What is the ruling if an animal designated as obligatory Hady is slaughtered, but then stolen or perishes?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
If an animal designated for Hady is slaughtered, and afterwards it is stolen or perishes, the person is absolved of further liability. This is the view attributed to Ahmad, as slaughtering fulfills the obligation, just as distributing it would. The evidence is that only distribution remains, and distribution itself is not strictly obligatory, demonstrated by the Prophet's (peace be upon him) statement when he slaughtered the sacrificial camels, saying, 'Whoever wishes, may take a portion.'
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i holds that the offering must be repeated because the right has not reached its recipient, paralleling the situation where the animal was not slaughtered at all. Malik states that the person may eat the meat and feed whomever he wishes, rich or poor, but he is prohibited from selling any part of it.