The Status Of Qurbani In Eid-Ul-Adha
Question: Assalamu Alaikum,
My question refers to the sacrifice of Eid – ul Adha. I want to know if it is fard/ sunnah or nafl . If someone now turns 65 and now starts to receive old age pension for the last 3 months and have approximately 6,000 does that person still have to do the sacrifice because she has the nisaab? . Please take into consideration that this person had no prior job and no prior savings and this is all the money that she possesses.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
Many of the great fuqaha (jurists) and Imams of Fiqh have stated that the sacrifice of Eid-Ul-Adha (Qurbani) is wajib (essential) on every Muslim (male and female) who is of sound mind, mature and possesses wealth on the days of Eid ul Adha to the amount of the Nisaab (i.e the minimum amount of wealth which makes Zakaah compulsory upon a person). It is not wajib on a traveller (according to the Shariah), nor upon a minor or insane person even though they may possess wealth.
This ruling of it being wajib is based on the strong emphasis which the Prophet (s.a.w) placed on doing the sacrifice. A tradition recorded by Imam Tirmidhi states that the Prophet (s.a.w) lived in Madina after the Hijrah for ten years, and every single year he did a Qurbani. (Tirmidhi).
The Prophet (s.a.w) also said, ‘Whoever has the means (to do a sacrifice) and does not do it, let him not come to our place of Salaah’ (for Eid). (Ibn Majah).
With respect to the person you have asked about, once she possesses the Nisab during the days of Eid-ul Adha, she will have to do a sacrifice. Although the person did not have a prior job or a prior savings, she will have to do the sacrifice if she has the $6,000 during the days of Eid-Al Adha. Being in possession of this amount at that time means that she will possess a Nisaab and will also have the means to do a sacrifice.
And Allah Knows Best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
17/9/2014.