Sadaqah sacrifice

Sadaqah sacrifice is an optional animal sacrifice which Muslims perform in order to gain closeness to and blessings and rewards from Allah. After the animal is sacrificed, its meat is distributed among the poor and needy.

The intention is to donate the meat of the sacrificed animal into sadaqah for the sake of pleasing Allah. Aside from being a highly rewarded act of worship, donating the meat of a sadaqah sacrifice is also a means of seeking Allah’s protection and mercy. 

It’s also a means of helping those less fortunate around the world, many of whom do not know where their next meal is coming from. It provides vulnerable families with fresh, high-quality meat and may be one of the only times they are able to eat meat in the whole year. 

Unlike qurbani — which is obligatory and timebound — a sadaqah sacrifice is optional and can be performed at any time of the year and regardless of one’s circumstances.

Like qurbani, a saqadah sacrifice can also be performed on behalf of others such as close relatives or the deceased. 

Sadaqah is the term used to describe a voluntary act of charity that is wide-reaching, for example a form of monetary charity or an act of kindness that can be performed in any amount, at any time of the year.

Therefore, any act of kindness or support extended to other beings (including animals) for the sake of Allah (SWT), can be considered a sadaqah or charity.

The literal translation is ‘righteousness’. However, in the modern-day context, it has come to mean ‘voluntary charity’. The word stems from ‘sidq’, which means sincerity. This suggests that sadaqah is a righteous behaviour, which shows sincerity of faith.

Sadaqah sacrifice is a blessed sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is therefore highly blessed and rewarded. In a Hadith narrated by Bukhari it is said whenever the Prophet (PBUH) would slaughter a sheep, he would cut it into pieces and send them to the his late wife Khadijah’s friends (may Allah be pleased with her).

By performing a sadaqah sacrifice we have the opportunity to fulfil a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to share the blessings that Allah has given us with those who are less fortunate. 

Sadaqah sacrifice can provide vulnerable families with valuable nourishment and allow them to enjoy a meal together. For many, this may be one of the only times they have the opportunity to eat meat in the whole year. By helping and pleasing Allah’s creation, we have the opportunity to gain great blessings and rewards in this life and the next. 

A sadaqah sacrifice is a means of expressing our gratitude to Allah for the favours and bounties which He has bestowed upon us, and strengthening our connection with Him. It’s important to remember that our wealth and all that we possess are blessings from Allah. 

Muslims across the world are struggling with severe poverty and do not have the means to feed their children, particularly in Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan and East Africa. Your sadaqah sacrifice is needed more than ever, and together we can help tackle this hunger crisis. 

Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity. It is given for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah (SWT), without expecting anything in return.

We know that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very generous. He (PBUH) would give his food, money, and belongings to the poor and often letting himself go hungry.

Sadaqah not only purifies one’s own wealth, but also helps to establish a flow of wealth in society.

Sadaqah is a means of becoming closer to Allah, seeking His pleasure, and earning great rewards, blessings and protection. 

Millions of people struggle everyday with poverty, with many people going days and months without proper food. Your donation could provide a family with a meal and give them the vital nutrients they need.

Sadaqah sacrifice through Islamic Relief is designed to allow people to donate the sacrifice meal directly to those most in need. It provides an opportunity for those who cannot afford to purchase meat, to have the nutritional benefit of an Islamic Relief meat packet. The project involves the distribution of these fresh meat packets to the most vulnerable people, including women, children, the elderly and refugees. Each meat packet distributed contains a sufficient amount of meat (5kgs on average) for a family.

The sacrifice is usually carried out by an adult male according to normal Sharia (legal) guidelines regarding meat. The animal(s) must be healthy, meet the requirements for minimal age for slaughter and not be slaughtered in sight of other animals.

The sacrifice is then divided between the family members who are carrying out the sacrifice. It’s then handed out to the poor and needy.

We sacrifice goats and sheep as part of the programme, and we provide raw meat to our beneficiaries so that they may cook it to their preference.

Islamic Relief’s sadaqah sacrifice can take place in any one of the countries Islamic Relief operates in. You can find out more about the countries we work in on this page. 

Islamic Relief also makes sure that animals are transported and slaughtered humanely in accordance with Islamic guidelines. And, as we manage the whole transportation and logistics network, we make certain that all meat is handled, packed and distributed with strict hygiene standards in place.

Your sadaqah sacrifice donation will provide a family in need with a meal to quell their hunger.