Q: Can I make a Qurbani for a deceased person?
A. One is allowed to make Qurbani for a deceased. This is substantiated from the books of Hadeeth and Fiqh.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) requested Sayyidina Ali (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) to offer Qurbani on his behalf after his demise, as mentioned in Tirmidhi (V.4, p.84), and Abu Dawood (v.3 p.50.).
It is stated in the Fiqh work Raddul Muhtaar (v. 6, p. 404) of Allaamah Ibn Aabideen that a man is allowed to convey the rewards of his good deeds such as prayers, fasting, charity, hajj, etc. to another.
In Hidaayah, a renowned Hanafi Fiqh book, it is clearly stated that when one offers charity the intention of reward should include all believing men and women.
This is the belief of the Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah.
Remember if one is by the means to make Qurbani, it will be compulsory to make Qurbani for oneself and thereafter, if one wishes, for the deceased. If a person is by the means, Qurbani on his own name is compulsory and optional for the deceased.
Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai