Distribution of the Qurbani Animal

QUESTION:-

Please clarify the following. It is our understanding that the distribution of the Qurbani animal should be done in three parts, viz. one part for the poor, one part for relatives, and one part for one’s self, OR the entire animal can be used for one’s self. Is that correct? If one distributes the head ,trotters, skin and internal organs, and then keeps the rest for one’s own use, is that permissible?

ANSWER:-

It is Mustahab that one third of the Qurbani animal is given to the poor, one third distributed amongst the family and relatives, and one third kept for oneself. This is recorded in the Kitaabs of Fiqh. The Kitaabs of Fiqh further state that if a person intends keeping the entire animal for himself, then there is no problem in doing so, as you have stated in your query as well. Similarly, if one keeps the meat and gives away parts of the animal such as the trotters, head, skin, etc. then too it is permissible, as there are no restrictions in Shariah which prevent one from doing so. The primary importance of Qurbani is the slaughtering, through which one attains the closeness of Allah Ta’ala. Thereafter, it is the decision of the individual whether he wants to retain any part of the animal or give it in charity, although it is Mustahab (preferable) to distribute the animal as mentioned above.

والأفضل أن يتصدق بالثلث ويتخذ الثلث ضيافة لأقاربه وأصدقائه ويدخر الثلث لقوله تعالى {فكلوا منها وأطعموا القانع والمعتر} [الحج: 36] وقوله – عز شأنه – {فكلوا منها وأطعموا البائس الفقير} [الحج: 28] وقول النبي – عليه الصلاة والسلام – «كنت نهيتكم عن لحوم الأضاحي فكلوا منها وادخروا» فثبت بمجموع الكتاب العزيز والسنة أن المستحب ما قلنا ولأنه يوم ضيافة الله – عز وجل – بلحوم القرابين فيندب إشراك الكل فيها ويطعم الفقير والغني جميعا لكون الكل أضياف الله تعالى – عز شأنه – في هذه الأيام وله أن يهبه منهما جميعا، ولو تصدق بالكل جاز ولو حبس الكل لنفسه جاز؛ لأن القربة في الإراقة. (بدائع الصنائع ص81 ج5)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY:-

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date:-  27 Dhul Hijjah 1444 / 17 July 2023