Qurbani Animal Issues: Defects, Death & Injury Rulings New

Islamic Rulings for Sacrificial Animal Problems: Defects After Purchase, Death, and Injuries

---

This document addresses several common questions regarding unforeseen circumstances and defects related to animals intended for Eid al-Adha sacrifice.

1. A Defect Developing After Purchase

Question: If a person buys an animal for sacrifice and a defect develops in it after the purchase, for example, its leg breaks or it becomes one-eyed, what should be done in such a situation?

It is indeed correct that the sacrifice of a one-eyed or lame animal is not permissible. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا يَجْزِينَ فِي الْأَضَاحِيِّ : الْعَوْرَاءُ الْبَيِّنُ عَوَرُهَا ، وَالْمَرِيضَةُ الْبَيِّنُ مَرَضُهَا ، وَالْعَرْجَاءُ الْبَيِّنُ ظَلْعُهَا ، وَالْكَسِيرَةُ الَّتِي لَا تُنْقِي

“Four (types of) animals are not permissible for sacrifice: one that is clearly one-eyed, one that is clearly sick, one that is clearly lame, and one that is so emaciated that there is no marrow in its bones.”

(Sunan Abi Dawood 2802; its chain is authentic and it was declared Sahih by al-Tirmidhi: 1497, Ibn Khuzaymah: 2912, Ibn Hibban: 1046, 1047, Ibn al-Jarud: 481, 907, and al-Hakim 1/467, with which al-Dhahabi agreed)

This applies when one is selecting an animal for sacrifice.

However, if a sound animal was purchased for sacrifice and a defect developed in it afterwards, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) says:

ان كان اصابها بعد ما اشتر يتموها فأمضوها وان كان اصابها بل أن تشتروها فأبدلوها

“If the defect occurred after you bought it, then go ahead and sacrifice it. But if the defect was present before you bought it, then you should replace it, meaning, sacrifice another animal.”

(Al-Sunan al-Kubra, Vol. 9, p. 289, with an authentic chain of narration)

The renowned and trustworthy Imam of Ahlus Sunnah and the great Tabi’i, Imam Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri (may Allah have mercy on him) states:

“If a person buys an animal for sacrifice and it then falls ill while in his possession, it is permissible to sacrifice that animal.”

(Musannaf Abd al-Razzaq 4/386, Hadith 8161, with an authentic chain; another version: 8192)

In conclusion, in the scenario described, it is permissible to sacrifice the animal.

This is what I know, and Allah knows best what is correct.

Fatawa Ilmiyyah, Volume 1: Principles, Authentication, and Research of Narrations – Page 653

---

2. An Animal for a Collective Sacrifice Died One Day Before Eid

Question: After greetings, I seek guidance on the Islamic ruling for the following issue: An animal for a collective sacrifice was lethargic from the evening of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. A veterinarian was consulted, but it did not recover. Finally, it died late at night. Does another animal need to be purchased for the sacrifice, or…?

Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) says in Al-Mughni (9/353):

“If the sacrificial animal perishes without any negligence or fault of his own, or is stolen, or gets lost, he is not liable for anything, because the sacrificial animal was a trust with him. Since he was not negligent, he is not responsible for it, just as one is not responsible for a trust.” End quote.

For more, see: “Al-Insaf” by al-Mardawi (4/71).

If a person themselves, or someone else, causes the death of the sacrificial animal, the one responsible for its demise will be liable for its value or a replacement.

Imam Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) says in Al-Mughni (9/352):

“If a mandatory sacrificial animal is destroyed, he will be liable for its value, because the animal has a monetary value, and the value will be determined as of the day it was destroyed.”

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

“When a person has a firm intention to do an act and strives to the best of their ability, in the Shari’ah, they are considered as having completed the act. They receive the full reward for completing the act, and [if the act deserves punishment] they also receive the full punishment for it. Meaning, they receive the reward or punishment for the part that was beyond their ability [but which they tried their utmost to accomplish], just as those who participate in good deeds receive a reward.”

Taken from: Majmu’ al-Fatawa (10 / 722-723)

Also see: Majmu’ al-Fatawa (23 / 236)

Islam Question & Answer

---

3. Is the Sacrifice of a Barren Goat Permissible?

Question: What do the scholars of Islam say regarding this matter: is the sacrifice of a barren goat permissible or not in the Shari’ah?

