Qurbani for the deceased is permissible according to the majority of Islamic scholars, and it is one of the most meaningful ways to send reward to a parent, spouse or relative who has passed away. You can give it as a voluntary sacrifice from your own wealth, include your loved one in your own Qurbani, or fulfil a Qurbani they requested in their will. Each option carries its own rules about intention, eligibility and who may eat the meat.
The evidence comes from the Sunnah itself. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sacrificed on behalf of his household and on behalf of his Ummah, a community that included believers who had already died. This guide explains the rulings of the four Sunni schools, the difference between a voluntary Qurbani and a bequeathed one, the correct niyyah, and how to give Qurbani for the deceased through MWA Charity for Eid al Adha 2027.
Quick Answer: Can You Give Qurbani for Someone Who Has Died?
Yes. You can give Qurbani on behalf of a deceased Muslim. The main points are:
- It is a voluntary (nafl) act, not an obligation on the living, unless the deceased left a valid bequest for it.
- If you meet nisab, you should give your own obligatory Qurbani first.
- If you pay from your own money, you may eat from the meat, gift it and give it to the poor.
- If the Qurbani is paid from the deceased’s estate under their will, all the meat must go to the poor.
- The reward reaches the deceased by the mercy of Allah, and you also receive reward for the deed.
The Evidence From the Quran and Sunnah
The Prophet’s Sacrifice on Behalf of His Ummah
Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) called for a horned ram, and when he sacrificed it he said: “In the name of Allah. O Allah, accept this from Muhammad, from the family of Muhammad and from the Ummah of Muhammad” (Sahih Muslim 1967). Other narrations describe two rams, one for himself and his family, and one for every member of his Ummah who testified to the oneness of Allah and his prophethood.
The Ummah at that moment included Companions who had already died, such as the martyrs of Badr and Uhud and his wife Khadijah (RA). Scholars use this as the core proof that a sacrifice can carry reward for the deceased.
The Narration of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Hanash reported that he saw Ali (RA) sacrificing two rams. When asked why, Ali said the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had instructed him to sacrifice on his behalf, so he continued to do so (Sunan Abi Dawud 2790). Some hadith scholars have discussed weakness in its chain, yet many jurists cite it alongside the stronger evidence above.
The General Principle of Sending Reward
The Sunnah establishes that charity given on behalf of a deceased person benefits them. A man told the Prophet (peace be upon him) that his mother had died suddenly and asked whether she would be rewarded if he gave charity for her. The Prophet replied yes (Sahih al Bukhari 1388, Sahih Muslim 1004). Qurbani combines worship and charity through the distribution of meat, so it falls within this principle, known as Isal al Thawab, or conveying reward.
Qurbani for the Deceased According to the Four Madhabs
Scholars agree that a Qurbani made under a valid bequest is carried out. They differ on a voluntary Qurbani made for a deceased person who left no instruction.
| School | Voluntary Qurbani for the Deceased | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Permissible and rewarded | Reward reaches the deceased. The giver may eat the meat if paid from their own wealth. |
| Hanbali | Permissible and rewarded | Many Hanbali scholars say the better practice is to include the deceased within your own household Qurbani. |
| Shafi’i | Not valid as a Qurbani unless the deceased bequeathed it | The act can still be given as general charity, and the reward of the charity reaches them. |
| Maliki | Disliked (makruh) by many Maliki scholars | Valid if bequeathed. Many later scholars accept the reward reaching the deceased. |
Follow the position of your own school or ask a trusted local scholar. For most South Asian Muslims who follow the Hanafi school, a voluntary Qurbani for a deceased parent is clearly permitted and highly encouraged.
