Sacrificing Animals While in Debt: What Should Be Prioritized?

Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth – Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1

❖ The Question​

“A person is under considerable debt. Can he offer the Eid al-Aḍḥā sacrifice before repaying his debt, even if the repayment is scheduled and being managed?”

❖ The Ruling​

✔ Priority of Debt Repayment Over Sacrifice

Repaying debt is obligatory and mandatory in Islam. If the person believes that he can comfortably repay his debt even after performing the sacrifice, then he should participate in this great act of worship.

However, if offering the sacrifice would make debt repayment difficult, then repaying the debt must be given precedence, and the money intended for sacrifice should instead be used to repay the loan.

❖ Legal Foundation​

• Debt repayment is farḍ (obligatory), while ʿUḍḥiyyah (sacrifice) is a Sunnah Muʾakkadah (emphasized Sunnah).
• Obligatory acts take precedence over Sunnah actions.

❖ The Seriousness of Debt in Islam​

Debt falls under the category of ḥuqūq al-ʿibād (rights of people), and cannot be compensated unless fully paid. Life is uncertain, and no one knows when it may end.

Even the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not offer the funeral prayer for someone until it was confirmed that the deceased had no unpaid debts. If the deceased had debts, he would first instruct for their repayment before performing the janāzah (funeral) prayer.

❖ Conclusion​

If you are in debt:

• ➤ Prioritize repaying the debt if the sacrifice would burden you financially.
• ➤ Offer the sacrifice if you can comfortably afford both.

This approach aligns with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.