What is the ruling on sacrificing on behalf of a deceased person?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, what is the ruling on sacrificing on behalf of a deceased person?
The Shaykh : On the left.
The questioner : I have it, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : What is the ruling on sacrificing on behalf of a deceased person? We ask for details.
The Shaykh : Regarding the sacrifice on behalf of a deceased person, if he had bequeathed it, then it is sacrificed on his behalf. If he did not bequeath it, then supplicating for him is better than sacrificing for him. The prescribed practice is to sacrifice on behalf of the living. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to sacrifice a sheep on his behalf and on behalf of his household. If you sacrifice a sheep on your behalf and on behalf of your household, and you intend that among your household are your relatives who have died, there is no harm; they are included in the general scope. However, specifically designating a sacrifice for a deceased person as a voluntary act from your own side is not in accordance with the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) did not sacrifice on behalf of his wife Khadijah, even though she was among the women most beloved to him. He did not sacrifice on behalf of his uncle Hamzah, even though he was among the people most beloved to him. He did not sacrifice on behalf of any of his relatives who died, nor on behalf of any of his daughters who died. This indicates that this is not prescribed. However, if a person does so, we do not blame him; rather, we guide him to what is better, which is supplicating for the deceased.
The Shaykh : On the left.
The questioner : I have it, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : What is the ruling on sacrificing on behalf of a deceased person? We ask for details.
The Shaykh : Regarding the sacrifice on behalf of a deceased person, if he had bequeathed it, then it is sacrificed on his behalf. If he did not bequeath it, then supplicating for him is better than sacrificing for him. The prescribed practice is to sacrifice on behalf of the living. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to sacrifice a sheep on his behalf and on behalf of his household. If you sacrifice a sheep on your behalf and on behalf of your household, and you intend that among your household are your relatives who have died, there is no harm; they are included in the general scope. However, specifically designating a sacrifice for a deceased person as a voluntary act from your own side is not in accordance with the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) did not sacrifice on behalf of his wife Khadijah, even though she was among the women most beloved to him. He did not sacrifice on behalf of his uncle Hamzah, even though he was among the people most beloved to him. He did not sacrifice on behalf of any of his relatives who died, nor on behalf of any of his daughters who died. This indicates that this is not prescribed. However, if a person does so, we do not blame him; rather, we guide him to what is better, which is supplicating for the deceased.