Is designating a defective animal for an obligation that was previously defined by species or genus (*dhimmah*) sufficient?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
If a person designates a defective animal to fulfill an obligation defined generally (in the *dhimmah*), this is not accepted, and he remains obligated to slaughter a proper animal. This follows the principle that if one designates a defective animal for the voluntary sacrifice (*Udhiyah*), it must still be slaughtered, but it does not fulfill the specific obligation unless slaughtered properly.