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Fatwa CenterOffering a sacrifice to other than Allaah is major Shirk
Question
It is a tradition in our country that the fiancé offers a sacrifice to an ally of Allaah The Almighty. It is believed that if he does not do this, the ally will harm him. Is it permissible to believe in such things? Is there a minimum dowry mentioned in Sharee‘ah? What is the correct way to adhere to the teachings of Islam?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
The traditions that were mentioned by the questioner are disgraceful and oppressive for they constitute Shirk. Offering anyone else other than Allaah The Almighty a sacrifice out of humility and seeking closeness to the person or thing involved is the type of Shirk that results in apostasy. In fact, offering sacrifices is a form of worship and Allaah The Almighty alone is worthy of worship. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].}[Quran 108:2]
• {Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allaah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."} [Quran 6:162-163]
It is prohibited to eat animals that are slaughtered with that intention for they are slaughtered for the sake of someone other than Allaah The Almighty. This point was mentioned by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah 
.
It is obligatory on the person who does this to repent and renew his Islam because death may overtake him at any time and if he does not repent he will die as a disbeliever. In a Hadeeth of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he mentioned that Allaah The Almighty curses those who offer sacrifices for the sake of someone else other than Him. [Muslim]
In addition to this, the kind of fear that was mentioned in the question constitutes another form of Shirk because fearing someone out of love and humility is also another form of worship that must be dedicated only to Allaah The Almighty, who Says (what means): {That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.}[Quran 3:175]
Hence, it is now your duty to avoid such traditions after knowing that they are considered the kind of Shirk that results in apostasy.
There is no minimum or maximum dowry in Sharee‘ah, however, Islam encourages people to ask for small dowries and to facilitate marriage.
We advise our questioner to seek religious knowledge in order to have more understanding of Sharee‘ah, especially the topics that are related to Shirk and faith. This can be done by reading books that deal with the issue of Tawheed (monotheism).
Indeed, the most important thing for man is to die while having firm belief in Tawheed. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that anyone who dies while associating no partners with Allaah The Almighty will be admitted into Paradise; and anyone who dies while associating partners with Allaah The Almighty will be admitted into Hell. [Muslim]
Also, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, Allaah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allaah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.}[Quran 4:48]
In addition, our questioner should learn all about the obligations enjoined on her including prayers, fasting, and matters that are related specifically to women such as Hijab and rulings related to menstruation and post-childbirth. The best way to learn about this is to ask trustworthy scholars.
Finally, we ask Allaah The Almighty to guide us all to what He loves and what pleases Him.
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