Date : 21-09-2015

Question :

Is it permissible to give from the meat of the sacrifice to a non-Muslim as a present or as a charity?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.



It is permissible for a Muslim to give from the meat of his sacrifice slaughtered in Eid-ul-Adha to a non-Muslim as a present and as an act of kindness. Many Prophetic narrations encourage Muslims to be kind to all people; particularly, neighbors, relatives and friends.



Mujahid narrated: "Abdullah bin Amr had a sheep slaughtered for his family, so when he came he said: 'Have you given some to our neighbor, the Jew? Have you given some to our neighbor, the Jew? I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: 'Jibril continued to advise me about (treating) the neighbors so (kindly and politely), that I thought he would order me (from Allah) to make them heirs." {At-Tirmizi}.



The Prophet (PBUH) said: " Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate." {Agreed upon}. This has been stipulated by the Hanbalite as well as the Shafite jurists.



It was stated in" Al-Moheet Al-Borhani" a Hanafite book: "It is recommended that the Muslim offering the sacrifice eats from its meat and gives others as well. He is permitted to give to the rich and the poor as a present, be they Muslims or Dhimmis (From the people of the book)."



Ibn Qodamah, a Hanbalite scholar, stated: "Since he is permitted to eat from the meat of his sacrifice, then he is permitted to give from its meat to the Dhimmi, in analogy to the rest of his food, and since it (sacrifice) is considered a voluntary charity, then he is permitted to give from it to the Dhimmi and the prisoner of war, in analogy to other voluntary charity." {Al-Moghni}. "



[Ksh-shaaf Al-Khina`], a Hanbalite book, stated: "It is permissible for the Muslim offering the sacrifice to give from its meat to {A non-Muslim} as a present." Accordingly, it is recommended that a Muslim gives from the meat of his sacrifice to his non-Muslim neighbors and acquaintances, and Allah will reward him for that. And Allah knows best.