The Committed Believer · Sacrifice & the Newborn

Udhiyah and Aqeeqah Roles & Practices

Explore who can perform 'aqeeqah and udhiyah, and how these rites are conducted.

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1. Can a grandfather perform ‘aqeeqah for his grandchildren?

  • Yes, this is permissible. (correct answer)
  • No, only the parents may ever perform it.
  • Only if both parents have died.
  • Only if the child has reached puberty.

Why

The basic responsibility for ‘aqeeqah belongs to the father, but someone else may perform it in valid cases. A grandfather may perform ‘aqeeqah for his grandchild, as the Prophet ﷺ did for al-Hasan and al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما. If a grandfather offered one sheep for a boy, the father may later offer another sheep to complete the Sunnah of two sheep, but leaving it as one sheep is also acceptable according to the source.

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2. What is the preferred way to fulfil ‘aqeeqah?

  • Slaughter the prescribed animal. (correct answer)
  • Give the price of the animal in charity instead.
  • Buy ordinary meat instead of slaughtering.
  • Pray extra prayers instead of offering the sacrifice.

Why

‘Aqeeqah is fulfilled by offering the prescribed sacrifice, not by merely giving its price in charity or buying meat. The purpose of ‘aqeeqah is to draw closer to Allah through the act of sacrifice itself. For this reason, sacrificing the animal is better than giving its price in charity, even if the amount given is more than the animal’s value. The Standing Committee stated that paying money or buying meat does not take the place of slaughtering the ‘aqeeqah.

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3. What is normally preferable for someone who wants to offer udhiyah?

  • Slaughter the udhiyah and make the ritual manifest. (correct answer)
  • Donate its price instead in every case.
  • Omit it whenever spending Eid alone.
  • Replace it with ordinary charity every year.

Why

Offering the udhiyah is a confirmed Sunnah and should not be omitted without an excuse. Slaughtering it is normally better than donating its price, because by slaughtering it one draws closer to Allah and makes the ritual manifest. If there is a needy family, the person may give them extra charity, give them a larger share of the meat, or delegate someone to slaughter the udhiyah where there are many needy people. If the needy family requires money and he has no other money, then giving charity instead may be allowed in that special case.

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4. Who may offer the udhiyah if they are able to do so?

  • Men and women, married or unmarried. (correct answer)
  • Only men.
  • Only married people.
  • Only heads of households.

Why

Udhiyah is a confirmed Sunnah for the one who is able to offer it, whether male or female. There is no evidence limiting it to men, married people, residents, or heads of households. An unmarried woman may offer udhiyah on her own behalf. If she offers it, the same rulings apply to her as to men, including refraining from removing hair, nails, or skin after the beginning of Dhu’l-Hijjah until the sacrifice is offered.

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5. Can a Muslim appoint someone else to slaughter their udhiyah?

  • Yes, appointing another Muslim to slaughter it is valid. (correct answer)
  • No, only the owner may slaughter it personally.
  • Yes, but it must be slaughtered before the Eid prayer.
  • Only if both people are in the same country.

Why

A Muslim may appoint another Muslim to slaughter the udhiyah on their behalf, though it is best to slaughter it oneself unless there is a need. The udhiyah must be slaughtered within its proper time, which begins after the Eid prayer. If the one appointed is in a different country from the one who appointed him, then the relevant timing is the Eid prayer time in the country of the person appointed to slaughter, not the country of the one who appointed him.

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6. May udhiyah meat be given to a non-Muslim neighbour?

  • Yes, especially if the person is a relative, neighbour, or poor. (correct answer)
  • No, unless the person first becomes Muslim.
  • No, because udhiyah meat may only be eaten by Muslims.
  • Only if no Muslims need the meat.

Why

There is nothing wrong with giving some udhiyah meat to a non-Muslim, especially if the person is a relative, neighbour, or poor. This comes under kindness and just treatment toward those who are not fighting Muslims or driving them from their homes. The source also cites the importance of treating neighbours kindly and mentions that voluntary charity may be given to non-Muslims who are not in a state of war with Muslims.

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7. May someone offer a separate udhiyah on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ?

  • No, because there is no proven evidence for that practice. (correct answer)
  • Yes, it is highly encouraged.
  • Yes, if the intention is sincere.
  • Only if the person is from the Prophet’s ﷺ descendants.

Why

Acts of worship are not introduced unless there is proven evidence for them. The source states that it is not permissible to offer a separate udhiyah on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ, because the hadith used to support that practice is not authentic. If someone wants to increase the Prophet’s ﷺ reward, they should do righteous deeds themselves, because the Prophet ﷺ receives a reward like that of those who follow the guidance he taught.

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8. May a woman offer udhiyah specifically on behalf of her husband?

  • Yes, if she has his permission. (correct answer)
  • Yes, even if he refuses and it is specifically for him.
  • No, because only men may offer udhiyah.
  • Only if she is unable to offer one for herself.

Why

Udhiyah is prescribed for both men and women. If a woman offers udhiyah on her own behalf and on behalf of her household, her husband is included among the household members. But if she wants the udhiyah to be specifically on behalf of her husband, then she must have his permission, because udhiyah is an act of worship and an act of worship done on behalf of someone else requires that person’s permission and intention.

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9. If a woman can afford udhiyah and the head of the household refuses to offer it, what may she do?

  • Offer udhiyah on behalf of herself and her household. (correct answer)
  • Omit it because only the head of household may do it.
  • Offer it only if she has no children.
  • Offer it only if every household member gives written permission.

Why

Udhiyah is encouraged for both men and women. If the head of the household refuses to perform this ritual, a woman who can afford it may offer udhiyah from her own wealth on behalf of herself and her household. She may do this herself or appoint someone to buy and slaughter it on her behalf. The source states that this may be done with or without the husband’s knowledge or permission, because udhiyah is a Sunnah for everyone.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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