Udh-hiyah avails both the one who offers it and his children

22/11/2009| IslamWeb

Question

What is the age for the children when one should stop slaughtering a sacrificial animal on their behalf?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If what is meant are the children who are provided for by their guardian, then one Udh-hiyah avails them and their guardian. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Ayyoob, may Allah be pleased with him, that they used to slaughter one sacrificial sheep on behalf of the man and his family members.

There is no definite age for that, for as long as the children are provided for by their father, then one sacrificial animal would avail them all. If the child lives independently, it will be recommended that he sacrifices on behalf of himself.

If what is meant is sacrificing on behalf of little children who have money and are not supported by a father because they are orphans, then the predominant opinion is that it is permissible to buy a sacrificial animal by the orphan’s money as long as this will not cause him financial harm. Allah Knows best.