The Ruling on the Udhiyah (Sacrifice) for the Living and the Dead, and Abandoning It Despite the Ability to Perform It

Question:
May Allah reward you and bless you, Honorable Shaykh. This is Abdullah Hamid, and in his question he says: My question is about the udhiyah (sacrifice). The opinions differ: is the udhiyah for the dead or for the living? What is the ruling on that? And what is the ruling on abandoning the udhiyah when one has the ability to perform it?

Answer:
The udhiyah is a confirmed sunnah (recommended practice). Some scholars, such as Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him), hold that it is obligatory. However, the majority of scholars hold that it is a confirmed sunnah. It is performed for the living and for the dead. The one who prefers it for the living and not for the dead has no evidence for this. He has no evidence. This deprives the dead of this benefit. What is his evidence for that? He has no evidence. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good and bless you.