Can shohibul qurban sacrifices be on behalf of a deceased person?
There are many opinions among scholars about the validity of qurban on behalf of a deceased person:,
First opinion: qurban is allowed on behalf or for those who have passed away if the qurban is included with qurban together with those who are still living (since conducting qurban for a cow require 7 shohibul or equal to 7 sheeps/goats). This is the opinion of Syaikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim At-Tuwaijiri.
Even if someone did qurban for himself, his entire family both living and dead, could be included in the sacrificial intention. Evidence for this,
كَانَ الرَّجُلُ فِي عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُضَحِّى بِالشَّاةِ عَنْهُ وَعَنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ
“At the time of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, a person (husband) slaughtered a goat as a sacrifice for him and his family.”
(Hadith narrated by Tirmidzi no. 1505, Ibnu Majah no. 3138. Syaikh Al Albani said that the hadith is shahih (valid). See Al Irwa’ no. 1142.
Second, qurban on behalf of the deceased is allowed if it is for the deceased’s will. In the Shafi’i madzhab, the qurban itself is not wrong unless there is a will from the deceased. Imam Nawawi rahimahullah said in Al-Minhaj,
وَلَا تَضْحِيَةَ عَنْ الْغَيْرِ بِغَيْرِ إذْنِهِ، وَلَا عَنْ الْمَيِّتِ إذَا لَمْ يُوصِ بِهَا
“Not valid qurban for anyone other than with permission. Qurban on behalf of the deceased is invalid if he/she (the deceased) did not give testament to perform qurban. “
It is permissible if there is a will, based on the word of Allah Ta’ala,
فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَمَا سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّمَا إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“Then whoever changes the bequest after hearing it, the guilt shall for those who change it. Surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing. “(Surat al-Baqara: 181).
Third, there is no guidance from Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam to sacrifice qurban merely for those who have already passed away. Syaikh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaymeen Rokhimulloh said “To merely sacrifice for the dead is not sunnah of the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, because the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam never specifically sacrificed an animal for one of his family who had died. He did not do qurban for his uncle, Hamzah Radiyallahu anhu. Though Hamzah Radiyallahu anhu including his relatives were very dear to his heart. Similarly, he never performed qurban for his children who had passed away while he was still alive, his three deceased children who were married women and his three (other said two) deceased young boys who were still small. Also he never sacrificed/qurban for Khadijah Radiyallahu anha, his beloved wife.
(Talkhishu Kitabu Ahkamil Udh-hiyah wadz Dzakah)
Wallahu a’lam
Based on many sources
