Can a Needy Agent Keep the Entire Qurbani Sacrifice?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

If my poor relative arranges my qurbani for me, is it allowed for them to keep all the meat?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

Yes, if you give them clear permission. The meat from your qurbani is yours. Your relative, as your agent, is simply carrying out the sacrifice for you.

If you tell them directly that they may keep all the meat, it is allowed for them to do so.

The well-known practice of dividing the meat into three parts—one for yourself, one for family and friends, and one for the poor—is recommended, but not required. The Quran allows you to eat from your sacrifice and to feed the needy, without setting any fixed portions.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said of the sacrifice, “Eat, store, and give in charity.”

Imam Kasani explains that the owner has full choice in how to distribute the meat.

It is best to give a third in charity, keep a third for your household, and share a third with family and friends. But if you keep all the meat for your household, this is also permitted in the Hanafi school. [al-Sana’i]

The Limit: Acting as an Agent

There is one important limit. Unless you give clear permission, your agent cannot take the meat for themselves. The agent acts on your behalf, not for their own benefit.

If you clearly state your permission—whether by saying it or writing it—your relative may keep all the meat.

Caring for Relatives Through Qurbani

Directing a qurbani toward a poor relative is a beautiful act of joining family ties (silat al-rahim). The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever wants his provision expanded and his life extended, let him maintain the ties of kinship.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

And Allah alone knows best.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Key Points on Qurbani Meat and Agency

1. Do I have to give a third of the qurbani meat in charity? It is recommended to divide the meat into three parts—family, friends, and the poor—but this is not required. If your family is in need or your household is large, you may keep more or even all of the meat.
2. Who should I give Eid sacrifice meat to? There is no restriction on which needy person may receive the meat. You may give it to a friend or a relative who could not afford to perform the sacrifice themselves.
3. The meaning of qurbani (Eid sacrifice): You may appoint someone else to perform the sacrifice for you. There is no harm in giving most or all of the meat to others, instead of keeping a third for yourself.
4. Qurbani meat distribution: If more than one animal is sacrificed in a household, the distribution is flexible. The main concern is to benefit others and meet the needs of the community, not to follow strict ratios.
5. Can an Eid Sacrifice Be Done on Behalf of Someone Else? (Shafi’i) While focusing on the Shafi’i school, this answer highlights the importance of permission. An agent (the relative) cannot perform or determine the fate of the sacrifice without the explicit consent of the owner of the sacrifice.

Related Answers

• Who Should I Give Eid Sacrifice Meat To?
  Explains who qualifies to receive Qurbani meat and how it may be distributed among the needy, friends, and family.
• Qurbani Meat Distribution
  Clarifies whether all the meat may be divided differently between one’s family, guests, and the poor.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.