Question :
What is the ruling on delegating charities to slaughter Udhiyahs?
The Answer :
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is permissible to appoint someone to buy and slaughter Udhiyah (Sacrifice at Eid al-Adha). Therefore, it is permissible for a Muslim to pay the price of an Udhiyah to a reliable charity in order for the latter to buy and slaughter it, even outside one`s country since the Udhiyahs there are cheaper. However, the following conditions must be met:
1. The Udhiyah is slaughtered during the day of Eid al-Adha or the three days of Tashreeq (The three days that succeed the day of Eid Al Adha).
2. The age of Udhiyah: No less than five years for camels, two years for cows and goats and six months for the sheep if it looks one year old.
3. The Udhiyah has no defects affecting its meat or body, so it isn`t permissible to sacrifice the one-eyed animal.
4. The meat is distributed among the poor Muslims.
5. If the charities undertake the task of slaughtering Udhiyahs on behalf of a group of people, the individuals in charge of the slaughtering must have lists of the names of those who have delegated the charity. In addition, upon slaughtering the animal, the slaughterer must mention the name of the person on whose behalf the animal is being slaughtered. As far as we know, this is practiced by the companies delegated to slaughter Udhiyah, Hadi (Animal sacrifice), and Fidyah (A means of compensation for a missed action or a violation of a Hajj-related law) on behalf of the pilgrims in Mina.
In conclusion, we express our gratitude to the charities that take charge of this matter since they facilitate for Muslims to perform this great ritual through providing Udhiyahs with low prices that every citizen can afford. Thus, may Allah Reward them with all that is good and Accept the Udhiyahs from all. And Allah The lmighty Knows Best.