Relationship - Udhiya & Nisaab: In these circumstances, Udhiya (Qurbani) obligated on whome?

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you) 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Udhiya: Is it obligatory, for all in the family, who are worthy of "nisaab", to perform Udhiya or is it sufficient for the head of the family to do it? For example: The Nisaab of possession of gold or ornaments of my wife is being paid as Zakat by me as she is not an earning member. My son works, earns and pays Zakat but lives in my combined family along with his wife. In these circumstances, Udhiya (Qurbani) obligated on whome?

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Answer:

Is sacrifice Fard for all Muslims? 

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The sacrifice of the ‘hadi’ or animal on the Day of Adha is not obligatory or farz for the believers who are not performing the Hajj Pilgrimage.     This sacrifice is what is known as aMustahab Sunnah,  or a preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws),  and everyone who can afford to sacrifice,  must do so.

If one does the sacrifice for the Pleasure of Allah,   Allah Subhanah will grant him a generous reward.   But if for any reason,  one does not do it,  there is no sin on him.    The most that can be said is that he missed an opportunity to earn a great reward from the Lord of the Worlds. 

Combine for sacrifice

Al-Muwatta Hadith 23.10

Yahya related from Malik from Umara ibn Yasar that Ata ibn Yasar told him that Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (a companion of the Prophet (saws)) had told him, "We used to sacrifice one sheep, and a man sacrificed for himself and his family."

Although one may offer a sacrifice individually, the better way and the Sunnah is to offer the sacrifice from a house or household.  Thus if the two (or more) family members are living together in one house, there is no harm sacrificing one goat or sheep for the whole household.

But if the family members are living separately, then it is not preferable for them to share the price of one sacrifice of a goat or a sheep; but if they wish to share, then the sacrificial animal must be a cow or a camel, which may be shared by a maximum of seven people.

Al-Muwatta Hadith 23.9

Yahya related from Malik from Abu'z-Zubayr al-Makki that Jabir ibn Abdullah said, "We sacrificed with the Messenger of Allah (saws) in the year of Hudaybiya, a camel between seven people, and a cow between seven people."

Because the voluntary ‘qurbani’ sacrifice is done per household, every member of the house will have a share of the rewards of the sacrifice.

But if people living in different houses wish to pool their money for one sacrifice, then they should sacrifice either a cow or a camel, which may be shared by a maximum of seven people or seven households.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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