THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SACRIFICE

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SACRIFICE

As a matter of caution, one-third of the sacrifice must be given in charity to the needy faithful, one-third to the faithful as a gift and one-third can be eaten by the owner. It is not obligatory to hand over the one-third to the poor personally but it is permissible to hand it to his agent (even if the agent is the owner of the sacrifice himself) who would distribute according to the instructions of the principal, whether gift to another or sell or abandon or otherwise. It is desirable to take the meat of the sacrifice from Mina if people who are there do not need it.

It is not necessary that the sacrifice be physically divided in three parts. It is enough if he gives one-third undivided share of it in charity, one-third undivided share of it as a gift and eats a portion from the remaining one-third himself.

If a person receives a portion by way of charity or gift, he is free to deal with it as he pleases and there is no objection in his passing ownership in it to a non-faithful or a non-Muslim.

If the animal is stolen after the slaughter as a sacrifice or forcibly snatched before distribution of the meat by way of charity or gift, there is no obligation on the owner of the sacrifice. However, if he deliberately wastes it or gives it to persons not entitled to it, then, as a matter of caution, he is liable for the portion of the poor, that is one-third, as a matter of caution.