Q: What is the ruling if two tribes or persons have a dispute with each other, then the chief of the tribe commands the defendant to offer `Aqa'ir, such as camels and sheep, then slaughters them at the home of the person who the chief ruled in favor of...etc.
A: It is obvious to us, in light of the purified Shari`ah (Islamic Law), that these `Aqa'ir are impermissible for several reasons. First, this is a tradition of Jahiliyyah (preIslamic time of Ignorance), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: There is no slaughtering (at the grave) in Islam.
Second, this act is intended to glorify the person who has the right, and to draw nearer to him by offering this `Aqirah, which is the same custom of Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) who slaughtered for other than Allah, and those who slaughter for the arrival of some dignitaries. