Nasihah (Advice): Jealousy destroys the reward of good actions
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said: “Indeed, jealousy consumes good deeds like fire consumes firewood” (Abu Dawood, Hadith #: 4257, Narrated by Abu Hurayrah)
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Question and Answer:
Q. A person needs to do Aqeeqah for his child during the days of Qurbani. He can only afford one sheep. Should he do the Aqeeqah for the child or should he do Qurbani?
(Question published as received)
A. It should be noted that Qurbani is a Wajib (Mandatory) act and Aqeeqah is a Mustahab (preferable) act. By a person possessing the Nisaab amount during the days of Qurbani, Qurbani becomes Wajib upon him. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyyah, Vol: 17, Pg: 512).
A person will not be sinful for omitting a Mustahab act but will be sinful for omitting a Wajib act. He should therefore do Qurbani instead of the Aqeeqah. He may do the Aqeeqah for the child at a later stage when he can afford it.
And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians