What is the ruling on utilizing the milk of an animal designated for sacrifice?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Sacrifices (Uḍḥiyah)
Primary text
The milk of the designated sacrificial animal may only be consumed if it is in excess of what is needed for its offspring. If there is no excess, or if milking harms the animal or diminishes its meat, the milk cannot be taken. If none of the aforementioned harms exist, the owner may drink the milk and benefit from it. This is the view of Al-Shafi'i.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa mandates that the animal not be milked; instead, water should be sprinkled on the udder until the milk ceases. If the owner milks it, he must give the milk away in charity, because the milk is a product of the obligatory sacrifice, and the sacrificer cannot benefit from it, similar to the offspring. The justification for permitting the use of milk when it does not cause harm, unlike wool or hair which must be given away, is that milk is ephemeral; if not drunk, it spoils or causes harm by solidifying, whereas wool and hair are permanent assets. Furthermore, milk is derived from the animal's sustenance, making its use permissible, analogous to a pledgee utilizing the pledged property.