Eid al-Adha is just around the corner. One of the most frequently asked questions leading up to Eid al-Adha has resurfaced: Is it permissible to make the intention to offer a sacrifice on behalf of the entire family using a single animal? This is a reasonable question, given that not all families can afford to slaughter a sacrificial animal individually. Here is a detailed explanation based on religious texts and the opinions of Islamic scholars.
Qurbani is a form of worship performed once a year and is considered a strongly recommended sunnah—highly encouraged for every Muslim who is able. Usually, qurbani is performed in an individual’s name, but what is the ruling if the intention for qurbani is made on behalf of an entire family?
Qurbani Offering on Behalf of a Family for One Goat
Some scholars of the Maliki school permit the qurban of one goat on behalf of a family, provided three conditions are met:
- Living together under one roof
- Being related by blood
- Being financially supported by the same person (the head of the household)
If these three conditions are met, the sacrifice is considered valid, and each family member still receives the reward of sacrificing a goat.
Fatwa of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Issuing Fatwas (Saudi Arabia)
The Research and Scientific Fatwa Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once received a similar question: a family consisting of 22 members, living in one house, and supported by a single source of income, wishes to perform the sacrifice with a single goat during Eid al-Adha. Is this valid?
The scholars of Al Lajnah Ad Daimah responded: Qurban on behalf of the family is permitted, provided they live under the same roof, maintain family ties, and their livelihood is supported by a single head of household. Each family member receives a reward equivalent to the qurban of one goat. However, it is more virtuous if the family qurbani more than one animal.
Hadith Evidence Regarding Sacrifice on Behalf of a Family
First Hadith: Narrated by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (HR Tirmidhi)
From ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar, who said: “I asked Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, ‘How were the qurbani performed among you during the time of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him?’” He said: “A man would offer a sheep as a qurbani on behalf of himself and his household.”
Atha’ bin Yasar said: “I asked Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, ‘How were the sacrifices performed during the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him?’” Abu Ayyub replied: “During the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, a man (the husband) would sacrifice a sheep as an offering for himself and his family. They would eat it and distribute it to everyone.”
(Narrated by Tirmidhi, deemed authentic: Minhaj al-Muslim, pp. 26 and 266)
Second Hadith: Narration of Jabir (Narrated by Muslim)
From Jabir, who said: “We slaughtered with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, at Hudaybiyah a camel for seven people and a cow for seven people.”
Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “We slaughtered with the Prophet, peace be upon him, at Hudaybiyah one camel for seven people and one cow for seven people.”
(Narrated by Muslim)
Third Hadith: Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
From Anas bin Malik that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to offer as a sacrifice two white rams with horns; one on behalf of himself and his household, and the other on behalf of those from his ummah who sacrificed from his ummah
From Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would sacrifice two fat, horned rams; one for himself and his family, and the other for his ummah who did not sacrifice.”
(HR Ibn Majah no. 3122)
From the above hadiths, it can be understood that sacrificing on behalf of one’s family is permissible according to Islamic law and was personally practiced by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The Prophet’s companions also performed sacrifices as heads of their households without having to separately rotate “sacrifices on behalf of” their wives or children.
Scholarly Opinions
Arif Matuhin, in his book Islamic Philanthropy: Fiqh for Social Justice, states that a single goat may be intended for the person performing the sacrifice and his entire family. Similarly, for a cow sacrifice: a single animal may be intended for seven families, not limited to seven individuals. However, three main conditions must still be met: living under one roof, sharing a single kinship bond, and being financially supported by the same person.
AR Shohibul Ulum in *Kitab Fikih Sehari-Hari* quotes *Kitab Hasyiyah Jamal*, which explains that if one family member performs the sacrifice, the *sunnah ‘ain* obligation is waived for the other family members: meaning the obligation of the sunnah is considered fulfilled. However, the reward of the sacrifice as an atonement for the soul is reserved solely for the person who performs the sacrifice.
Imam Ramli holds a broader view: all family members named in the sacrifice share in the reward, not just the person who performs the sacrifice. (Al-Bajuri, vol. 2, p. 296)
Conclusion
Based on the evidence from hadith and the opinions of the scholars, the ruling on sacrificing on behalf of the family can be summarized as follows:
The most important thing is to sacrifice more than one animal if you are able to do so. However, for those who are not yet able to do so, sacrificing one goat on behalf of the entire family is valid, and insha’Allah the reward will be recorded for everyone. Wallahu a’lam bish shawab.
FAQ on Qurban on Behalf of a Single Family
1. Is one goat sufficient for the sacrifice of a large family?
Yes, it is valid. As long as three conditions are met: living under one roof, having a familial relationship, and being supported by a single head of household. The number of family members does not limit the validity of the sacrifice. A fatwa from Al Lajnah Ad Daimah even states that this is valid for a family consisting of 22 people.
2. What are the conditions for a valid sacrifice on behalf of a family?
There are three conditions that must be met simultaneously:
- Living under the same roof
- Having a familial bond (one nuclear family)
- Being financially supported by the same head of household
If any one of these conditions is not met, the sacrifice on behalf of the family is invalid.
3. What if a child is married and lives separately?
A child who is married and has their own residence and financial support is no longer included in the scope of their parents’ family sacrifice. They and their new family are encouraged to perform their own sacrifice if they are able.
4. Can a cow sacrifice be shared among seven different families?
Yes, it is valid. Based on the hadith narrated by Jabir (HR Muslim), a cow or camel may be shared among seven people or seven families—even if they are not part of the same nuclear family and do not live under the same roof. This differs from the requirements for a goat sacrifice, which stipulate that it must be for one family living in one household.
5. Who receives the reward if only the head of the household performs the sacrifice?
According to Imam Ramli, all family members named in the sacrifice share in the reward. Meanwhile, according to another opinion (Kitab Hasyiyah Jamal), the full reward goes only to the one performing the sacrifice, while the obligation of the sunnah is fulfilled for the other family members. Imam Ramli’s opinion is stronger (rajih) and widely practiced.
6. Is it permissible to intend the sacrifice in the name of a deceased person?
Yes, according to the majority of scholars, as long as it is intended as a gift of reward for the deceased. This is based on the permissibility of bestowing righteous deeds upon those who have passed away. In fact, the Prophet (peace be upon him) once performed a sacrifice on behalf of his followers who had not yet had the opportunity to do so.
7. Is it necessary to mention the names of all family members when making the intention for the qurbani?
It is not necessary to mention each name individually. The intention “this sacrifice is for me and my family” is sufficient; the most important thing is that the intention is expressed before the slaughter.
Read also: Is Pooling Funds for a Sacrifice Permissible and Valid According to Islam?
Qurbani Together with Dompet Dhuafa
Behind the various legal perspectives on sacrificing on behalf of a family, the most important thing is that we intend our sacrifice solely for Allah. Sacrifice teaches us to submit to fulfilling His commands, while also becoming more compassionate toward others.
You can entrust your sacrifice through Dompet Dhuafa’s Sacrificial Animal Distribution Program. Through this program, the benefits of your sacrificial meat can reach those who truly need it, especially residents in 3T regions (Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost).
If you perform your sacrifice with Dompet Dhuafa, insha’Allah your sacrificial animal will also reach 152 cities/regencies and 7 countries—including Palestine, Somalia, Myanmar, and Sudan. The sacrificial animals also come from local farmer empowerment programs, ensuring their quality and health. (Dompet Dhuafa/RQA)
