What is the ruling on slaughtering an animal for a guest as a sign of honor? The guest said, “We are in the presence of Allah,” but what about slaughtering the animal?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. What is your opinion regarding a person who came from a far place to visit his brother, and this brother wanted to honor him by slaughtering an animal for him? The visiting guest said to him, “We are in the presence of Allah.” Then the host interpreted this and slaughtered an animal. What is your opinion on this, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : What does he mean by “in the presence of Allah”?
If he means that he seeks nearness to this person through the Face of Allah, then it is forbidden, because the Face of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) cannot be made a means for a created being. However, if his intention by “in the presence of Allah” is “I seek refuge in the Face of Allah from you,” or “I seek refuge in the Face of Allah that you slaughter an animal for me,” then it is not forbidden. But if he intends the meaning of an oath, then it becomes an oath. If this man slaughters an animal for him, he must expiate the oath by feeding ten poor people, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) mentioned.
The questioner : The host or the guest?
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : The host or the guest?
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : Who is required to pay the expiation?
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : The guest or the host? Who pays the expiation?
The Shaykh : The one who broke the oath pays the expiation.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. What is your opinion regarding a person who came from a far place to visit his brother, and this brother wanted to honor him by slaughtering an animal for him? The visiting guest said to him, “We are in the presence of Allah.” Then the host interpreted this and slaughtered an animal. What is your opinion on this, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : What does he mean by “in the presence of Allah”?
If he means that he seeks nearness to this person through the Face of Allah, then it is forbidden, because the Face of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) cannot be made a means for a created being. However, if his intention by “in the presence of Allah” is “I seek refuge in the Face of Allah from you,” or “I seek refuge in the Face of Allah that you slaughter an animal for me,” then it is not forbidden. But if he intends the meaning of an oath, then it becomes an oath. If this man slaughters an animal for him, he must expiate the oath by feeding ten poor people, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) mentioned.
The questioner : The host or the guest?
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : The host or the guest?
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : Who is required to pay the expiation?
The Shaykh : How?
The questioner : The guest or the host? Who pays the expiation?
The Shaykh : The one who broke the oath pays the expiation.