Why is the udhiyah/qurbani of one sheep not sufficient for the obligation of an entire family?
Why is the udhiyah/qurbani of one sheep not sufficient for the obligation of an entire family?
Individual instructions
There are several authentic narrations in which Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) issued an explicit command to an individual to slaughter a goat or sheep.
Sayyiduna Jundub (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Whoever slaughtered before the salah, should slaughter another in place of that one. Whoever hasn’t yet slaughtered should now slaughter [after the salah] while taking Allah’s name.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 985. Also see: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 968 & 984)
The command in this Hadith is explicitly clear [thereby purporting obligation- wujub], and is evidently directed to the individual, not a household.
In none of these [or other] narrations did he (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) ever say: ‘do it [slaughter one sheep/goat only] and the obligation will fall of all your family members.’
Neither did he (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) say:
‘Whichever household has already slaughtered, should repeat, or which household have not yet slaughtered should do so now [after the salah].’
Rather his address was to each [eligible] individual.
Hence, it is clearly understood that as far as the obligation is concerned, it is directed separately to each eligible individual. The following narration evidently supports this:
The obligation is on every single person who can afford it
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said:
‘Whoever can afford to slaughter in this day but fails do so should not even come to our Eid salah.’
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3123, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 389. Also see I’laus Sunan, vol.17 pg.212-217. Although some experts deem this more correctly attributed to the Sahabi, in this case, that does not make much of a difference. See I’laus Sunan for details.)
A sheep/goat cannot supersede animals that are bigger and better
It is undisputed that a camel or cow is better than the sheep or goat.
(Sharh Mukhtasar Tahawi, vol.7 pg. 327)
Furthermore, it is authentically recorded that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) allowed up to seven shares in these big animals; cattle and camels.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 3172-3175 & Sharh Ma’anil Athar of Imam Tahawi, vol.2 pg. 275)
Hence, if one sheep was allowed for limitless people of one family, why is that not the case when slaughtering cattle or camels?
Seven sheep equal one camel
Added to this is that in one narration as reported by Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma), a Sahabi complained of an entire camel being binding on him, but it had fled and escaped.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Buy seven goats/sheep.’ [i.e, in place of the one camel]
(Musnad Ahmad and Sharh Ma’anil Athar of Imam Tahawi, vol.2 pg. 275. Also see I’laus Sunan, vol.17 pg.203)
Therefore, if seven sheep are needed to match up to one camel [which is sufficient for seven people] then seven sheep will be needed for seven people. Not one sheep for seven individuals, or one sheep for the whole family!
Clear proof for individual responsibility.
In a Hadith of Sahih Bukhari, a Sahabi (radiyallahu’anhu) who had slaughtered before the Eid Salah offered the following excuse:
‘I knew that today was a day of slaughter, and I wished that my animal be the first to be slaughtered in my house.’
This shows that there were others in the house who were going to slaughter as well.
Therefore Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied:
‘Your sheep/goat is not counted as the obligatory one….’
The Sahabi was then instructed to slaughter another animal after the Eid Salah.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 955, 968 and 976)
If this animal was on behalf of the obligation of the entire household, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would’ve said:
‘The sheep/goat of your household is not counted as the obligatory one…’
Thus it is clear that in that home, there were others who were going to slaughter separately.
Moreover, in this particular case, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would’ve told this Sahabi, that although his slaughter was invalid, he need not to repeat it since there are others in his house who were going to slaughter anyway, and that would absolve him too.
This was not the case. He was instructed to repeat his slaughter, since it was obligatory on each individual separately.
Explanation of the Hadiths that apparently show one goat sufficing for the whole family
For one to fully understand the issue, it is imperative to take note of the following:
Three types of slaughter
In the era of Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) –and even up to now- on Eid day, there were [and still are] three types of slaughter:
The obligatory slaughter (which is only binding on those who fulfilled the conditions of obligation).
One of the Hadiths that shows obligation is the following:
Sayyiduna Jundub (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Whoever slaughtered before the salah, should slaughter another in place of that one. Whoever hasn’t yet slaughtered should now slaughter [after the salah] while taking Alah’s name.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 985)
In many homes, even to this day, not every mature individual is eligible for the binding slaughter. Therefore, it is common to have one sheep slaughtered in such a home.
The illustrious author of the Grand Hanafi book: Al-Hidayah has explained that the Hadith which shows only one sheep being slaughtered for an entire household, could be referring to a situation like this one. i.e, where there was only one person [usually the bread-winner] in that house who was required to slaughter anyway.
