Sharing a Sacrifice while There Are Muslims and Non-Muslims in the Same Family
Fatwa No: 83831

Question

Is it correct for non-Muslims to partake in Qurbani (sacrifice)? The reason for my question is, in my family we are two brothers and three sisters. My mother was married twice. Her first marriage was to a Muslim and she had four children, one of whom is dead. Among the three that are alive two are Muslims and one girl became a Christian after her marriage. My mum from her second marriage had three children one is also dead. Of the two that are alive, I have accepted Islam and now I am a practicing Muslim. My brother on the other hand is a Hindu, my father had accepted Islam, married my mum and then reverted to be a Hindu. My brother does Hindu worship. My mum is now dead and my sister who is also a Muslim wishes for all five of us to put together money for the purchase of the animal. Bearing in mind one brother is a Hindu and one sister is a Christian. My opinion is that since this is an Islamic act they cannot partake in it even if it is only by way of money and not by any share. Am I correct? Please do reply me urgently so that I will not commit any sin.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Offering sacrifice is a form of worship. So, offering it from non-Muslims or sharing them in it is not permissible except in the following cases:

1) A Muslim can sacrifice a sheep or one-seventh portion of a camel or a cow. Thus a Non-muslim can share in more than one-seventh portion of a cow or a camel only to take meat since any form of worship from a Non-muslim is not acceptable.

2) A Non-muslim may present you money as a gift, and after possessing that money you may sacrifice an animal for yourself.

3) A Non-muslim may present you an animal as a gift and then you may sacrifice it for yourself.

We also want to draw your attention to the following:

1) A sacrifice can be offered on behalf of a family. So, if your brothers are living separately and everyone bears his own expenses, then a sacrifice does not suffice all of them.

2) Giving the meat of a sacrificial animal to a Non-muslim is permissible.

3) You are obliged to do your best to call your brothers and sister towards Islam in order to save them from Hellfire.
May Allah bless you and us.

Allah knows best.

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