Sacrificing on behalf of the dead | Shaykh bin Baz رحمه الله

Question: What is the ruling of the Udhiyah? And is it permissible to sacrifice on behalf of the dead?

Answer: The Udihiyah is a confirmed Sunnah according to most of the scholars because the Prophet ﷺ performed the sacrifice and he encouraged his Ummah to perform the sacrifice. The premise is that it is required during its prescribed time on behalf of the living person himself and his household, and he can share the reward with whomever he wishes from the living and deceased.

As for sacrificing on behalf of the deceased, if the deceased left behind a bequest from a third of his wealth for example, or he established an endowment for this purpose, then it becomes an obligation upon the person responsible for this bequest or endowment to fulfill his request. If the deceased did not leave behind a bequest or endowment, but the person wishes to sacrifice on behalf of his father, his mother or others, then this is good. This is considered a form of charity for the deceased, and charity for the deceased is legislated according to the statement of Ahlus Sunnah wa Jammah.

As for giving the price of the animal in charity upon the premise that this is better than the sacrifice, then if the sacrifice was connected to a bequest or endowment then it is not permissible for the person entrusted to substitute that by giving charity instead. But if it is an optional sacrifice then the affair is broad. As for the Muslim performing Udhiya on behalf of himself and his household, then this is a confirmed Sunnah for the one who has the ability to do so. And the Udhiya sacrifice is better than giving its price in charity.

Source: https://binbaz.org.sa/byreference/fatwas/16861

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee