Question:
Assalamualaikum. I want to ask regarding qorban. For your information, my mom is in the state of coma for 5 years already. Is it permissible for me to do qorban for the sake of my sick mom? Thank you.
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the many 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.
The Sanctioning of Qorban
Worship of qorban is one of the eminences of Islam. It is for all Muslims to preserve and practice. Furthermore, this act of worship was already done by the Prophet Abraham AS who was tested by the commandment of slaughtering his beloved son, Ismael AS. It was to bring him closer to Allah SWT. Allah SWT says in the Quran:
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].”
Al-Kauthar (2)
It is also stated in the hadith:
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُضَحِّي بِكَبْشَيْنِ وَأَنَا أُضَحِّي بِكَبْشَيْنِ
“The Prophet (ﷺ) used to offer two rams as sacrifices, and I also used to offer two rams”
Sahih al-Bukhari (5553)
It is Sunnah muakkadah (highly encouraged Sunnah) to do qorban for all Muslims who are able to do so. (Refer: al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafi’e, 2/478)
Performing Qorban for the Sake of Others
Every deed is rewarded by the intention of the act. It is because, the original basis of worship is to not be done by others, except if there are indications from the dalil which permit it. This is as stated in the Quran:
وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives”
Al-Najm (39)
It is also stated in the Quran:
لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ
“It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained”
Al-Baqarah (286)
Pertaining to this matter, Dr Wahbah al-Zuhaili states in his book: “According to the Syafi’ite scholars, it is impermissible to do qorban, unless with the person’s permission. Same for the case of the deceased. It is impermissible to do qorban for their sake, except it is stated in their will. Only then, it is permissible”. (Refer: al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, 4/2743)
Imam Nawawi in addressing this issue states: “If a person does qorban for others’ sake without having their permission, then the act is not counted as qorban”. (Refer: al-Majmu’ Syarah al-Muhazzab, 8/406)
Besides, Dr Muhammad al-Zuhaili states in his al-Mu’tamad: “It is invalid to do qorban for the sake of other living people, unless after having their permission. This is because, originally, it is impermissible for worships to be done by others, except if there is any valid evidence on doing so. Especially, if there is no permission taken. However, if a person performs qorban, then Sunnah kifayah upon all his households is lifted, although they did not know about it”. (Refer: al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafi’e, 490)
Conclusion
Coming back to the question above, we list out two situations:
- If it is stated in the will to do qorban for him or her, then it is permissible
- However, if there is none, then it is vice versa. The reason is, qorban is an act of worship. Originally, worships cannot be done by others without dalil (evidence) permitting it. (Refer: al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafi’e. 2/490)
- It is best for him to do qorban for his own sake, then the rewards are set to be given to his mother. This is as what is done by the Prophet PBUH himself, where he said during sacrifice (qorban):
بِاسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ
“In the name of Allah," O Allah, accept [this sacrifice] on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and the Umma of Muhammad"
Sahih Muslim (1967)
May we be granted the correct understanding in practising His shari’a. Ameen