Question:
Salam. What is the ruling of feeding the meat of animal sacrifice to pets such as cats and chickens?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
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.
Allah SWT states:
لِّيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَّعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ ۖ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ
“That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So, eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.”
Surah al-Hajj (28)
The above verse clearly states that the meat of the sacrificial animal is of benefit for humans and not to the animals. However, it is not an offence to feed the sacrificial meat to pets for it is included under tasarruf (consumption). Especially when one has tried his hardest to benefit the sacrificial meat the best he could from the meat such as the meat, bones and skin, but there is still some excess, then the sacrificial meat can be fed to other animals and it is better than just being thrown away.
Feeding hungry animals is a form of compassion act towards the creations of Allah. From Syaddad bin Aus, the Prophet PBUH said:
إِنَّ اللهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ
“Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan (proficiency, perfection) in all things.”
Sahih Muslim (1955)
The Prophet PBUH told a story regarding a man who gave a drink to a thirsty dog using his shoe and Allah SWT bless the man and forgive him. Then (the Companions around him) said: Allah's Messenger, is there for us a reward even for (serving) such animals? He said:
فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ
“Yes, there is a reward for service to every living animal.”
Sahih al-Bukhari (2363)
This means, compassion and doing good to all the creations will be rewarded. Furthermore, Islam reproaches a person who neglects to feed his pet. Ibnu Umar R.Anhuma narrated that the Prophet PBUH said:
دَخَلَتِ امْرَأَةٌ النَّارَ فِي هِرَّةٍ رَبَطَتْهَا، فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْهَا، وَلَمْ تَدَعْهَا تَأْكُلُ مِنْ خِشَاشِ الأَرْضِ
“A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.”
Sahih al-Bukhari (3318)
Hence, feeding pets with some of the sacrificial meat is neither sinful nor prohibited. This includes hungry animals on the streets.
Wallahua’lam.