Slaughtering the Nushrah at a Specific Time and Place
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 17244 )
Q 1: In some villages, there is a charity, which consists of slaughtering a cow or other animal at a specific time and place. It has various names; some call it (al-Nushrah), while others call it the charity of such-and-such a place, and so on. The apparent intent of their practice is that they do not believe it brings any benefit or harm, but rather that it is a charity for the sake of Allah the Exalted, a custom inherited by sons from fathers and grandfathers. What also confuses us is that some say it is a vow, and they apply to it the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Insan 76:7]. Others say it is a partnership in which those who wish to buy some of its meat do so by shares; some take one share, others two, and so on. After debate on this matter and its condemnation by many, some became angry and considered it a severing of customs, to the point that some equated it with cutting off family ties, visiting the sick, and burying the dead if it is not slaughtered. We are confused by this matter, knowing that the one who slaughters it invokes Allah and says: "O Allah, it is a charity in Your path, so accept it from us." What is the ruling on this practice?
A 1: The custom of slaughtering a cow or other animal at a specific time and place, other than the time of the 'Id sacrifice or the hady, and other than the sacred sites, and considering this to be a form of charity, is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that must be denounced and avoided, even if it is a custom passed down from fathers and grandfathers. Customs that contradict the Shari'ah must be abandoned. This is not considered cutting off family ties, but rather abandoning an innovation. You must make it clear to the people of your town and those who engage in this practice that it is forbidden (haram) and that it is not permissible to continue with it. May Allah reward you with good. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 1: In some villages, there is a charity, which consists of slaughtering a cow or other animal at a specific time and place. It has various names; some call it (al-Nushrah), while others call it the charity of such-and-such a place, and so on. The apparent intent of their practice is that they do not believe it brings any benefit or harm, but rather that it is a charity for the sake of Allah the Exalted, a custom inherited by sons from fathers and grandfathers. What also confuses us is that some say it is a vow, and they apply to it the saying of Allah the Exalted:
They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread.
يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًاA 1: The custom of slaughtering a cow or other animal at a specific time and place, other than the time of the 'Id sacrifice or the hady, and other than the sacred sites, and considering this to be a form of charity, is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that must be denounced and avoided, even if it is a custom passed down from fathers and grandfathers. Customs that contradict the Shari'ah must be abandoned. This is not considered cutting off family ties, but rather abandoning an innovation. You must make it clear to the people of your town and those who engage in this practice that it is forbidden (haram) and that it is not permissible to continue with it. May Allah reward you with good. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.