Question:
If someone wants to offer a Hadi (sacrificial animal) – a cow or camel – can seven people pool their money and give it? Or must it be given by one person?
Answer:
Hadi is a sacrifice offered in the Haram (sacred precincts of Makkah) specifically for Hajj. It can be a goat, cow, or camel. If you know someone going for Umrah, you can give them the money for a Hadi and ask them to offer it on your behalf. This was done during the Prophetﷺ’s time.
We have a separate article on Hadi.
The question now is: If seven people pool their money to buy a cow or camel and give it to one person to offer as Hadi on their behalf, is that permissible? A cow or camel can be shared by seven people for Hadi.
The Prophetﷺ and his companions did this when they were prevented at Hudaybiyyah. They shared a camel among seven people. This is in Sahih Muslim. So, it is permissible. You can even give a full cow or camel by yourself.
There is no compulsion to have seven. If you have the means, you can give it yourself. Or you can join with six others and give it collectively. So
- A cow or camel can be shared by up to 7 people.
- One person can also offer it alone.
Both options are permissible.