What is the ruling when a person vows an animal for sacrifice from their general responsibility and later specifies an animal?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)

Book 57 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If an individual vows a sacrificial animal (udhiyah) from their general obligation (dhimmah) and subsequently specifies a particular sheep, that specific sheep becomes the definitive object of the vow. If this specified sheep develops a defect (a'abah) before slaughter, it does not suffice for the vow. This is because the obligation in the person's dhimmah is only discharged by sacrificing a sound animal, analogous to vowing the freeing of a slave or being obligated to free one for expiation; if the purchased slave develops a defect before freeing, it does not suffice.