Is substitution between animals with different types of defects permissible?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
It is not permissible if the type of defect differs, such as substituting a lame animal for a blind one, or vice versa, because they are not alike. However, if the substitution is between two animals with the same defect but in different locations—such as one blind in the right eye substituted for one blind in the left eye, or one lame in one leg substituted for one lame in another—it is permissible because this is a minor difference and the type of defect is the same.