Question:
Is it permissible for mosques to accept cows for sacrifice from non-Muslims? Usually, they are donated by non-Muslim businessman or politicians.
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
In answering the above question, there are several issues that need to be addressed:
- First, if the contribution is for sacrifice on the behalf of the non-Muslims, then the sacrifice is invalid, for non-Muslims are not obligated for the worship of sacrifice and the sanctioning of sacrifice is inapplicable for them.
- Second, if it is a contribution (donation) for Muslims, then the ruling is the same as hibah (gift) and Islam does not prohibit Muslims from accepting gifts from non-Muslims. Furthermore, the Prophet PBUH himself accepted the gifts from the non-Muslims. This is in accordance with a hadith of al-Bukhari where the Prophet PBUH accepted a gift of a robe from Ukaidir (a Christian) from Dauma.
Thus, here we state that it is permissible to accept cows for sacrifice contributed by non-Muslims. The contributed cows should be managed as the following:
- The animal for sacrifice should be given to the mosque’s committee to be managed.
- The mosque’s committee should choose the poor, needy or any individual to represent the portions of sacrifice.
- It is sunnah for the chosen individual to take not more than 1/3 of the sacrificed animal’s meat.
- If necessary, it is permissible for the mosque’s committee to charge a reasonable amount for the chosen individual receiving a portion in the sacrifice.
This has been stated in the book Guidelines for the Worship of Sacrifice, Volume 2, year 2013 by Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM), on page 27.
Wallahua’lam.