No harm in delegating a trusted entity to slaughter the sacrificial animal on one's behalf

21-9-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

I performed Tamattu‘ Hajj and on the morning of the tenth of Thul-Hijjah, I went to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and paid the value of a sacrificial animal; they informed me that they would slaughter it and distribute its meat on my behalf. Then, I threw the jamrah of Al-‘Aqabah (stoning of the devil), shaved my head, put on perfume, and took off the ihram (ritual consecration) clothes. Afterward, I performed tawaf al-ifaadhah (circumambulation for Hajj) as well as sa‘y (going back and forth between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah) without knowing whether the bank had already slaughtered the sacrificial animal or not. Do I bear any sin for that? Was ending the state of ihram valid that way?

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Answer:

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

It is better for the pilgrim to slaughter the sacrificial animal by himself so as to follow the example of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and to be sure of fulfilling the obligation.

However, if the pilgrim authorizes a trusted entity, which is recommended by people of knowledge and experience, to slaughter the sacrificial animal on his behalf, there is nothing wrong in that. Hence, if this entity is trusted and accredit by scholars, what you did is valid and clears your liability. Allah Willing.

Allah Knows best.