On whom is sacrifice of an animal Wajib?

The criterion is that one who possesses 60 grams 755 milligrams of gold or 425 grams 285 milligrams of silver or the equivalent cash or more other than the basic necessities must sacrifice an animal.  Food, clothes, shelter, means of transport and other household goods come under the category of basic necessities.

According to the jurists, only three pairs of clothes are to be regarded as basic needs, one for wearing at home, the other while working and the last for special occasions such as Friday, Eid, etc.  Similarly, regarding shelter, they specify that each one should have two rooms one for summer, another for winter.  Kitchen, bathroom and lavatory are also included in basic needs.

As mentioned in Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 219

In light of the aforementioned clarifications, one should check the value of goods excluding shelter and basic needs and if that is equal to the value of 60 grams 755 milligrams of gold 425 grams 285 milligrams of silver, then sacrificing an animal is Wajib (compulsory).  Thus, if an extra mode of transport (vehicle), extra pairs of clothes than the required ones and goods beyond the basic needs become equal or more than the prescribed limit, then the sacrifice of an animal ought to be made.

Some people think that sacrificing an animal is Wajib (compulsory) only on the head of the family and not on other members.  We should remember in this regard that sacrificing an animal is like Salaat and fasting, compulsory on every Muslim whose wealth meets the aforementioned criterion regardless of whether he or she might the head of the family or not.  Therefore, if a family has five members and each one has wealth/money which meets the aforementioned criterion, then all the five members must sacrifice an animal.

Sacrifice of an animal for a person who is under debt

If a person has wealth that meets the prescribed criterion and that person is under debt also, then it will be checked whether after repaying the loan, the remaining wealth, excluding the basic needs, meets the criterion or not.  If it does, then sacrificing an animal is Wajib (compulsory) on that person.

If the person on whom sacrificing an animal is Wajib (compulsory) does not have any liquid cash at the moment, he/she must take a loan (non interest based) or must sell some of the things which are over and above the basic needs and sacrifice an animal.

It is given in Fatawa A’alamgiri:

Translation: If someone is under such a debt that on repaying it, the wealth does not meet the prescribed criterion, then sacrifice of an animal is not Wajib (compulsory) on such a person.  (Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 292)

Sacrifice of an animal for businesspeople

Some businesspeople take a loan with the plan that when the profits from the business accrue, they will repay it.  When the time for loan repayment comes and if by the grace of Allah Most High, they earn a profit, they repay the loan, otherwise they take another loan and repay off the first loan.  In this manner, the cycle of loan taking and repayment goes on.  In spite of this, they have all necessary things.  They use vehicles and fulfill the needs of the family members.  This kind of businesspeople should check in light of the aforementioned clarification whether sacrifice of an animal is Wajib (compulsory) for them or not.

If they have wealth that meets the necessary criterion and the loan/s that they have to repay are such that on repaying them, their wealth, apart from the basic needs, does not meet the criterion, then sacrifice of animal is not Wajib (compulsory) for them.  If after repaying the loan/s, their remaining wealth meets the criterion, then it is Wajib (compulsory) on them.

Sacrifice of an animal for wealthy children

Sometimes, considerable amounts of money are saved in the name of minors.  Does this make sacrifice of animal Wajib (compulsory) for them or should their parents perform the sacrifice from their wealth on their behalf?  There are 2 opinions of the jurists in this regard:

(1) It is clarified in the books of jurisprudence and edicts that if a minor is wealthy, then sacrifice of animal is Wajib (compulsory) on them.

(2)  Imam Ibn A’abideen Shaami (May Allah Most High shower His mercy on him) has declared in Radd Ul Muhtaar that the authoritative opinion is that sacrificing an animal is not Wajib (compulsory) for minors.  The principles of the Shariah support this.  The condition for other forms of worship to become compulsory on a person is adulthood.  As long as a child does not reach adulthood, the rules of the Shariah don’t apply to him/her.  The Shariah doesn’t hold him/her liable for anything.  In light of this, like Salaat, fasting, Zakaat and Haj, sacrifice of an animal is also not Wajib (compulsory) for a minor.  As the money/wealth is the property of the child, the parents should not use that money to perform the sacrifice on their behalf.

It is given in Durre Mukhtaar:

Translation: It is not correct for a father to use the wealth of his minor child to sacrifice an animal.  This is the authoritative opinion.  (Durre Mukhtaar, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 223)

Similarly, it is not Wajib (compulsory) for parents/guardians to use their own wealth to sacrifice an animal on behalf of their children.  If parents/guardians do so, it is commendable (Mustahab)

It is given in Radd Ul Muhtaar:

Translation: It is not Wajib (compulsory) on the father to sacrifice an animal on behalf of his children.  It is mentioned in Zahir Ur Riwayah that it is Mustahab (commendable) to do so and not Wajib (compulsory) unlike Sadqa Fitr (which is Wajib on the father on behalf of the children)  (Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 222)