(Al-Hidayah, vol.4 pg.445)
This is perfectly understandable.
A voluntary slaughter to dedicate the reward to others. (isal thawab).
Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ’anhu) reports that after the Eid Salah, a ram was brought to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) which he slaughtered saying:
‘Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, O Allah [accept ] this from my behalf and on behalf of those in my ummah who have not slaughtered.’
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2803. See other such Hadiths in Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 5553 and I’laus Sunan, vol.17 pg.210-211)
Nowadays too, people slaughter several animals on the name of [i.e, dedicating the reward to] their near and dear ones, who may be alive or even deceased.
Slaughtering only for the meat, without it being obligatory (due to the slaughterer not fulfilling the conditions of obligation).
In our era too we find people upon whom the slaughter is not binding also joining in and slaughtering either voluntarily or through donations.
Hadiths which state that one sheep was sufficient for the entire household, may be understood in this light too.
Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that [on the day of slaughter] Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) made over to me a batch of animals to be distributed to my tribe. After doing so, there was one left. Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) told me to slaughter it myself.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 555 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 5057)
In this instance, they were clearly ‘handed out’ animals to join in on the occasion.
This explicitly shows that some Sahabah would indeed slaughter, although was not an obligation on them, due to them not being able to afford it.
(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5555)
Similarly, in the Hadith in Sahih Bukhari cited earlier, in which the Sahabi slaughtered before time, Nabi (salallahu’alayhi wasallam) labeled that sheep [which was slaughtered early] as: a sheep for meat, and not the obligatory one.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 983 and 5560)
This illustrates that there was also a practice of slaughtering on that day only for the meat, and not for the obligation [since these individuals didn’t meet the conditions for obligation. Although in this case the Sahabi intended different].
This provides us with more answers to the Hadiths that state that some Sahabah (radiyallahu ’anhum) would slaughter only one for their family, or that Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) had slaughtered just one for his family and one for the entire Ummah. These were clearly not the obligatory slaughter.
Some people argue that: why is there no mention of the wives of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi waslalam) slaughtering?
For this argument to hold weight, one needs to first establish whether the wives of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) were actually required to slaughter in the first place!
Poverty was the norm in their homes. They hardly ever possessed anything in excess of their needs. Nay! On many occasions they didn’t even have what would sufficient for their needs, let alone have surplus…
Despite this, there are a few examples of more than one member in a home of a Sahabi slaughtering.
Examples of more than one sheep/goat being slaughtered in the homes of the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum)
In the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari, a Sahabi (radiyallahu’anhu) who had slaughtered before the Eid Salah offered the following excuse:
‘I knew that today was a day of slaughter, and I wished that my animal be the first to be slaughtered in my house.’
This shows that there were others in the house who were going to slaughter as well.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 955)
Sayyiduna Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (radiyallahu’anhu) would instruct his daughters to slaughter their own animal themselves.
(Cited by Imam Bukhari without its chain (ta’liqan). Hafiz Ibn Hajr after sourcing its chain declared it authentic (sahih). Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 5559)
In a narration of Mustadrak Hakim, recorded with more than one chain, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallma) told Sayyidah Fatimah (radiyallahu ‘anha):
‘O Fatimah, come and see your udhiyah animal being slaughtered.’
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol.4 pg.222. Also see Targhib, Hadith: 1622, 1623)
Ten concluding remarks:
In light of the above facts, we understand:
Only one sheep/goat may suffice for one individual as far as the obligatory sacrifice is concerned.
It is impossible for a sheep to be worth more shares than a cow or camel.
The argument of the opposition actually suggests that there can be more shares in a sheep than a bigger animal, like a cow or camel!
In none of the narrations does it state that the sacrifice that Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) offered on behalf of others was the binding sacrifice. Rather, these are understood to be the optional sacrifice.
Those narrations, which outwardly state that one sheep was slaughtered for the entire family, mean that this was done to feed them and not to suffice their obligation.
Many Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) were destitute, and therefore it would be common for the obligation of udhiyah/qurbani to be on just one individual in the family. He would then share this meat with the rest of the household.
It is possible that some of the poor households among the Sahabah were given one sheep/goat each as a kind gesture, so that they may join in on the occasion, and not feel deprived because of their circumstance. In these cases, it would’ve been one sheep/goat per household.
It is also possible that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) had given ‘special permission’ to some households to slaughter just one for the whole house. Such special permission is usually restricted to the individual whom it was granted to.
If one sheep sufficed for the whole family’s obligation, then why isn’t one sheep sufficient for the whole Ummah’s obligation. [as the Hadith also states that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) slaughtered one sheep for the whole Ummah as well.]
