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Slaughtering camels on special occasions
Original (Arabic): https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/10/نحر-الابل-عند-المناسبات
Question: It is customary among some tribes to slaughter camels on certain occasions. Is this considered a defect in the aqidah?
Answer: This involves detail. If the slaughtering was done for guests and to feed people, then there is no harm in it, and it is a legislated act. But if it was done upon meeting kings or upon meeting those of high rank, out of veneration for them, then this is shirk, because it is slaughtering for other than Allah, and it falls under the general meaning of His saying, the Most High: And likewise slaughtering it at the graves as a reminder of the generosity and nobility of the deceased — this is from the practice of the Jahiliyyah, and it is an evil act that is not permissible, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ He said: There is no hamstringing [of animals] in Islam..
If it is intended thereby to draw near to the people of the graves, this is major shirk; and likewise slaughtering for jinn and idols, all of it is major shirk. We ask Allah for safety from that.[1].
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحۡمَ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِۖ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ غَيۡرَ بَاغٖ وَلَا عَادٖ فَلَآ إِثۡمَ عَلَيۡهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٌ
He has forbidden you only the Maytatah (dead animals), and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a scrifice for others than Allah (or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience nor transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Qur'an 2:173 — trans. Hilali & Khan
If it is intended thereby to draw near to the people of the graves, this is major shirk; and likewise slaughtering for jinn and idols, all of it is major shirk. We ask Allah for safety from that.[1].
- Majmu' Fatawa Ibn Baz (1/53).