Can a Person in Debt Perform Qurbani? Islamic Insights
Ruling on a Debtor Performing Qurbani
Despite extensive research in Islamic Shari’ah, we have not found any evidence that proves that a person in debt cannot perform the Qurbani or that Qurbani cannot be done by taking a loan. However, it is certainly necessary that after taking a loan, one should try to repay it as soon as possible, as it is stated in the Hadith:
“The soul of the son of Adam remains suspended because of debt until it is paid off.”
[Musnad Imam Ahmad, p. 501, vol. 2.]
Similarly, a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What will I get if I am martyred while fighting in the way of Allah?” He replied, “Paradise.” When the man was about to leave, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Jibril (Gabriel), peace be upon him, has just whispered in my ear that in such circumstances, the debt will not be forgiven.”
[Musnad Imam Ahmad, p. 325, vol. 3.]
Despite such a stern warning regarding debt, it absolutely does not mean that if a person in debt performs the Qurbani, his sacrifice will not be accepted. Rather, Qurbani is an act of worship for which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has greatly encouraged. Therefore, if a debtor can also attain closeness to Allah through an act of worship like Qurbani, he should certainly do so. It is possible that Allah the Exalted, from His unseen treasures, will create a way for him to repay the debt.
Source: Fatawa Ashab al-Hadith, Volume 3, Page 401
Prioritizing Debt Repayment vs. Qurbani
Question: If a person has a significant amount of debt outstanding, should he perform the Qurbani on Eid al-Adha before paying off the debt or not, given that the debt repayment is proceeding according to an agreed-upon plan?
Answer: Undoubtedly, the repayment of debt is obligatory and necessary. However, if a person believes that he can easily repay the debt even after performing the Qurbani, he should definitely participate in such a magnificent act. But if after performing the Qurbani, it becomes difficult for him to pay the debt amount, then the debt must be paid first, and the money allocated for the Qurbani should also be used to pay off the debt. This is because repaying the debt is fard (obligatory) and wajib (necessary), while performing the Qurbani is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasized Sunnah). The fulfillment of what is obligatory takes precedence over an emphasized Sunnah. Debt pertains to Huquq al-‘Ibad (the rights of the people), which cannot be rectified without being fulfilled. And one has no knowledge of when one’s life will end. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not lead the funeral prayer for anyone until he had ascertained that the person was free of debt. If the deceased had a debt, he would first order its payment and only then would he lead the funeral prayer.
Source: Fatwa Committee
Obligation of Debt vs. Sunnah of Qurbani
Repayment of debt is obligatory and necessary. If a person believes that he can easily repay the debt even after performing the Qurbani, he should definitely participate in such a magnificent act as Qurbani.
However, if after performing the Qurbani, it becomes difficult for him to pay the debt amount, then the debt must be paid first, and the money for the Qurbani should also be used to pay off the debt. This is because repaying the debt is fard (obligatory) and wajib (necessary), while performing the Qurbani is Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasized Sunnah). The fulfillment of what is obligatory takes precedence over an emphasized Sunnah.
Debt pertains to Huquq al-‘Ibad (the rights of the people), which cannot be rectified without being fulfilled. And one has no knowledge of when one’s life will end. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not lead the funeral prayer for anyone until he had ascertained that the person was free of debt. If the deceased had a debt, he would first order its payment and only then would he lead the funeral prayer.
Source: Fatawa Ulema-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salat, Volume 1
Taking a Sacrificial Animal on Credit
There is no harm in acquiring a sacrificial animal on credit. Just as a person fulfills other small and necessary needs on credit, this too is a religious necessity. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) accomplished major religious tasks on credit. In Mishkat, Bab al-Iflas, p. 252, it is mentioned that he once took on a debt of forty thousand. In Bab al-Riba, there is another hadith of a similar nature. Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) became heavily indebted due to religious necessities (Fath al-Bari). Qurbani is a minor credit; what is the harm in it? However, if after taking the credit, he harasses his creditor and is negligent in repaying on the agreed time, then there is a risk of his act of worship being wasted. That is why special care is required in the repayment of a loan taken for a good deed.
Source: Fatawa Ahl-e-Hadith: p. 416, vol. 2, cited in Fatawa Muhammadiyah, Volume 1, Page 593
Financial Means (Istita’at) for Qurbani
To perform the Qurbani, it is necessary to have the financial means (sahib-e-istita’at), as stated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever has the means to offer a sacrifice but does not do so, he should not come near our Eid prayer-ground.”
(Ibn Majah, Al-Adahi: 3123)
This hadith proves that having the means is necessary for Qurbani. If someone does not have the capacity to offer a sacrifice, they should not do so. Regarding a person in debt, their debt should be assessed. If it is a minor debt that is commonly incurred in daily life and can be easily repaid, then in such circumstances, one should not miss out on the blessing of Qurbani. However, if the debt is very large and they do not have the ability to repay it, then they should focus on clearing their debt instead of performing the Qurbani. In such a situation, the ability to perform Qurbani is considered non-existent, and that person should not offer the sacrifice.
Nevertheless, this is a matter of devotion. If, hoping for the mercy of Allah, a person performs the sacrifice even in such circumstances, then Allah the Exalted, through His mercy, will create a way for their debt to be repaid. Allah the Exalted does not deprive a person of His mercy who demonstrates generosity in spending in His path.
Source: Fatawa Ashab al-Hadith, Volume 4, Page 362
وَبِاللَّهِ التَّوْفِيقُ
(And with Allah is all success)
هَٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
(This is what I know, and Allah the Exalted knows best what is correct)