And only Allah knows best.
Individual instructions
There are several authentic narrations in which Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) issued an explicit command to an individual to slaughter a goat or sheep.
Sayyiduna Jundub (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Whoever slaughtered before the salah, should slaughter another in place of that one. Whoever hasn’t yet slaughtered should now slaughter [after the salah] while taking Allah’s name.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 985. Also see: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 968 & 984)
The command in this Hadith is explicitly clear [thereby purporting obligation- wujub], and is evidently directed to the individual, not a household.
In none of these [or other] narrations did he (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) ever say: ‘do it [slaughter one sheep/goat only] and the obligation will fall of all your family members.’
Neither did he (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) say:
‘Whichever household has already slaughtered, should repeat, or which household have not yet slaughtered should do so now [after the salah].’
Rather his address was to each [eligible] individual.
Hence, it is clearly understood that as far as the obligation is concerned, it is directed separately to each eligible individual. The following narration evidently supports this:
The obligation is on every single person who can afford it
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said:
‘Whoever can afford to slaughter in this day but fails do so should not even come to our Eid salah.’
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3123, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 389. Also see I’laus Sunan, vol.17 pg.212-217. Although some experts deem this more correctly attributed to the Sahabi, in this case, that does not make much of a difference. See I’laus Sunan for details.)
A sheep/goat cannot supersede animals that are bigger and better
It is undisputed that a camel or cow is better than the sheep or goat.
(Sharh Mukhtasar Tahawi, vol.7 pg. 327)
Furthermore, it is authentically recorded that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) allowed up to seven shares in these big animals; cattle and camels.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 3172-3175 & Sharh Ma’anil Athar of Imam Tahawi, vol.2 pg. 275)
Hence, if one sheep was allowed for limitless people of one family, why is that not the case when slaughtering cattle or camels?
Seven sheep equal one camel
Added to this is that in one narration as reported by Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma), a Sahabi complained of an entire camel being binding on him, but it had fled and escaped.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Buy seven goats/sheep.’ [i.e, in place of the one camel]
(Musnad Ahmad and Sharh Ma’anil Athar of Imam Tahawi, vol.2 pg. 275. Also see I’laus Sunan, vol.17 pg.203)
Therefore, if seven sheep are needed to match up to one camel [which is sufficient for seven people] then seven sheep will be needed for seven people. Not one sheep for seven individuals, or one sheep for the whole family!
Clear proof for individual responsibility.
In a Hadith of Sahih Bukhari, a Sahabi (radiyallahu’anhu) who had slaughtered before the Eid Salah offered the following excuse:
‘I knew that today was a day of slaughter, and I wished that my animal be the first to be slaughtered in my house.’
This shows that there were others in the house who were going to slaughter as well.
Therefore Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied:
‘Your sheep/goat is not counted as the obligatory one….’
The Sahabi was then instructed to slaughter another animal after the Eid Salah.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 955, 968 and 976)
If this animal was on behalf of the obligation of the entire household, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would’ve said:
‘The sheep/goat of your household is not counted as the obligatory one…’
Thus it is clear that in that home, there were others who were going to slaughter separately.
Moreover, in this particular case, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would’ve told this Sahabi, that although his slaughter was invalid, he need not to repeat it since there are others in his house who were going to slaughter anyway, and that would absolve him too.
This was not the case. He was instructed to repeat his slaughter, since it was obligatory on each individual separately.
Explanation of the Hadiths that apparently show one goat sufficing for the whole family
For one to fully understand the issue, it is imperative to take note of the following:
Three types of slaughter
In the era of Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) –and even up to now- on Eid day, there were [and still are] three types of slaughter:
The obligatory slaughter (which is only binding on those who fulfilled the conditions of obligation).
One of the Hadiths that shows obligation is the following:
Sayyiduna Jundub (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Whoever slaughtered before the salah, should slaughter another in place of that one. Whoever hasn’t yet slaughtered should now slaughter [after the salah] while taking Alah’s name.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 985)
In many homes, even to this day, not every mature individual is eligible for the binding slaughter. Therefore, it is common to have one sheep slaughtered in such a home.
The illustrious author of the Grand Hanafi book: Al-Hidayah has explained that the Hadith which shows only one sheep being slaughtered for an entire household, could be referring to a situation like this one. i.e, where there was only one person [usually the bread-winner] in that house who was required to slaughter anyway.
(Al-Hidayah, vol.4 pg.445)
This is perfectly understandable.
A voluntary slaughter to dedicate the reward to others. (isal thawab).
Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ’anhu) reports that after the Eid Salah, a ram was brought to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) which he slaughtered saying:
‘Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, O Allah [accept ] this from my behalf and on behalf of those in my ummah who have not slaughtered.’
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2803. See other such Hadiths in Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 5553 and I’laus Sunan, vol.17 pg.210-211)
Nowadays too, people slaughter several animals on the name of [i.e, dedicating the reward to] their near and dear ones, who may be alive or even deceased.
Slaughtering only for the meat, without it being obligatory (due to the slaughterer not fulfilling the conditions of obligation).
In our era too we find people upon whom the slaughter is not binding also joining in and slaughtering either voluntarily or through donations.
Hadiths which state that one sheep was sufficient for the entire household, may be understood in this light too.
Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that [on the day of slaughter] Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) made over to me a batch of animals to be distributed to my tribe. After doing so, there was one left. Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) told me to slaughter it myself.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 555 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 5057)
In this instance, they were clearly ‘handed out’ animals to join in on the occasion.
This explicitly shows that some Sahabah would indeed slaughter, although was not an obligation on them, due to them not being able to afford it.
(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5555)
Similarly, in the Hadith in Sahih Bukhari cited earlier, in which the Sahabi slaughtered before time, Nabi (salallahu’alayhi wasallam) labeled that sheep [which was slaughtered early] as: a sheep for meat, and not the obligatory one.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 983 and 5560)
This illustrates that there was also a practice of slaughtering on that day only for the meat, and not for the obligation [since these individuals didn’t meet the conditions for obligation. Although in this case the Sahabi intended different].
This provides us with more answers to the Hadiths that state that some Sahabah (radiyallahu ’anhum) would slaughter only one for their family, or that Nabi (salallahu ’alayhi wasallam) had slaughtered just one for his family and one for the entire Ummah. These were clearly not the obligatory slaughter.
Some people argue that: why is there no mention of the wives of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi waslalam) slaughtering?
For this argument to hold weight, one needs to first establish whether the wives of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) were actually required to slaughter in the first place!
Poverty was the norm in their homes. They hardly ever possessed anything in excess of their needs. Nay! On many occasions they didn’t even have what would sufficient for their needs, let alone have surplus…
Despite this, there are a few examples of more than one member in a home of a Sahabi slaughtering.
Examples of more than one sheep/goat being slaughtered in the homes of the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum)
In the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari, a Sahabi (radiyallahu’anhu) who had slaughtered before the Eid Salah offered the following excuse:
‘I knew that today was a day of slaughter, and I wished that my animal be the first to be slaughtered in my house.’
This shows that there were others in the house who were going to slaughter as well.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 955)
Sayyiduna Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (radiyallahu’anhu) would instruct his daughters to slaughter their own animal themselves.
(Cited by Imam Bukhari without its chain (ta’liqan). Hafiz Ibn Hajr after sourcing its chain declared it authentic (sahih). Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 5559)
In a narration of Mustadrak Hakim, recorded with more than one chain, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallma) told Sayyidah Fatimah (radiyallahu ‘anha):
‘O Fatimah, come and see your udhiyah animal being slaughtered.’
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol.4 pg.222. Also see Targhib, Hadith: 1622, 1623)
Ten concluding remarks:
In light of the above facts, we understand:
Only one sheep/goat may suffice for one individual as far as the obligatory sacrifice is concerned.
It is impossible for a sheep to be worth more shares than a cow or camel.
The argument of the opposition actually suggests that there can be more shares in a sheep than a bigger animal, like a cow or camel!
In none of the narrations does it state that the sacrifice that Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) offered on behalf of others was the binding sacrifice. Rather, these are understood to be the optional sacrifice.
Those narrations, which outwardly state that one sheep was slaughtered for the entire family, mean that this was done to feed them and not to suffice their obligation.
Many Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) were destitute, and therefore it would be common for the obligation of udhiyah/qurbani to be on just one individual in the family. He would then share this meat with the rest of the household.
It is possible that some of the poor households among the Sahabah were given one sheep/goat each as a kind gesture, so that they may join in on the occasion, and not feel deprived because of their circumstance. In these cases, it would’ve been one sheep/goat per household.
It is also possible that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) had given ‘special permission’ to some households to slaughter just one for the whole house. Such special permission is usually restricted to the individual whom it was granted to.
If one sheep sufficed for the whole family’s obligation, then why isn’t one sheep sufficient for the whole Ummah’s obligation. [as the Hadith also states that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) slaughtered one sheep for the whole Ummah as well.]
And only Allah knows best.
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