Can the State Budget be Considered Baitul Mal in a Modern Context?

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha this year, 1447 H/2026 M, a viral controversy has emerged. President Prabowo Subianto established a policy to distribute 1,098 cattle for sacrifice using a state budget (APBN) allocation worth Rp 100 billion.

This has sparked both pros and cons. Proponents consider the move appropriate and valid, while opponents question its legitimacy from a Sharia (fiqh) perspective. The core of the debate lies in the legality of a president performing sacrifices using the state budget. Others have raised the point that sacrifices should ideally be funded by personal means, given that while the distribution of meat is a social act, the intention behind the sacrifice is deeply personal.

Based on my research into the classical ‘Kitab Kuning’ works of the Salaf al-Salih scholars, there are two opinions regarding the ruling on a leader performing sacrifices. Some scholars argue it is valid and permissible, while others state it is valid and sunnah (recommended).

Firstly, there are several relevant explanations from classical texts stating that it is valid and permissible according to Sharia. This includes the explanation by Imam Ibnu Hajar al-Haitami, a scholar of the Shafi’i school, in the book Tuhfatul Muhtaj, which states: ‘If one member of a household performs a sacrifice, it is sufficient for them without needing individual intentions for each member. Furthermore, a leader is permitted to slaughter sacrificial animals on behalf of the Muslims using the state treasury (Baitul Mal) if funds are sufficient, and this is indisputable; because sharing in the reward does not constitute performing a sacrifice on behalf of another.’