Qurbaani or Sadaqah?

A person who has the means must do his Qurbaani even if he gets his share of Qurbaani as a gift or has obtained it at a low price. Sadaqah or Khairaat that he will do will not dispense him from his obligation of Qurbaani even if the sum spent in Sadaqah may be very high also.

For example, one can give 2-3 hundred thousand in Sadaqah but one's Qurbaani will always remains in one's responsibility as long as one does not do it. This Sadaqah will not acquit one of one's responsibility of Qurbaani. This will be acquitted by sacrificing a goat or a sheep or by taking a share in a big animal.

Every lock has a special key to open it. One needs this specific key even if it is of iron. The lock will not be opened by another key even if it is/be it in silver or gold. Likewise, it is only by sacrificing an animal that one will be discharged of one's responsibility. And it is this sacrifice that will be considered as an Ibaadah when it is performed during the days of Qurbaani. If one could not do it during these days, one must give the entire animal in Sadaqah without slaughtering it. If one had not yet bought the animal, one must give the value of a goat or a sheep in Sadaqah.

[Version française de "Qourbaani ou sadaqah ?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.11]