In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…
هل يصح اشتراك عدد من الناس (من غير الحجاج) الاشتراك في ذبيحة، وهل تعتبر أضحية لكل منهم؟
QUESTION: Is it valid for a number of people (not pilgrims on Hajj) to share in the slaughtering of a sacrificial animal? If so, could that qualify as an Udhiyah Sacrifice for each of them?
ANSWER by the Permanent Committee for Religious Verdicts, headed by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him):
تسن الأضحية بالنسبة للمكلف المستطيع، ويجوز اشتراك سبعة في واحدة من الإبل سنها خمس سنوات أو أكثر، أو في واحدة من البقرة سنها سنتان فأكثر، وتجزئ الشاة عن الرجل وأهل بيته سنها سنة فأكثر إن كانت من المعز، أو ستة أشهر فأكثر إن كانت من الضأن.
The Udhiyah is a Sunnah for every sane, adult Muslim who is capable of offering it. It is allowed for seven people to share in the slaughtering of a single camel that is at least five years old, or a cow that is at least two years old. A single sheep suffices a man and the members of his household, so long as it is at least one year old for goats, or at least six months old if it is a lamb. [1]
وبالله التوفيق وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه وسلم.
And through Allah Alone is all success. May Allah raise the rank of our Prophet Muhammad, and that of his family and companions, and may He grant them all peace.
SOURCE: Fataawaa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, (11/393 of the first compilation), translated by Moosaa Richardson.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] An error has been corrected here. The six months and one year age requirements were mentioned in the wrong order for lamb and goats. (August 4, 2019)
Assalamu alaykum
Please clarify, is the sharing of the cow or camel permitted for a number below 7 as well? For example can 3 people share a cow?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Yes, up to seven heads of households (and no more) can share in the slaughter of a single camel or cow. And Allah knows best.