Slaughtering animals for other than Allah

Q 3: A barren woman has made a vow that she will slaughter an ox for the sake of Safiy Al-Din ibn Ahmad if she has a son and that she will give half of her Mahr (mandatory gift to a bride from her groom) for the sake of Safiy Al-Din ibn Ahmad if she has a daughter. Is such a vow permissible?

A: Making vows for the sake of other than Allah (Exalted be He) is a form of major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). This is because making a vow is a sort of `Ibadah (worship) that is not permissible to be offered to other than Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Similarly, slaughtering animals for the sake of other than Allah (Exalted be He) (Part No. 23; Page No. 241) is a form of major Shirk for Allah (Glorified be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah curses anyone who offers slaughtered animals for other than Allah…" (Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.