What is the ruling on slaughtering a ram as a sacrifice of gratitude to Allah for deliverance from death or as a warding off of affliction, and how is it to be distributed?

The servant must thank Allah Almighty when calamities are repelled and blessings are renewed. The best way to express gratitude is prostration to Allah. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would prostrate whenever something pleasing came to him. Giving charity when a calamity is averted or a blessing is renewed falls under the general category of gratitude, for good deeds protect against evil fates. If a servant vows something (such as an animal sacrifice or a specific action), he must fulfill it, and its expenditure should be for the purpose he specified, or for the poor and needy if he did not specify a purpose. He is not permitted to eat from it unless custom dictates otherwise. However, if the sacrifice is not obligatory (by vow), then there is flexibility in the matter.