The Best Form of Charity and the Ruling on Placing Charity Meat Over the Head
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
In our society, it is commonly said that donating blood is the best form of charity. Similarly, when a person experiences a bad dream or faces an unusual event, he slaughters a goat or another animal as ṣadaqah.
In the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah, charity can take various forms, and in certain situations, slaughtering an animal can be the best form of charity. Feeding others has been given great importance in Qur’an and Hadith. Charity has also been prescribed as a means of removing calamities, difficulties, and illnesses.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«دَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ»
(Treat your sick by giving charity.)
(al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, Kitāb al-Jana’iz, Bāb Waḍ‘ al-Yad ‘ala al-Marīḍ, 3/382)
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله graded this narration as ḥasan (Ṣaḥīḥ wa Ḍa‘īf al-Jāmi‘ al-Ṣaghīr, 13/41).
In some cases, instead of slaughtering an animal, fulfilling a needy person’s urgent requirement is more beneficial. The Prophet ﷺ declared different forms of charity to be the most virtuous in different circumstances.
In one narration, Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
"Which charity is best?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
«سَقْيُ الْمَاءِ»
(Giving water to drink.)
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī, 3664)
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله also graded this narration as ḥasan (Ṣaḥīḥ wa Ḍa‘īf Sunan al-Nasā’ī, 8/236).
Therefore:
Regarding the practice of placing charity meat over one’s head seven times:
From a Shar‘i perspective, this act is an innovation (bid‘ah), as no action can be deemed part of the religion unless it is based on revelation (Qur’an and Sunnah).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.)
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 2697; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1718)
Placing charity meat on one’s head seven times is not proven in Shariah and falls under bid‘ah. It should be avoided. Charity should be given sincerely from the heart, and Allah is the One who grants the best reward.
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
Different Forms of Charity and Their Virtue
In our society, it is commonly said that donating blood is the best form of charity. Similarly, when a person experiences a bad dream or faces an unusual event, he slaughters a goat or another animal as ṣadaqah.
In the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah, charity can take various forms, and in certain situations, slaughtering an animal can be the best form of charity. Feeding others has been given great importance in Qur’an and Hadith. Charity has also been prescribed as a means of removing calamities, difficulties, and illnesses.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«دَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ»
(Treat your sick by giving charity.)
(al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, Kitāb al-Jana’iz, Bāb Waḍ‘ al-Yad ‘ala al-Marīḍ, 3/382)
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله graded this narration as ḥasan (Ṣaḥīḥ wa Ḍa‘īf al-Jāmi‘ al-Ṣaghīr, 13/41).
Choosing the Best Form of Charity According to Need
In some cases, instead of slaughtering an animal, fulfilling a needy person’s urgent requirement is more beneficial. The Prophet ﷺ declared different forms of charity to be the most virtuous in different circumstances.
In one narration, Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
"Which charity is best?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
«سَقْيُ الْمَاءِ»
(Giving water to drink.)
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī, 3664)
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله also graded this narration as ḥasan (Ṣaḥīḥ wa Ḍa‘īf Sunan al-Nasā’ī, 8/236).
Therefore:
- When there is food shortage in society, feeding others or slaughtering an animal for charity is best, as it includes both charity and, if intended, sacrifice for Allah’s pleasure.
- If a needy person’s urgent requirement is something other than food — such as water, medical treatment, or Islamic education — then the best charity is to fulfil that exact need.
The Ruling on Placing Charity Meat Over the Head Seven Times
Regarding the practice of placing charity meat over one’s head seven times:
- There is no evidence for this in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
- Neither the Prophet ﷺ nor the Companions رضي الله عنهم ever practiced this.
From a Shar‘i perspective, this act is an innovation (bid‘ah), as no action can be deemed part of the religion unless it is based on revelation (Qur’an and Sunnah).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.)
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 2697; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1718)
Conclusion
Placing charity meat on one’s head seven times is not proven in Shariah and falls under bid‘ah. It should be avoided. Charity should be given sincerely from the heart, and Allah is the One who grants the best reward.
