Unlawful to slaughter sacrifice for the dead

7-3-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the ruling on eating from the slaughtered sacrifices and the banquets held before the graves which are claimed to be those of Awliyaa’? What is the ruling of attending these polytheistic celebrations?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

If a sacrifice is slaughtered for the sake of the dead who is claimed to be a Waliyy (ally or friend of Allaah The Almighty), there is no doubt that it is unlawful to eat from it. This is because sacrifice in this case is done for other than Allaah The Almighty, even if His Name is mentioned during the slaughter. It is well-known that sacrificing for other than Allaah The Almighty is Shirk (polytheism). Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].} [Quran 108: 2]

It is impermissible to eat from the slaughtered animal of a polytheist or a slaughtered animal upon which the Name of Allaah The Almighty is not mentioned [during slaughtering]. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allaah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him]} [Quran 6: 121]

Even if the name of Allaah The Almighty is mentioned when the animal is slaughtered for an unlawful occasion, then one should not eat from it as an act of disapproving and avoiding participation in a religious innovation. Sharee‘ah forbids participating in such occasions.

Allaah Knows best.