follow from its formal designation. Once it has been formally designated, it may not be sold, because it has become a charity devoted to Allah. Like an endowment, it may not be sold; and a slave who has been emancipated may not be sold. Therefore, it may not be sold under any circumstances, even if it becomes weak and emaciated.

His statement, “or given away,” means that it is not permissible to give it to anyone as a gift. The difference between a sale and a gift is that a sale involves compensation, whereas a gift is a voluntary transfer without compensation.

May it be given in charity?

The answer is: it may not be given in charity. Rather, it must be slaughtered. After it has been slaughtered, he may, if he wishes, give it as a gift and give in charity whatever portion must be given in charity; if he wishes, he may keep it; and if he wishes, he may give all of it in charity. However, he must give a portion of it in charity, as will be mentioned, Allah willing (1).

It follows from this that it must be slaughtered. Thus, if a person is leading his sacrificial animal for the Sacred House and encounters some poor people who say, “Give it to us,” and he gives it to them, does that fulfil his sacrificial offering?

The answer is: it does not fulfil it.

But if they say, “We will slaughter it for you,” and he appoints them to do so, does that fulfil it?

The answer is that there are details to consider: if he trusts them and is confident that they will slaughter it, then there is no problem; they are acting as his agents. But if he does not trust them, such that he fears they will take it away and then sell it, then this does not fulfil it.

Question: Suppose someone says, “I have a poor neighbour who has asked me to give him my udhiyah so that he may slaughter it and give it in charity. Is it better to give it to him, or is it better to give him another animal so that he may offer it as his own udhiyah?”