What is the maximum number of participants allowed in a collective sacrifice of a camel or a cow?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)
Primary text
It is permissible for seven individuals to share in the sacrifice of a camel (badana) or a cow, whether the sacrifice is obligatory or voluntary. This permissibility holds whether all participants intend the sacrifice as an act of worship (qurbah) or if some intend worship while others intend the meat for consumption. This is the position of Al-Shafi'i. The evidence is the narration from Jabir, stating that the Messenger of Allah commanded them to share in camels and cows, with seven men per beast, as narrated by Muslim.
Supporting text
Malik holds that sharing in the sacred sacrificial animal (hady) is not permissible. Abu Hanifa permits sharing only if all participants intend it as an act of worship; he does not permit it if some participants do not intend worship because the slaughter is singular, and thus the intention of worship should not be compromised. The counter-argument to Abu Hanifa is that the partitioned portion does not become void due to the intention of a non-worshiping partner, just as it remains valid when the intentions of worship differ, such as some intending sacrifice and others expiation (fidya).