Blog
Qurbani on Behalf of Deceased Parents and Loved Ones
One of the most emotionally significant questions that comes to Muslims as Eid al-Adha approaches is this: can I give Qurbani for my mother who passed away last year? For my father? For a brother, a grandparent, a friend who is no longer here?
The answer of Islamic scholarship is yes. Giving Qurbani on behalf of a deceased person is not only permissible but considered a deeply meritorious act of charity. This article explains the ruling, how to perform it correctly, and how to book it through Qurbani for Unity.
The Scholarly Ruling on Qurbani for the Deceased
The majority position across all four madhabs is that giving Qurbani on behalf of a deceased person is permissible and the reward reaches them. This is based on the broader Islamic principle that charity given on behalf of the deceased benefits their souls in the afterlife.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sacrificed for members of his Ummah who could not do so themselves. He gave Sadaqa on behalf of the dead. Scholars draw on these precedents to confirm that Qurbani for a deceased person carries the same spiritual validity.
Imam al-Nawawi of the Shafi’i school stated that Sadaqa on behalf of the deceased is recommended and the reward reaches them. Ibn Qudama of the Hanbali school confirmed the permissibility of making Qurbani for a dead person as an act of voluntary charity. The Hanafi position supports it as well, though some specify it should be a voluntary rather than obligatory Qurbani in their name.
This Is Sadaqa Jariyah: Ongoing Reward
Giving Qurbani on behalf of your deceased parent is one of the most tangible forms of Sadaqa Jariyah. It is an act that continues to earn reward for both the giver and the recipient long after the physical act is complete. The dua made by the families who receive the meat, made with the name of your parent, is a form of ongoing charity that does not end at the dinner table.
| إِذَا مَاتَ الإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — Sahih Muslim |
Qurbani given on behalf of your deceased parent is ongoing charity. It is meat given to the needy in their name. It is dua made for their souls. It is a child honouring a parent long after they have gone.
How to Give Qurbani for a Deceased Person
The process is simple. At checkout, enter the deceased person’s name in the niyyah field. Add a note in the order comments specifying that this Qurbani is being given on their behalf. Our team will confirm the niyyah at the time of slaughter.
The Qurbani certificate will be issued in the deceased person’s name. If you would like the certificate to show both names, for example ‘On behalf of Ahmad Khan, gifted by his son Ibrahim Khan’, note this preference in the order comments.
This Qurbani does not replace your own personal obligatory Qurbani. It is an additional act given as a gift to the deceased. Many Muslims give their own Qurbani first and then give a second Qurbani for a deceased parent as an act of honour and remembrance.
| Give Qurbani in Honour of Someone You Have Lost — Book Now QurbaniForUnity.com/shop |
Frequently Asked Questions: Qurbani for the Deceased
| Does Qurbani for a deceased person reach them? Yes, according to the scholarly consensus across all four madhabs. The reward of Sadaqa given on behalf of the deceased reaches their soul. This is affirmed by the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) regarding ongoing charity for the dead and by the practice of the Companions. |
| Should I give my own Qurbani first before giving one for my parent? Yes. Your personal Qurbani obligation, if you are eligible, should be fulfilled first. A Qurbani for a deceased parent is a voluntary additional act, not a substitution for your own. |
| How many deceased people can I give Qurbani for? There is no limit. You can give Qurbani for multiple deceased family members, each requiring a separate animal or share. Many families give a single cow and designate the seven shares to seven different deceased family members. |
| Can I give Qurbani on behalf of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? Many scholars permit this as a voluntary act of love and reverence. The Prophet himself gave Qurbani for his household and his Ummah. Scholars consider giving Qurbani in his name a meritorious voluntary act. |
