Sacrificing on the name of anyone besides Allah Ta'ala

Q: 

1. Is sacrificing meat for anyone other than Allah considered an act of shirk (associating partners with Allah), or is it regarded as a bid’ah (innovation) that does not amount to shirk? 

2. If it is indeed shirk, then what is the ruling if a Muslim sacrifices meat for a highly revered figure in Islam such as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), or Ali (may Allah be pleased with him); or alternatively, if the sacrifice is made for a sacred Islamic site like the Ka'bah or Masjid al-Aqsa? Would such an act nullify the person's faith (iman)?

A: 

1. Sacrificing on the name of anyone besides Allah is major shirk through which one will come out of the fold of Islam.

2. Sacrificing for Allah Ta'ala and conveying the reward to Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasalaam), the Ambiya, Sahaabah and the pious is permissible and a greatly rewarding action in Islam.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)