In the detailed descriptions of defects that disqualify an animal for sacrifice mentioned in the books of Hadith, infertility (barrenness) is not listed as a defect. Therefore, there should be no doubt about the permissibility of sacrificing such an animal, and the scholars are of the view that its sacrifice is permissible. For instance, Mufti Aziz-ur-Rahman Deobandi states that the sacrifice of a barren animal is valid.

(Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband: Vol. 1, p. 74)

Furthermore, in our view, just as the meat of a castrated animal is more delicious and desirable than that of a non-castrated one, the meat of a barren goat is better than that of a fertile one. Therefore, there is no need for any doubt regarding its sacrifice.

Fatawa Muhammadiyah / Volume: 1 / Page: 610

---

4. A Purchased Sacrificial Animal is Now Severely Ill, and the Owner Cannot Afford Another

Question: Sir, a friend of mine bought a sacrificial animal. That animal has now become severely ill and does not seem likely to survive. If this animal dies, what should be done? Will he have to buy another one? He bought this animal for 71,000 and his financial situation is such that he absolutely cannot afford another one. He asked a Mufti who said that if the animal dies, he must perform the sacrifice no matter what, because it is obligatory for him. What should be done now? Please reply quickly.

According to the more authoritative view, the sacrifice (Qurbani) is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), not an obligation (Fard or Wajib). If this animal dies, Allah willing, the owner will surely receive the reward according to his intention. May Allah grant the animal health. If, God forbid, it dies and the brother does not have the means to buy another, then he is excused in the sight of Allah, and there is no sin upon him. However, if the brother can afford to buy another animal, even a cheaper one, he should certainly participate in this noble act.

Fatwa Committee

---

5. An Animal Getting Injured Just Before Being Slaughtered

Question: I bought a perfectly healthy ram several days before Eid. While bringing it down the stairs for slaughter, its leg got injured (about an hour before the slaughter). Does this count as a disqualifying defect for the sacrifice?

The author of Zad al-Mustaqni’ states:

“(If it (the sacrificial animal) becomes defective and is then slaughtered, the sacrifice is valid…).”

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) explains with an example:

“A person bought a sacrificial animal, and after designating it for sacrifice, its leg broke, and it became unable to walk with the healthy animals. If he slaughters it in this condition, the sacrifice will be valid. This is because once it was designated, it became a trust in his possession. Since it is a trust, and the defect was not caused by his action or negligence, he bears no liability, and the sacrifice is valid.”

See: Al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn Uthaymin (7 / 515)

---

6. An Animal Fell and Was Slaughtered Before It Died. Does It Count as a Sacrifice?

Question: Our sacrificial animal fell from the roof of our house, and the family members slaughtered it before it died. Is this permissible?

Your question seems to imply that you slaughtered the animal before the Eid prayer. If that is the case, it will not count as a sacrifice, because a condition for the sacrifice is that it must be slaughtered during the prescribed time, which is the day of Eid and the three days following it.

Jundab ibn Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he was present with the Prophet (peace be upon him) for the Eid al-Adha prayer. After the prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw a slaughtered sheep and said:

“Whoever slaughtered before the prayer should slaughter another one in its place, and whoever has not slaughtered should do so in the name of Allah.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 942; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1960).

Based on this, if this animal was your intended sacrifice, you must slaughter another one in its place.

However, if you slaughtered the animal during the time of sacrifice and had purchased it with the intention of sacrifice, then it will suffice and be counted as a valid sacrifice, even if its bone broke from the fall.

As for the validity of slaughtering the animal in that state, if you slaughtered it before it died, the act was correct. Allah the Exalted has forbidden (the meat of) an animal that dies from strangulation, a violent blow, a fall (as in your case), being gored to death, or being partially eaten by a predator. However, if such animals are properly slaughtered in the Islamic manner before they die, they are lawful to eat.

Allah the Exalted says:

﴿ حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ ﴾

“Forbidden to you are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a predator has eaten – except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death]…”

(Al-Ma’idah: 3).

Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) in his commentary on this verse, explains that the phrase “except what you [are able to] slaughter” refers to the aforementioned animals if one is able to reach them and slaughter them properly before they die.

Ka’b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that one of his female servants was herding goats on the mountain of Sal’ (in Madinah) when she noticed a goat was about to die. She took a sharp stone and slaughtered it. He told his family not to eat it until he had asked the Prophet (peace be upon him). When he asked, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) permitted them to eat it.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2181)

Islam Question & Answer

---

وَبِاللهِ التَّوْفِيْقُ

هٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللهُ تَعَالَىٰ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