Prayer TimesIt is permissible to offer a sacrifice (qurban) on behalf of a deceased person (marhum) with the intention of earning reward for them. However, if a person is obligated to perform the qurban, they must first offer the sacrifice on their own behalf.
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) once offered two sacrifices: one for himself and another on behalf of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). When people asked him about this, he replied:
إن رسول اللَّه صلَّى اللَّه عليه وسلَّم أوصاني أن أضحّي عنه فأنا أضَحّي عنه
“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf as long as I am alive.” [1]
If someone wishes to offer a sacrifice for a deceased person, it must be done during the days of Eid al-Adha. Both the person offering the sacrifice and others may eat from the meat.
If the deceased specifically instructed in their will for a sacrifice to be offered, then their heirs are not permitted to eat from the meat. In this case, the entire sacrifice must be distributed among the poor and needy.
Department of Sharia and Fatwa, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan
[1] Narrated by Abu Dawud.
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.