Question:
Recently, my mother became seriously ill. This led me to make a vow that, if she gets better, I will sacrifice two goats and distribute the meat between the poor and needy. Alhamdu lillah, she has become better. Now I am wondering whether I will have to sacrifice the animals, or can I just donate their market value to a charitable organisation which will purchase necessary foods for the poor and needy and distribute amongst them?
Answer:
باسمه تعالى
Yes. You can donate the market value of the goats, as the principal purpose behind a vow to sacrifice an animal is the intention of charitable giving. Therefore, distributing the money or goods, instead of sacrificing the animals, will be sufficient.
Answered by:
Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa, Birmingham
احسن الفتاوى: ج 5، ص 482-483
في الدر المختار: «نذر أن يتصدق بعشرة دراهم من الخبز، فتصدق بغيره، جاز إن ساوى العشرة» كتصدقه بثمنه. (رد المحتار: ج 11، ص 334، طبعة دار الثقافة والتراث، دمشق)