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Fatwa CenterCan the woman's Udh-hiyah fulfill the obligation on behalf of her and her household members?
Question
I am a wealthy woman and want to offer Udh-hiyah (‘Eed sacrificial animal) this year. Is it permissible for me to do so, although my husband will not, due to his financial difficulties? Would this Udh-hiyah fulfill my duty, as well as that of my household, knowing that I do not work or have a source of income?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Offering Udh-hiyah is of great virtue, and you should not neglect it as long as you can afford it; this is a confirmed act of Sunnah that some of the people of knowledge have even considered obligatory. But the question is: is it valid for your household members to have a share in your Udh-hiyah when you are not their provider? Scholars differed about this ruling, but the preponderant opinion is that this is permissible, as long as you are all financially supported by the same person.
The general texts [of the Quran and Sunnah, and the actions of the Companions] support this opinion. ‘Attaa’ ibn Yasaar 
said: "I asked Abu Ayyoob Al-Ansaari about the Udh-hiyah during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam; he said: 'In the days of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, a man would sacrifice a sheep on behalf of himself and the members of his household, and they would eat from it and give some to others. [This was the case] until people started to vie in glory and things became as you can see them now.'" [Ibn Maajah and At-Tirmithi, Saheeh]
It was also narrated by Ash-Sha‘bi that Abu Sareehah 
said: "My family drove me to act contrary to the Sunnah despite my knowledge of it. A household used to slaughter one or two sheep [at the time of the Prophet 
], and now, our neighbors would call us niggardly [if we did that, so my family makes me slaughter more]." [Ibn Maajah]
To be on the safe side, you may gift your husband the money and he can buy the Udh-hiyah and slaughter it on behalf of himself and all your family members, if he is your guardian.
Allaah Knows best.
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