Legitimacy of Sharing Sacrifice in Cattle and Camels Explained

Is Sharing in the Sacrifice of Cattle and Camels Valid? A Detailed Explanation

Since last year, I have been receiving numerous messages from common people, students, and scholars from Bengal stating that some scholars do not accept the sharing of sacrifice in large animals like cattle and camels among seven people. They do not recognize the validity of sharing the sacrifice in this manner. Therefore, I have been asked to clarify this issue. I have often responded briefly by presenting a hadith, but it seems that there is still some confusion, and due to time constraints, I have not been able to provide a detailed explanation. Hence, today I am writing this article with some clarification, though still concise, in the hope that it will help clear the matter for both the general and special audiences and assist in resolving the differences in this contentious area.

In Sahih Muslim, under the Book of Hajj, there is a chapter titled: “بَابُ الِاشْتِرَاكِ فِي الْهَدْيِ وَإِجْزَاءِ الْبَقَرَةِ وَالْبَدَنَةِ كُلٍّ مِنْهُمَا عَنْ سَبْعَةٍ” (Chapter: Sharing in the sacrifice is permissible, and one camel or cow can be sufficient for seven people). In this chapter, there is a narration from Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), which is found in Sahih Muslim as well as in many other books of hadith such as Abu Dawood, Nasai, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Sunan al-Daraqutni, Sunan al-Darami, Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Imam Malik, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Mu’jam al-Kabir, Mu’jam al-Saghir, Mu’jam al-Awsat, Sunan al-Kubra, and Mustadrak al-Hakim. The narration is as follows:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، ح وحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، – وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ – قَالَ: قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ، قَالَ: نَحَرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَامَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ الْبَدَنَةَ عَنْ سَبْعَةٍ، وَالْبَقَرَةَ عَنْ سَبْعَةٍ
(صحيح مسلم:1318)

Translation:
Imam Malik narrated from Abu Zubair, who narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah (RA), who said: “We sacrificed a camel and a cow on behalf of seven people each, in the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during the year of Hudaybiyyah.” (Sahih Muslim: 1318)

In the 6th year of the Hijra, during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions were prevented from performing Umrah. They performed a sacrifice and shaved their heads to become halal. On this occasion, a camel and a cow were sacrificed on behalf of seven people each.

Since this hadith has been recorded in numerous books of hadith, let us now examine what the scholars and compilers of hadith have deduced from it by looking at the chapters and headings under which they have included this hadith.

1. Imam Abu Dawood has written a chapter under “Kitab al-Adahi” (Book of Sacrifices) titled: “باب في البقر والجزور عن كم تجزئ” (Chapter: How many people can a cow and a camel suffice for in sacrifice?).
   
2. Imam Nasai has written a chapter under “Kitab al-Dhahaya” (Book of Sacrifices) titled: “باب ما تجزئ عنه البقرة في الضحايا” (Chapter: How many people can a cow suffice for in sacrifice?).
   
3. Imam Tirmidhi has stated in his book: “كتاب الأضاحي عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم” (Book of Sacrifices of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ) and included a chapter: “باب ما جاء في الاشتراك في الأضحية” (Chapter: What is mentioned about sharing in the sacrifice).
   
4. Ibn Majah has written a chapter under “Kitab al-Adahi” titled: “باب عن كم تجزئ البدنة والبقرة” (Chapter: How many people can a camel and a cow suffice for in sacrifice?).
   
5. Imam Malik has written a chapter under “Kitab al-Dhahaya” titled: “باب الشركة في الضحايا وعن كم تذبح البقرة والبدنة” (Chapter: Sharing in the sacrifice and how many people can a cow and a camel suffice for?).
   
6. Sunan al-Darami states: “كتاب الأضاحي» باب البدنة عن سبعة والبقرة عن سبعة” (Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: A camel is for seven people, and a cow is for seven people).
   
7. Imam al-Bayhaqi has mentioned in his book: “كتاب الضحايا» باب الاشتراك في الهدي والأضحية” (Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: Sharing in the sacrifice of Hadi and Udhiyah).
   

The term Hadi specifically refers to the sacrifice during Hajj, while Udhiyah refers to the animal slaughtered for the sake of Allah during Eid al-Adha. By using both terms, Imam al-Bayhaqi has clearly indicated that just as a camel or a cow can be shared by seven people in the Hajj sacrifice, it can also be shared by seven people during the Eid sacrifice.

Several scholars have used the terms Udhiya (sacrifice) and Dhahaya (sacrificial animals) interchangeably to refer to Eid sacrifices.

The hadith also provides evidence for the legitimacy of a shared sacrifice for large animals like camels and cows, as narrated during the incident of Umrah.

Objections and Their Responses Regarding Sharing in the Sacrifice of Large Animals

The objection raised by some people is that residents (Muqim) cannot share in the sacrifice of large animals, like camels and cows, if they are from different households. They argue that the hadith regarding sharing in the sacrifice applies only to travelers (Musafir). There are several responses to this objection:

First Response:
We must understand the evidence of the Qur’an and Sunnah in light of the understanding of the Salaf (early scholars). Otherwise, anyone can interpret them in any way they wish and twist their meanings to suit their own objectives. In light of the understanding of the Salaf, we have already concluded from the hadith of Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) that up to seven people can share in the sacrifice of a cow or camel, whether for Hajj or for Eid al-Adha.

Second Response:
During Hajj, the pilgrims do not consider the concept of travel, but rather they follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This is why the people of Makkah, who are residents, still shorten their prayers while in Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. This indicates that the sacrifice is not related to travel but to Hajj, Umrah, and Eid al-Adha.

Third Response:
If someone restricts the sacrifice of Hudaybiyyah or the sacrifice of a pilgrim to only Hajj, then the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ: “كلُّ أيامِ التشريقِ ذَبحٌ”
(السلسلة الصحيحة: 2476)
Translation: “All the days of Tashriq are days of slaughter (sacrifice).”
This hadith makes it clear that the sacrifice is not restricted to the four days of Hajj, and thus, it indicates that certain actions related to Hajj are not exclusive but are general.

Fourth Response:
Even general terms in the hadith provide evidence for sharing in the sacrifice of large animals. For instance, Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“البَقرةُ عن سَبعةٍ، والجَزورُ عن سَبعةٍ”
(صحيح أبي داود:2808)
Translation: “A cow is sufficient for seven people, and a camel is sufficient for seven people.”
The general wording of this hadith makes it clear that the Prophet ﷺ referred to both Hajj and Eid al-Adha sacrifices. If this hadith does not make it clear to someone, there is an even clearer hadith that leaves no room for further discussion.

Imam Tabarani narrated in his Mu’jam al-Awsat (Hadith: 6128) and Mu’jam al-Kabir (Hadith: 10026) from Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“البقرةُ عن سبعةٍ ، والجزُورُ عن سبعةٍ في الأَضاحِي.”
Translation: “A cow is for seven people, and a camel is for seven people in sacrifice.”
This hadith was declared Sahih by Al-Albani (رحمه الله) in Sahih al-Jami’ (Hadith: 2890). In this hadith, the term “Udhiyah” is specifically used, which refers to the sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha.

Clarification of an Important Point:

Once, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions were traveling when the time for the sacrifice arrived. At that time, the Prophet ﷺ distributed the war booty. Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrated:
“كنَّا معَ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ في سفَرٍ، فحضرَ الأضحى، فاشترَكْنا في البقرةِ سبعةً، وفي البعيرِ عشرةً”
(صحيح الترمذي:1501)
Translation: “We were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on a journey when the day of sacrifice arrived, and we shared in the sacrifice of a cow with seven people and a camel with ten people.”
This narration is found in several hadith collections. The important point to note is that wherever this hadith mentions travel, it mentions that ten people shared in the sacrifice of a camel. However, in the case of Hudaybiyyah, the sacrifice of a camel is mentioned as being for seven people. Imam Shawkaani reconcile these two narrations by explaining that during the journey, the Prophet ﷺ distributed the war booty, considering one camel to be equivalent to ten sheep. This is supported by the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith: 2500). Therefore, the narration regarding travel relates to the distribution of war booty.

Clarifications on the Related Issues:

• Seven People Can Share in the Sacrifice of Large Animals:
  It is permissible for fewer than seven people to share in the sacrifice of large animals because if seven people can share, it is certainly acceptable for fewer people to do so, and even preferable in some cases.
  
• Sharing in Sacrifice with Multiple Households:
  As was the case during the year of Hudaybiyyah, it is permissible for people from different households to share in the sacrifice of a cow or camel. The hadith clearly states that seven people can share in the sacrifice, and this can apply to multiple households.
  
• Residents and Travelers:
  Just as seven people can share the sacrifice of a large animal for travelers, the same applies to residents because the hadith is general and includes both travelers and residents.
  
• Some Scholars’ Opinion on Sharing in the Sacrifice for Hadi (Hajj Sacrifice):
  Some scholars have prohibited sharing in the Hadi (sacrifice for Hajj), but the correct view is that it is permissible for up to seven people to share in the sacrifice of a camel or cow, and this is established through authentic texts.
  
• No Evidence of Sharing in Aqeeqah for Large Animals:
  There is no evidence of large animals being used for Aqeeqah (the sacrifice for a newborn), so a small animal should be sacrificed for Aqeeqah. Since there is no evidence for sharing in Aqeeqah with large animals, this issue does not arise.
  
• One Person Can Sacrifice a Large Animal Alone:
  There is no harm in one person sacrificing a large animal, like a cow or camel, alone. As mentioned earlier, fewer than seven people can share in the sacrifice of large animals, so a single person may also perform the sacrifice.
  

In summary, the general principles established through authentic narrations allow for sharing in the sacrifice of large animals, whether for Hajj, Umrah, or Eid al-Adha, and this practice is valid both for travelers and residents.