What are the obligations when a person vows to offer a sacrifice or gift to a location other than Mecca?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Vows
Primary text
If a person vows to offer a gift (hadī) to a location other than Mecca, such as Medina, military frontiers (thughūr), or vows to perform the slaughter (dhabh) there, the vow necessitates performing the slaughter and ensuring the gifted item reaches that specific location. Furthermore, the meat from the sacrifice must be distributed among the people of that place, as this distribution fulfills the vow's intention of benefiting the poor there, which is an act of worship (qurbah). This obligation is established based on the Prophet's instruction to fulfill the vow unless the place contains objects deserving prohibition. The evidence for proceeding with fulfillment, provided no prohibited elements existed, is the narration where a man vowed to slaughter a camel at Buwānah, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, inquired if it contained any idols of pre-Islamic ignorance (awthān al-jāhiliyyah) or any of their festivals (eid). Upon receiving a negative answer, the Prophet commanded, "Fulfill your vow." This narration supports the requirement to ensure the location is free from objects associated with idolatry or forbidden commemorations.
Supporting text
The vow is void if the specified location contains anything prohibited for veneration, such as a church (kanīsah), an idol, or anything else glorified by disbelievers or others that is not meant for sanctification, like a tree, a grave, a stone, or a water spring. The presence of such objects invalidates the vow because the Prophet's question about idols and festivals implies prohibition. Moreover, honoring such sites equates to glorifying what God has not glorified, resembling the veneration of idols by disbelievers, which is forbidden, similar to the curse upon those who make graves into mosques or light lamps upon them.