From ancient times to the present day, the act of sacrificial offering has been a manifestation of piety and social responsibility. Every year, we witness Muslims competing to present the best sacrificial animals as an expression of their obedience to Allah SWT and their love for Islam. However, in the digital age, where everything is easy and instant, a new question arises regarding the act of sacrificial offering: Is it permissible to use paylater or online loans for sacrificial offerings?
This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common, especially among those who are eager to perform the sacrifice despite their less-than-ideal economic circumstances. On one hand, this serves as a significant motivation for worship. On the other hand, the use of paylater or online loans for the sacrifice raises legal and ethical dilemmas.
Read also: The Proper Way to Slaughter a Qurbani Cow According to Islamic Law
Sacrifice Using PayLater or Online Loans
Friends, before delving deeper into the legal aspects of using paylater or pinjol for sacrificial offerings, we must first understand the valid conditions for sacrificial offerings according to Islamic law.
Valid Conditions for Sacrificial Offerings
1. Muslim
Sacrificial offerings are an expression of obedience and an effort to draw closer to Allah SWT, so it is no surprise that this act of worship is exclusively for Muslims. For non-Muslims, qurbani is neither an obligation nor a recommendation, as it is not in line with their beliefs. Therefore, animals sacrificed by non-believers are considered invalid in Islam. This is because the essence of qurbani lies in sincerity and acknowledgement of the oneness of Allah.
2. Mature and of sound mind
Qurbani is not a responsibility imposed on everyone. In Islam, sacrifice is only for those who are mature, of sound mind, and mukallaf. Children and people with mental disorders are not burdened with this obligation because they do not meet the requirements of sharia law.
3. Financially capable
One of the main factors in sacrifice is financial capability. Therefore, the act of sacrifice is not obligatory for those who are unable to do so, in line with the principle of Islam which does not burden its followers.
4. Sacrificing Animals That Meet Sharia Requirements
The animals sacrificed by a Muslim must meet sharia requirements. This is necessary for the sacrifice to be valid and accepted by Allah SWT. In addition to choosing the right and good animal, you also need to slaughter the sacrificial animal at the time designated by Islam, namely on Eid al-Adha and the three days of Tasyrik after it.
Read also: Is it permissible and valid according to Islam to pool funds for qurbani?
Scholars’ Opinions on Sacrificial Animals Using Paylater
In Islamic jurisprudence, sacrificial animals are an act of worship that is only obligatory for those who are financially capable or al-istithā‘ah. This means that if someone is unable to perform the sacrifice without taking on debt, they are not obligated to do so.
The Ijtima Ulama has stated and ruled that paylater or online loans are haram. This is because they involve usury, physical threats, and the threat of revealing the secrets or faults of the debtor to the public.
Islam prioritizes the fulfillment of basic needs before performing the act of sacrifice.
If the installments are made through a loan that contains usury, then it remains haram, even though the sacrifice is considered valid according to Islamic law.
The ruling on using paylater or pinjol (loan/debt) for sacrifice:
- The sacrifice is valid if the intention and other conditions are met.
- Not recommended and can be makruh, depending on the condition of the debt.
Loans that contain usury:
- Riba transactions are haram, even for religious purposes.
- The sacrifice remains valid, but the means of performing the sacrifice becomes blameworthy.
Sacrifice using paylater or pinjol is likened to giving charity from stolen proceeds—good intentions do not justify haram means.
“Allah is good and accepts only what is good (halal).”
(HR Muslim)
Sacrifice: Necessity or Ability?
1. The need to sacrifice (spiritual aspect)
Sacrifice is a form of worship that reflects obedience and devotion to Allah SWT. This need is spiritual in nature, arising from a sincere intention to earn rewards, draw closer to Allah, and share blessings with others. For some people, the desire to sacrifice is part of their efforts to strengthen their faith.
2. The ability to perform sacrifice (financial aspect)
The performance of sacrifice remains dependent on economic capability. Islam does not obligate sacrifice for those who are financially unable. This means that one is not encouraged to perform sacrifice if it requires taking on debt or sacrificing basic necessities such as food, shelter, and education.
Dai Dompet Dhuafa, Ustaz Zul Ashfi, S.S.I, LC, explains that in the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, it is stated:
الضَّرُورَاتُ تُقَدَّمُ عَلَى النَّوَافِلِ
Meaning: “Essential needs take precedence over voluntary acts of worship.”
Based on the above explanation, paying a house installment is more important than buying a sacrificial goat. Or, buying nutritious food for children is more important than contributing to a sacrificial offering.
Friends, sacrificial offerings are indeed good and noble, but this does not mean forcing oneself to make a sacrifice to the point of becoming a burden. Allah commands His servants to worship Him, not to make things difficult or burdensome. Allah does not command Muslims to make sacrificial offerings if they are unable to do so. On the contrary, protecting one’s family from financial hardship is more important and is part of a responsibility that is considered an act of worship.
Sacrificial Offerings with Dompet Dhuafa
For those of you who are eligible to perform the sacrifice, you can entrust your sacrifice to Dompet Dhuafa. Why should you perform the sacrifice through an institution? You can find the answer here: Wise Sacrifice Through an Institution, Let’s Make Your Sacrifice Have a Big Impact on the Community!
In addition to the reasons above, sacrificing through Dompet Dhuafa also provides you with four guarantees. What are they? First, your sacrificial animal is guaranteed to be male. Dompet Dhuafa always prioritizes the sustainability of livestock. Male animals are chosen because if too many female animals are used for sacrifice, the female population may become unbalanced, making it difficult for the animals to reproduce.
Second, your sacrificial animal will definitely pass quality control. Dompet Dhuafa always ensures that the physical condition and health of the sacrificial animals are good and of high quality. The quality control process goes through many stages, starting from weighing the animals, ensuring that they are healthy, to ensuring that they are free from defects in accordance with Islamic law.
Third, your sacrificial animal will definitely be distributed to remote areas of the country. Dompet Dhuafa is committed to distributing sacrificial meat to remote and rural areas. The reason is that many people in these areas cannot afford to perform the sacrifice, so they cannot consume the meat. According to a study by IDEAS, most sacrificial animals are still concentrated in large cities, where the meat ends up piling up.
Fourth, reports related to your sacrifice will be fast and accurate. The sacrifice process at Dompet Dhuafa is transparent and trustworthy. As much as possible, we report the condition of the sacrificial animals in real time, starting from selection, slaughter, to the distribution of sacrificial meat through an integrated system that can be easily accessed by you, the donors.
In addition to the four benefits mentioned above, by sacrificing through Dompet Dhuafa, you are also empowering local farmers. This is because Dompet Dhuafa sources livestock from local farmers with the aim of supporting the sustainability of their businesses, thereby ensuring a fair and thriving economy for the farmers. Let’s sacrifice now! (Diandra/RQA)