I vowed that if I married so-and-so, I would slaughter a sheep during the blessed 'Id al-Adha every year
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Fatwa number ( 13532 )
Q: I made a vow that if I married so-and-so, I would slaughter a sheep during the blessed 'Id al-Adha every year. This was before my travel to Saudi Arabia, and it was my intention to buy it small and raise it until the time of slaughter, so that I would not be burdened with the cost. So-and-so was a distant dream, and praise be to Allah, the vow was fulfilled last year. I came to Egypt on leave before 'Id al-Adha, approximately six months later, and I signed my marriage contract. Consequently, it became obligatory for me to fulfill the vow. The festival arrived, and my financial situation was as follows: I was borrowing money for the
wedding and signing the contract, and I needed every riyal to prepare my apartment so I could move in again for the marriage. I paid off a large part of my debts and contributed a small part with my father in preparing the apartment, knowing that there is no difference between my money and my father's, as I am the only son among daughters. Nevertheless, three months before the festival, I asked my father and mother to buy a small sheep so it would be ready for slaughter, but they sent word reminding me of our financial situation and that we needed riyals to prepare the apartment. In truth, they pitied me. Also, from another perspective, I did not insist on the matter of the sheep for fear of upsetting them, on the basis of finding another alternative. I asked—and this was a mistake—people I believed to be trustworthy, and after a while, I felt they were not worthy of that trust. Their answer was that I could give the amount of 165 riyals (the price of slaughter during the festival) to Allah, and that it is better for the family and relatives. I actually rejoiced and hastened to implement that fatwa, as it was a suitable and inexpensive solution compared to buying a sheep in Egypt, where prices were high at that time. Now, after I came on leave again five months ago and got married, so-and-so became my wife in reality, not just on paper. She is now pregnant, and the blessed 'Id al-Adha is approaching for the second time. I was also borrowing money during the marriage, and during the five
months I have also paid off a very large part of my debts and am on the verge of finishing them completely. I also need my money to prepare an apartment here in Saudi Arabia, as I sent for my wife to come here. What should I do? Is it possible for me to give money this year as well, on the basis that, if Allah wills, in the coming years I will start arranging and planning to prepare the sheep at the beginning of each year so it is ready for slaughter during the festival? And if it is possible to give money, how much should it be, and who is it best for? Can it be for my poor relatives in Egypt as I did last year, knowing that my salary is 1500 riyals? Was my action last year a mistake? If it was a mistake, how do I expiate for this mistake? I would have liked to be brief in explaining my situation, but all my fear is that brevity would result in missing information. Thanking you for your cooperation, I hope to know the best solution, which I will commit to, if Allah wills, as you mention it; because, by Allah, I am at the peak of distress, anxiety, terror, and fear of Allah's punishment for me.
A: It is obligatory for you to fulfill your vow by slaughtering a sheep that is at least six months old during 'Id al-Adha every year; because this vow is a vow of obedience, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the fulfillment of vows of obedience, saying:Sahih al-Bukhari 6696 And it is not permissible to give money in place of the slaughter.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I made a vow that if I married so-and-so, I would slaughter a sheep during the blessed 'Id al-Adha every year. This was before my travel to Saudi Arabia, and it was my intention to buy it small and raise it until the time of slaughter, so that I would not be burdened with the cost. So-and-so was a distant dream, and praise be to Allah, the vow was fulfilled last year. I came to Egypt on leave before 'Id al-Adha, approximately six months later, and I signed my marriage contract. Consequently, it became obligatory for me to fulfill the vow. The festival arrived, and my financial situation was as follows: I was borrowing money for the
wedding and signing the contract, and I needed every riyal to prepare my apartment so I could move in again for the marriage. I paid off a large part of my debts and contributed a small part with my father in preparing the apartment, knowing that there is no difference between my money and my father's, as I am the only son among daughters. Nevertheless, three months before the festival, I asked my father and mother to buy a small sheep so it would be ready for slaughter, but they sent word reminding me of our financial situation and that we needed riyals to prepare the apartment. In truth, they pitied me. Also, from another perspective, I did not insist on the matter of the sheep for fear of upsetting them, on the basis of finding another alternative. I asked—and this was a mistake—people I believed to be trustworthy, and after a while, I felt they were not worthy of that trust. Their answer was that I could give the amount of 165 riyals (the price of slaughter during the festival) to Allah, and that it is better for the family and relatives. I actually rejoiced and hastened to implement that fatwa, as it was a suitable and inexpensive solution compared to buying a sheep in Egypt, where prices were high at that time. Now, after I came on leave again five months ago and got married, so-and-so became my wife in reality, not just on paper. She is now pregnant, and the blessed 'Id al-Adha is approaching for the second time. I was also borrowing money during the marriage, and during the five
months I have also paid off a very large part of my debts and am on the verge of finishing them completely. I also need my money to prepare an apartment here in Saudi Arabia, as I sent for my wife to come here. What should I do? Is it possible for me to give money this year as well, on the basis that, if Allah wills, in the coming years I will start arranging and planning to prepare the sheep at the beginning of each year so it is ready for slaughter during the festival? And if it is possible to give money, how much should it be, and who is it best for? Can it be for my poor relatives in Egypt as I did last year, knowing that my salary is 1500 riyals? Was my action last year a mistake? If it was a mistake, how do I expiate for this mistake? I would have liked to be brief in explaining my situation, but all my fear is that brevity would result in missing information. Thanking you for your cooperation, I hope to know the best solution, which I will commit to, if Allah wills, as you mention it; because, by Allah, I am at the peak of distress, anxiety, terror, and fear of Allah's punishment for me.
A: It is obligatory for you to fulfill your vow by slaughtering a sheep that is at least six months old during 'Id al-Adha every year; because this vow is a vow of obedience, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the fulfillment of vows of obedience, saying:
Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should remain obedient to Him
من نذر أن يطيع الله فليطعهAnd 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.