Slaughtering regularly on the day of `Arafah

Q: What is the Islamic ruling on people who slaughter a sacrificial animal on the Day of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah) on a regular basis, even when they are not performing Hajj? They call this sacrifice "I‘rafah" and perform the slaughter with the intention of doing it on behalf of one of their deceased relatives, such as a parent, a son, a daughter, or a sibling.

A: The habit of slaughtering a sacrifice on the Day of ‘Arafah as a Qurbah (a good deed by which Allah's Pleasure is sought) is not permissible, because it constitutes a Bid‘ah (innovation in religion), whether the people intend to dedicate the Thawab (reward from Allah) for it to their deceased relatives or any other people. There is no Shar‘y (Islamic legal) evidence for such a practice, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.