The Three Ways to Give Qurbani for the Deceased
The rules on intention and meat depend on how the Qurbani is funded and why it is given.
| Scenario | Who Pays | Ruling | Can Family Eat the Meat? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Voluntary Qurbani for a loved one | You, from your own wealth | Nafl Qurbani, reward sent to the deceased | Yes. Eat, gift and give to the poor. |
| 2. Including the deceased in your own Qurbani | You, as part of your household sacrifice | Permissible per the Prophet’s practice | Yes. Follow normal Qurbani distribution. |
| 3. Qurbani fulfilling the deceased’s will (wasiyyah) | The deceased’s estate | Obligatory to execute the bequest | No. All the meat goes to the poor and needy. |
Scenario 1: Voluntary Qurbani From Your Own Wealth
This is the most common case. You pay for a separate share or animal and dedicate its reward to your father, mother or another relative. In the Hanafi view, the Qurbani is legally yours, because you own the animal. You gift its reward to the deceased. That is why you may eat from it, share it with relatives, and give to the poor.
Scenario 2: Including the Deceased in Your Own Qurbani
Following the Prophet’s example, some scholars, especially in the Hanbali school, prefer that you offer your own Qurbani and include deceased family members in the intention. This keeps the act closer to the Sunnah form. It does not replace the separate obligation of other living adults in your household who meet nisab under the Hanafi view.
Scenario 3: A Qurbani Requested in the Will
If your parent instructed that Qurbani be made for them from their wealth, the heirs must carry out the bequest from the estate. A bequest cannot exceed one third of the estate after debts. In this case, scholars hold that the meat becomes charity for the poor, and the family should not eat from it.
Rules to Follow Before You Give
1. Fulfil Your Own Qurbani First
Under the Hanafi view, Qurbani is wajib on every adult Muslim who owns wealth at or above nisab during the days of sacrifice. Your own obligation comes before any voluntary Qurbani. Once it is complete, you can add as many shares as you wish for loved ones who have passed away.
2. Make a Clear Niyyah
Niyyah is an intention of the heart. There is no fixed wording required. You can simply intend: “O Allah, I offer this Qurbani seeking Your pleasure, and I gift its reward to my mother, [name].” When you give through a charity, the intention you hold when you pay and instruct them is sufficient. You do not need to be present at the slaughter.
3. One Share per Deceased for a Separate Qurbani
If you want each loved one to have their own distinct Qurbani, allocate one small animal or one cow share per person. A single share cannot serve as separate Qurbanis for several people. You can, however, intend that the reward of a voluntary share reaches more than one deceased person, and many Hanafi scholars permit this for nafl Qurbani.
4. Use a Healthy, Eligible Animal
The same standards apply as any Qurbani. Sheep and goats must be at least one year old, cattle at least two, and camels at least five. The animal must be free of obvious lameness, blindness, illness and emaciation (Jami at Tirmidhi 1497).
5. Sacrifice Within the Valid Days
Qurbani is valid only after the Eid prayer on 10 Dhul Hijjah until sunset on 12 Dhul Hijjah, or 13 Dhul Hijjah in the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools. For Eid al Adha 2027, that window is expected to run from Sunday, May 16 to Tuesday, May 18, or Wednesday, May 19, 2027. See the full Dhul Hijjah 2027 calendar for dates.
6. Never Sell the Meat or Pay the Butcher With It
Qurbani meat and hide cannot be sold. Ali (RA) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade giving the butcher any part of the sacrifice as wages (Sahih al Bukhari 1717, Sahih Muslim 1317). The slaughter fee must come from separate money.
Does the Person Giving Qurbani for the Deceased Also Get Reward?
Yes. Scholars explain that the one who performs the good deed is rewarded for the deed itself, while the deceased receives the reward that is gifted to them. Allah’s generosity is not reduced by sharing. This is why many families make Qurbani for their parents every year, keeping them in their worship long after they have passed.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that when a person dies, their deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and a righteous child who prays for them (Sahih Muslim 1631). A Qurbani given by a child for a parent reflects that third category in action.
Qurbani for the Deceased vs Sadaqah Jariyah
Both acts benefit your loved one, but they work differently. Many donors choose both.
| Feature | Qurbani for the Deceased | Sadaqah Jariyah for the Deceased |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Only on the days of Eid al Adha | Any time of the year |
| Duration of benefit | Meat feeds families for several days | Continues for years while people benefit |
| Form | Animal sacrifice and meat distribution | Water well, Quran, mosque, school |
| Frequency | Can be repeated every Eid | One project can benefit for decades |
| Example with MWA | Cow share for a parent | Water well in their name |
A water well built in a parent’s name delivers clean water every day, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) described giving water as one of the best forms of charity. Pairing an annual Qurbani with a lasting project gives your loved one both immediate and continuous reward.
