The Ruling on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased
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Your Eminence! Many people are concerned with offering the 'Id sacrifice on behalf of a deceased person, whether or not there was a bequest. What is your guidance, if you would be so kind?
Answer: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered the sacrifice on his own behalf and on behalf of his household, and he did not distinguish between the living and the dead. This indicates that when one offers a sacrifice, it is on his behalf and on behalf of his household; this includes his deceased father, or his deceased mother, or his wife, or his children, because he slaughtered it on his behalf and on behalf of his household. It was reported in a hadith of al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he was asked by Abu Burdah ibn Niyar, who said: "I have slaughtered on behalf of my child." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved him and did not ask whether his child was alive or dead. This indicates that if one slaughters on behalf of some of his deceased relatives and offers a sacrifice on behalf of some of his deceased relatives, there is nothing wrong with it; rather, it is a prescribed matter because of the charity involved, the excellence, drawing near to Allah through the slaughter, doing good to the deceased through charity, and doing good to people through the meat for the poor and those in need, and as a gift to his friends, relatives, and neighbors. However, it is more emphasized for the living; the sacrifice for the living is more emphasized. So the Sunnah is that one should not leave off the sacrifice on his own behalf, and if he offers it on behalf of his household, that is better, and if he offers it on behalf of his deceased relatives, that is good, and there is nothing wrong with it; it is all good. As for the denial of those who deny the sacrifice for the deceased, there is no basis for that. This denial that some people do regarding the deceased has no basis. If one offers a sacrifice for the deceased, it is an act of drawing near to Allah, obedience, and great good. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Answer: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offered the sacrifice on his own behalf and on behalf of his household, and he did not distinguish between the living and the dead. This indicates that when one offers a sacrifice, it is on his behalf and on behalf of his household; this includes his deceased father, or his deceased mother, or his wife, or his children, because he slaughtered it on his behalf and on behalf of his household. It was reported in a hadith of al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he was asked by Abu Burdah ibn Niyar, who said: "I have slaughtered on behalf of my child." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved him and did not ask whether his child was alive or dead. This indicates that if one slaughters on behalf of some of his deceased relatives and offers a sacrifice on behalf of some of his deceased relatives, there is nothing wrong with it; rather, it is a prescribed matter because of the charity involved, the excellence, drawing near to Allah through the slaughter, doing good to the deceased through charity, and doing good to people through the meat for the poor and those in need, and as a gift to his friends, relatives, and neighbors. However, it is more emphasized for the living; the sacrifice for the living is more emphasized. So the Sunnah is that one should not leave off the sacrifice on his own behalf, and if he offers it on behalf of his household, that is better, and if he offers it on behalf of his deceased relatives, that is good, and there is nothing wrong with it; it is all good. As for the denial of those who deny the sacrifice for the deceased, there is no basis for that. This denial that some people do regarding the deceased has no basis. If one offers a sacrifice for the deceased, it is an act of drawing near to Allah, obedience, and great good. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.