Do I have to give 1/3 of the Sacrificial (Udhiya) Meat away in Charity?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: On the Eid ul adha we buy 1 lamb, 1 goat and 1 part of beef and we give 1/3 to poor people, 1/3 to friends and family and keep 1/3. Since my husband does not earn lot of money and we have 6 kids can we give 1/3 to family and friends, 1/6 to poor and keep 5/6 of the meat to feed our family properly?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

Yes, it would be permitted to distribute the meat as one wished. [`Ala al-Din `Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

Generally, it is recommended to give a third in charity, feed one’s friends and family with a third, and to keep one third. However, if it would impose difficulty on oneself or family, it would be permitted to give less in charity, or if need be to leave it (i.e. giving away in charity) all together. [ibid.]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani