Sending Sacrificial Animals to Gaza: Is it Permissible? Here's the Islamic Ruling

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Palestine, many Muslims have begun to question the Islamic ruling on sending and distributing sacrificial animals to the region. Is a sacrifice distributed outside the region, even abroad, still valid according to Sharia law?

Ustadz Oni Sahroni, a member of the National Sharia Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (DSN MUI), explained that distributing sacrifices to Gaza is permissible and is even considered a priority, as long as it meets Sharia requirements.

According to the explanation, there are several requirements that must be met in order for the sacrifice to remain valid. Among these, the sacrificial animal must be slaughtered at the time specified by Sharia, namely on Eid al-Adha or during the days of Tashriq.

In addition, Muslims who wish to make a sacrifice for Gaza must also choose a trustworthy, legal, supervised, and audited organisation to ensure that the distribution of the sacrifice reaches the intended recipients. “Making a sacrifice in Gaza is a priority,” said Ustadz Oni, quoted from his work entitled “Contemporary Fiqh Related to Sacrifice”, Saturday (16/5/2026).

Not only in the form of fresh meat, the distribution of processed sacrifices is also considered relevant to help the people of Gaza who are in an emergency situation. Sacrificial meat can be processed and preserved in the form of corned beef, rendang, or canned food to make it easier to send and last longer.

Referring to MUI Fatwa No. 37 of 2019 concerning the preservation and distribution of sacrificial meat, Ustadz Oni explained: “Managed by processing and preserving it, such as canning and processing it in the form of corned beef, rendang/the like. Distributed to areas outside the slaughter location.”