Is it permissible to buy a sacrifice with a credit card? According to the Diyanet, there is only one condition.

02.06.2025 12:00

As the Feast of Sacrifice approaches, the Religious Affairs High Council of the Presidency of Religious Affairs has answered questions regarding the sacrifice. Topics such as who is obligated to perform the sacrifice and the qualities of the animals to be sacrificed were addressed. Additionally, it was clarified whether it is permissible to purchase a sacrifice using credit cards and installment plans, as well as whether a sacrifice can be performed with a bank loan.

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The Feast of Sacrifice, which holds great importance for the Islamic world, will begin on Friday, June 6. The process of slaughtering animals that meet certain conditions for the purpose of worship to gain Allah's pleasure will be carried out within the specified time during the Feast of Sacrifice.

The Religious Affairs Administration's High Council of Religious Affairs answered 10 frequently asked questions about the sacrifice.

1 - WHEN DOES THE TIME FOR SACRIFICE BEGIN?

The time for sacrifice will begin after the Eid prayer in places where the Eid prayer is performed, and after the morning prayer time has entered in places where the Eid prayer is not performed. The sacrificial animals must be slaughtered within the days of the Feast of Sacrifice. During this time, sacrifices can be made both at night and during the day.

2 - WHO IS OBLIGED TO SACRIFICE?

Every Muslim who is of sound mind, has reached puberty, possesses sufficient wealth beyond their basic needs and debts, and is not on a journey is considered obliged to sacrifice. Accordingly, those who possess wealth equivalent to 80.18 grams of gold or its value, beyond their basic needs and debts, are required to sacrifice.

3 - WHICH ANIMALS CAN BE SACRIFICED?

The animal to be sacrificed must be healthy, have complete organs, and be well-fed. Therefore, animals that are severely ill, weak, unable to walk to the place of slaughter, lame to the extent that they cannot walk, blind in one or both eyes, have broken horns, or have significant injuries to their tongue, tail, ears, or teats, or have most of their teeth missing cannot be sacrificed. However, being naturally hornless, slightly cross-eyed, mildly lame, slightly ill, having one ear pierced or torn, or having less than half of their teats does not prevent the animal from being sacrificed.

4 - IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO SLAUGHTER AN ANIMAL BY STUNNING IT WITH ELECTRICITY OR ANESTHESIA?

The classical method of slaughtering is essential. However, to avoid causing excessive suffering to the animal, it is considered permissible to stun the animal with electric shock, anesthesia, or a similar method during slaughter. If the animal dies from shock before being slaughtered, it will not be considered a sacrifice, and its meat will not be permissible to eat. For the meat of a sacrificial or slaughtered animal to be permissible, the animal must be alive at the time of slaughter.

5 - DOES GIVING CHARITY INSTEAD OF SACRIFICING FULFILL THE WORSHIP?

The act of sacrifice is only considered fulfilled when the animal designated for sacrifice is slaughtered according to the proper method. Simply donating the monetary equivalent does not fulfill the act of sacrifice. Giving the animal as charity to someone without slaughtering it does not count as a sacrifice. Similarly, giving the monetary equivalent of the sacrifice to the poor or charitable organizations does not fulfill the act of sacrifice.

6 - CAN OTHERS BE INCLUDED AS PARTNERS IN AN ANIMAL PURCHASED FOR SACRIFICE LATER?

Individuals wishing to sacrifice can partner with up to 7 people for large animals. Such an animal can be purchased in partnership with up to 7 people, or after it has been purchased, others can be included as partners, provided that the total number does not exceed 7. However, each share of the partnered large animal must be no less than one-seventh.

7 - IS IT PERMISSIBLE FOR THE OWNER OF THE SACRIFICE TO SELL PARTS LIKE MEAT, SKIN, AND INTESTINES?

The meat of the sacrifice can be consumed partially or completely by the owner and their household, and it can also be given as a gift or charity to others, whether rich or poor. However, selling the meat, offal, skin, wool, and milk of the sacrifice by the owner is not permissible. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever sells the skin of the sacrifice has not sacrificed." Therefore, if the skin or meat of the sacrifice is sold, the proceeds must be given as charity.

8 - IS IT PERMISSIBLE FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ORGANIZE SACRIFICES ON BEHALF OF OTHERS TO SELL THE MEAT?

Selling the meat of the sacrifice and using it for other purposes contradicts the act of sacrifice. It is not considered appropriate for some individuals and organizations to plan the sale of the meat before the sacrifice is performed. Therefore, organizations that perform sacrifices on behalf of others must carry out the slaughter and distribute the meat to those in need before considering selling it. However, if efforts have been made to distribute the meat to those in need but it cannot be delivered for various reasons, and there is a risk of the remaining meat going to waste, it can be sold, and the proceeds can be distributed to those in need according to the intentions of the sacrifice owners.

9 - IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO PURCHASE A SACRIFICE WITH A CREDIT CARD AND IN INSTALLMENTS?

A person obligated to sacrifice can purchase the sacrificial animal either in cash or with a credit card in a single payment or in installments. However, they must pay the credit card debt on time and avoid falling into interest due to delays. Since the property of the item purchased through installments passes to the buyer, there is no objection to the person who has the financial means to sacrifice using this method to purchase the animal for sacrifice.

10 - CAN A SACRIFICE BE MADE WITH A BANK LOAN?

A person who will sacrifice can purchase their sacrifice in cash or by borrowing. However, the loan should not be interest-bearing. Those who cannot afford to sacrifice with their own means are not considered to be following religious guidelines by resorting to such methods.