Jamiatul Ulama KZN

Is it permissible to slaughter sheep that are under one year of age?

Published as Caution when slaughtering Qurbani sheep under a year old

· 16 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1435 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Q. Is it permissible to slaughter sheep that are under one year of age? I notice many farmers are selling sheep for Qurbani that are lambs around 6 months old but they look so small.

Answer

If a sheep is more than six months old but less than a year, and physically appears to be one year old it will suffice for Qurbani. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, Vol: 5, Pg: 297 & al-Mabsoot, by Sarakhsi, Vol: 12/4, Pg: 9 – 10/141, Darul Ma’rifah)

The condition is that the sheep must be at least six months or older and it must be so big in size that it resembles a one year old sheep. If it is small and does not resemble a one year old sheep in size, the Qurbani will not be valid.

And Allah Knows Best

Answered by
Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed
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Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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Source: Jamiatul Ulama KZN — https://jamiat.org.za/caution-when-slaughtering-qurbani-sheep-under-a-year-old/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/jamiat-13315

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