Udhiyah Obligatory for a Capable Muslim Wife

Question

Is a wife obligated to perform Udhiyah separately if her husband offers one?

Bottom Line

A wife is included in her husband’s Udhiyah if he intends it for the household. She is not obligated to offer her own but may do so voluntarily if she has wealth.

Quick Answer

Udhiyah is Sunnah mu’akkadah for both men and women. If the husband offers Udhiyah for the household, his wife is covered. If she has her own wealth and wishes to sacrifice separately, she may, but it is not required.

Key Takeaways

• One Udhiyah suffices for the entire household, including the wife, if intended.
• A wife is not obligated to sacrifice separately but may do so voluntarily if she has wealth.
• If her husband does not sacrifice and she has the means, it is Sunnah for her to offer Udhiyah herself.

Detailed Answer

The obligation of Udhiyah during Eid al-Adha is tied to financial capability and applies equally to men and women. The Sunnah practice is that the head of the household offers a single sacrifice on behalf of the family.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“One sheep is sufficient as Udhiyah for a man and his family.”Sunan Ibn Majah 3123; Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 1505

Thus, when a husband offers Udhiyah with the intention of covering his household, his wife and children are included.

If the wife has independent wealth beyond her essential needs and debts, she may choose to offer her own Udhiyah. This is recommended but not obligatory if her husband’s sacrifice already covers the household.

If she lives separately, or her husband refuses to perform the sacrifice, and she has the means, then it is Sunnah for her to perform it herself.

What This Means for You

A wife does not need to offer a separate Udhiyah if her husband’s sacrifice includes the household. She may still offer her own if she has the means and wishes to do so.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Hadith

1. Sunan Ibn Majah 3123: One sheep is sufficient for a man and his family.
2. Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 1505: Udhiyah covering household members.

Secondary Sources

3. Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī: Sufficiency of one Udhiyah for a household.
4. Ibn Bāz, Majmū‘ Fatāwa 18/37: Wife may sacrifice independently if she has wealth.
5. Al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah, Fatāwa 11/419: Women offering sacrifice from their own wealth if capable.