Slaughtering for Saints: A Forbidden Act of Shirk in Islam

❖ Slaughtering for Others Besides Allah: Worship or Shirk? ❖
Adapted from the original work of Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amani Puri (Hafizahullah), organized with titles and structured formatting for clarity.

◈ Idolatry and Islam​

Idolatry in its essence was veneration of saints. Even the idols of the Quraysh of Makkah were named and shaped after pious individuals. Islam came to eliminate this practice, and the Prophet ﷺ was sent for this very purpose. Yet, in later times, some Muslims revived these actions under the guise of devotion and love.

◈ Slaughtering in the Name of Saints​

Among such practices is the slaughtering of animals in the name of saints. Just as the polytheists of Makkah used to dedicate animals to their idols, some modern-day Muslims now dedicate animals to specific shrines or saints. These animals are often considered sacred and are not used for work or consumption, bearing identification of a particular shrine.

◈ Where Lies the Difference?​

The only difference is in names. Polytheists called their animals by names like Baḥīrah, Sāʾibah, Waṣīlah, and Ḥām—dedicated to idols like Isāf, Nāʾilah, and Manāt. Today, people say: "This camel is for such-and-such shrine," or "This goat is for such-and-such vow."

◈ Slaughtering for Others Besides Allah is Shirk​

Slaughtering in the name of anyone other than Allah is shirk (polytheism) and kufr (disbelief). Eating such meat is ḥarām. All blessings, including animals, are from Allah and should only be dedicated to Him.

"Say, indeed my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He..."
(Sūrah al-Anʿām: 162–163)

◈ Explanation from Tafsir​

According to Ibn Kathīr, this verse commands the Prophet ﷺ to differ from the polytheists, who slaughter in the name of others besides Allah.

◈ Types of Worship​

All forms of worship—supplication, love, fear, hope, reliance, slaughtering, and vows—must be for Allah alone. Associating anyone in these acts constitutes shirk.

◈ Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ​

ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“May Allah curse the one who slaughters for anyone besides Allah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1978)

This hadith clearly declares such a practice cursed and prohibited.

◈ Quranic Evidence​

“And that which is slaughtered for other than Allah...”
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 173)

◈ Hanafi Perspective​

Even the Ḥanafī school agrees: If at the time of slaughter, Allah's name is combined with another’s (e.g., “In the name of Allah and so-and-so”), the meat becomes ḥarām.

◈ Refuting Misconceptions​

Some say if Allah’s name is mentioned at the time of slaughter—even if dedicated earlier to a saint—it’s permissible. But the Quran says:

“...that upon which other than Allah’s name has been invoked...”
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 173)
This includes any stage of association, not just the moment of slaughter.

◈ Niyyah and Slaughtering​

Intent (niyyah) matters greatly in slaughter. If an animal is vowed for a saint, the slaughter is for other than Allah—even if Allah’s name is pronounced—and thus ḥarām.

Ibn Taymiyyah wrote:
"An animal slaughtered for other than Allah, even if Allah’s name is uttered, is still ḥarām."
(Iqtiḍāʾ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm: 2/64)

◈ Legal Verdicts​

• Ibn Ḥajar: The verse applies to animals slaughtered with raised voices invoking other than Allah.
• al-Durr al-Mukhtār: If a person slaughters an animal in honor of a dignitary, the meat is ḥarām, regardless of whether Allah’s name was pronounced.
  

◈ Nuzūr and Dedicating to Saints​

Dedicating animals or offerings in the name of saints is a form of shirk. All acts of devotion, including vows and sacrifices, must be solely for Allah.

◈ Quranic Condemnation​

“And those animals slaughtered on altars (shrines)...”
(Sūrah al-Māʾidah: 3)
Clearly forbids animals sacrificed at graves or shrines, regardless of verbal invocation.

◈ Polytheistic Practices Condemned​

“They assign a portion of what We have provided them to that which they do not know...”
(Sūrah al-Naḥl: 56)
This refers to the false share given to idols and saints from Allah’s provisions.

◈ False Customs: Baḥīrah, Sāʾibah, etc.​

“Allah has not instituted Baḥīrah, Sāʾibah, Waṣīlah, or Ḥām. These are lies invented by disbelievers...”
(Sūrah al-Māʾidah: 103)

These were animals dedicated to idols, which Allah categorically rejected.

◈ Conclusion​

✔ Slaughtering animals in the name of anyone besides Allah is ḥarām and shirk.
✔ Such practices mirror pre-Islamic idolatry.
✔ Devotions like sacrifice or vows are only for Allah.
✔ The Qur’an and Sunnah strongly condemn such acts.

May Allah protect us from all forms of shirk. Āmīn.