Common Mistakes When Giving Qurbani for the Deceased
- Skipping your own obligation. A voluntary Qurbani for a parent does not replace your own wajib Qurbani if you meet nisab.
- Eating from a bequeathed Qurbani. If the estate funded it under the will, the meat belongs to the poor.
- Assuming it is compulsory. No scholar obliges living heirs to perform Qurbani for the deceased unless a valid bequest exists.
- Giving outside the valid days. An animal slaughtered before the Eid prayer or after the final day counts as ordinary charity, not Qurbani.
- Using one share for several separate Qurbanis. Each distinct Qurbani needs its own share or animal.
How to Give Qurbani for the Deceased With MWA Charity
Giving Qurbani on behalf of a loved one through MWA Charity takes a few minutes, and the impact reaches families who rarely eat meat.
- Choose your Qurbani. Select a cow share or a small animal for each loved one you wish to honour. See our guide to Qurbani prices 2027 for expected costs.
- Add their names. Tell us the name of each deceased person so the sacrifice is made with the right intention.
- Set your niyyah. Hold the intention in your heart that the reward is for them.
- Give early. Donate before Dhul Hijjah begins so animals are secured at fair prices.
- Receive proof. Our team shares photo and video confirmation once the Qurbani is completed and distributed.
MWA Charity is a US registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 83-0841269), serving communities in Uganda, Africa, Pakistan and India with a 100% donation policy. Our donors trust us because we document every project, and we treat a Qurbani made in memory of a loved one with the same care. Contact our team to reserve Qurbani shares for your deceased family members for Eid al Adha 2027, or read our donor reviews.
You can also honour a loved one throughout the year by sponsoring Qurans for mosques in Uganda, building a community mosque, or joining our daily donations programme.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qurbani for the Deceased
Is Qurbani for the deceased allowed in Islam?
Yes. The majority of scholars permit it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed on behalf of his Ummah, which included believers who had died. The Shafi’i school limits it to cases where the deceased left a bequest, but accepts the reward of charity reaching them.
Is it compulsory to give Qurbani for dead parents?
No. It is a voluntary act unless your parent left a valid will requesting it, in which case the heirs must fulfil it from the estate within the one third limit.
Can I eat the meat of a Qurbani made for my deceased father?
If you paid from your own wealth, yes. You may eat, gift and distribute it. If it was paid from his estate under his will, all the meat should go to the poor.
Do I need to give my own Qurbani before one for the deceased?
If you meet nisab, yes. Your own obligatory Qurbani comes first. After that, you can give voluntary shares for any number of loved ones.
What niyyah should I make for Qurbani on behalf of the deceased?
There is no required wording. Intend in your heart that you offer the sacrifice for Allah and gift its reward to the named person. Your intention at the time you instruct the charity is enough.
Can one Qurbani share be given for both of my deceased parents?
For two separate Qurbanis, you need two shares or two animals. For a voluntary share, many scholars allow you to intend its reward for more than one deceased person.
Can I give Qurbani for a deceased non relative, such as a teacher or friend?
Yes. Voluntary Qurbani and its reward can be dedicated to any deceased Muslim, not only family members.
Can I give Qurbani for someone who died many years ago?
Yes. There is no time limit. Many families give Qurbani for their parents and grandparents every year.
Can I give Qurbani for the deceased through a charity overseas?
Yes. Appointing a trusted charity is fully valid. The charity performs the sacrifice on your behalf within the days of Eid and distributes the meat to people in need.
Does the deceased receive the full reward if I give through MWA Charity?
Reward is in the hands of Allah alone. Scholars teach that sincere charity and sacrifice gifted to the deceased reach them by His mercy, and the giver is rewarded as well.
