What is the ruling on the aforementioned vow, which states: "I vow that if all my children complete their studies, I will sacrifice a sheep for each one of them at Sheikh Mahmoud's (place)"? What is its expiation if there are seven children, and is it permissible for some of the children to pay the price of their sheep? What is the ruling on one who is unable (to do so), and is it obligatory to slaughter in the mentioned place or in any place? Is it permissible to substitute the sheep with a cow?
Slaughtering for the deceased is major shirk. As for slaughtering for Allah Almighty at graves, it is forbidden, and whoever vows to do so is not permitted to fulfill it and must offer an expiation for breaking an oath. Some scholars hold the view that slaughtering for Allah at a grave is disliked, not forbidden. However, the most preponderant opinion is that fulfilling such a vow is forbidden in both its forms, and it entails an expiation for breaking an oath.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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