❀ Validity of 10 Shares in a Camel and 7 in a Cow for Sacrifice
✿ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
✦ Shares in Camel and Cow Sacrifice
It is permissible for ten individuals to share in the sacrifice of a camel, and seven individuals in the sacrifice of a cow. This ruling is supported by the following narration:
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى سفر فحضر الأضحى فاشتركنا فى الجزور عن عشرة والبقرة عن سبعة
“Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on a journey, and the time of sacrifice came. We shared one camel among ten people and one cow among seven.”
[Sahih: Sahih Ibn Majah: 2536; Ibn Majah: 3131; Book of Sacrifice: Chapter: On how many a camel and cow suffice, Tirmidhi: 905; Nasa’i: 4404; Ahmad: 2484]
✦ Another Supporting Hadith
Another narration further confirms this issue. Rafi‘ bin Khadij (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“We were with the Prophet ﷺ at Dhul-Hulaifah. We caught some goats and camels. The people slaughtered them quickly, placed the pots on the fire, and began to cook. The Prophet ﷺ arrived and instructed that the pots be overturned.”
ثم عدل عشرة من الغنم بجزور
“Then he equated ten goats with one camel.”
[Bukhari: 2507, Book of Partnership: Chapter: One who equates ten goats with a camel in division; Nasa’i: 4403, Book of Sacrifices: Chapter: What a camel suffices for in sacrifice; Abu Dawud: 2821; Tirmidhi: 1492]
✦ Hadith Indicating Seven Shares in Camel
There are also narrations indicating that only seven people may share in a camel, such as the hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
البقرة عن سبعة والجزور عن سبعة
“A cow may be sacrificed on behalf of seven people, and a camel also on behalf of seven people.”
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawud: 2434; Abu Dawud: 2808, Book of Sacrifices: Chapter: How many people a cow and a camel suffice for]
✦ Scholarly Interpretation of the Difference
Some scholars opine that these narrations (indicating only seven shares) pertain specifically to sacrifices during Hajj, meaning that during Hajj only seven people may share in a camel.
Others consider this difference as a divine concession, permitting either seven or ten individuals to share in the sacrifice of a camel.
و الله أعلم
✦ Sacrificing Alone is Also Permissible
In addition, if one has the financial ability, an individual may sacrifice a camel or a cow alone. This is evident from a narration of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نحر عن آل محمد فى حجة الوداع بقرة واحدة
“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sacrificed one cow on behalf of the family of Muhammad during the Farewell Pilgrimage.”
[Sahih: Sahih Ibn Majah: 2540; Ibn Majah: 3135; Book of Sacrifices: Chapter: On how many a camel and cow suffice]
✔Conclusion:
The hadith evidence allows up to ten participants in a camel sacrifice and seven in a cow, though narrations specifying seven may pertain to the context of Hajj. An individual may also sacrifice alone if capable. Differences in narrations are accommodated through scholarly interpretation, acknowledging flexibility and ease in Shariah.
