Slaughtering an Animal in Sadaqah

QUESTION:

Is there any significance in slaughtering a sheep or goat for Sadaqah? Is it the spilling of blood, or the wealth that is spent along with the distribution of the meat?

ANSWER:

We could not locate any narration which states that Sadaqah is discharged by slaughtering an animal, and thereafter, giving the meat in charity. However, it should be borne in mind that Sadaqah in Shari’ah means, to give something for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala to the poor and needy. This can be done by either giving the cash, or buying meat and handing it over to the poor. It is not necessary to slaughter an animal.

Maulana Thanwi Rahimahullah has written that many people are under the impression that Sadaqah is only discharged by slaughtering an animal and distributing the meat amongst the poor. They further state that, ‘a life is in lieu of a life,’ whereas Shari‘ah oes not permit such a belief. Many people believe that calamities are removed by slaughtering animals which is Haraam. [Re: Fataawa Qaasmiyyah Pg.387 Vol.11].

  صدق کے معنی سچائی کے ہیں، غالباً صدقہ کا لفظ اسی سے ماخوذ ہے عند الشرع صدقہ ہر وہ عطیہ ہے جو بلا معاوضہ رضائے الہی کے لئے نادار فقیر اور محتاج ومسکین کو دیا جائے ۔ (مستفاد: قاموس الفقہ4/223)

(فتاوے قاسميہ 11/386)

الصدقة ج صدقات العطية التي يبتغى بها الثواب عند الله تعالى. (لغة الفقهاء ص272)

الصدقة بفتح الدال لغة ما يعطى على وجه التقرب إلى الله تعالى لا في على وجه الكرامة ويشمل هذا المعنى الزكواة وصدقة التطوع، وفي الاصطلاح تملیک فی الحیاة بغير عوض على وجه القربة إلى الله تعالى.(الموسوعة الفقهية 26/323)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 20 Dhul Qa’dah 1446 / 19 May 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb