What is the ruling on the 'Id sacrifice performed for a deceased person?
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The questioner : You are asking about the 'Id sacrifice performed for a deceased person as well?
The Shaykh : The 'Id sacrifice is drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) on the days of 'Id al-Adha, on the day of the festival and the three days following it, by slaughtering livestock from camels, cattle, or sheep. It is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the living person to sacrifice on his own behalf and on behalf of his household, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do. If a person sacrifices on his own behalf and on behalf of his household, and intends that the reward be for him and his household, both the living and the deceased, then there is nothing wrong with that. As for the specific 'Id sacrifice for the deceased, it has two cases:
The first case is that the deceased has bequeathed it. If he has bequeathed it, then it is carried out to fulfill the bequest, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted when He mentioned the bequest:[Al-Baqarah 2:181-182] These two verses indicate that the bequest of the deceased is carried out, provided it is not a sin or an injustice.
As for the second case regarding the 'Id sacrifice for the deceased: it is for a person to sacrifice on his behalf initially. The scholars have differed on this: is it prescribed or not prescribed?
Some of them said that it is prescribed, like the sacrifice for the living and like charity for the deceased. Others said that it is not prescribed, because this was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Many of his relatives died, and some of his wives died as well, and it was not reported that he sacrificed specifically for any one of them. His three daughters and his three sons died, and he did not sacrifice for any one of them. His uncle Hamzah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred at Uhud, and he did not sacrifice for him. His wives Khadijah and Zaynab bint Khuzaymah died, and he did not sacrifice for them. If this had been among the prescribed matters, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have done it.
However, I say: if you wish to sacrifice for the deceased, then sacrifice on your own behalf and on behalf of your household, and intend that it is for you and your living and deceased relatives, for the bounty of Allah is vast.
The Shaykh : The 'Id sacrifice is drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) on the days of 'Id al-Adha, on the day of the festival and the three days following it, by slaughtering livestock from camels, cattle, or sheep. It is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the living person to sacrifice on his own behalf and on behalf of his household, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do. If a person sacrifices on his own behalf and on behalf of his household, and intends that the reward be for him and his household, both the living and the deceased, then there is nothing wrong with that. As for the specific 'Id sacrifice for the deceased, it has two cases:
The first case is that the deceased has bequeathed it. If he has bequeathed it, then it is carried out to fulfill the bequest, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted when He mentioned the bequest:
(181) Then whoever alters the bequest after he has heard it - the sin is only upon those who have altered it. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (182) But if one fears from the bequeather [some] error or sin and corrects that which is between them, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
فمن بدله بعدما سمعها فإنما إثمه على الذين يبدلونه إن الله سميع عليم فمن خاف من موصٍ جنفاً أو إثماً فلا إثم عليه إن الله غفور رحيمAs for the second case regarding the 'Id sacrifice for the deceased: it is for a person to sacrifice on his behalf initially. The scholars have differed on this: is it prescribed or not prescribed?
Some of them said that it is prescribed, like the sacrifice for the living and like charity for the deceased. Others said that it is not prescribed, because this was not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Many of his relatives died, and some of his wives died as well, and it was not reported that he sacrificed specifically for any one of them. His three daughters and his three sons died, and he did not sacrifice for any one of them. His uncle Hamzah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred at Uhud, and he did not sacrifice for him. His wives Khadijah and Zaynab bint Khuzaymah died, and he did not sacrifice for them. If this had been among the prescribed matters, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have done it.
However, I say: if you wish to sacrifice for the deceased, then sacrifice on your own behalf and on behalf of your household, and intend that it is for you and your living and deceased relatives, for the bounty of Allah is vast.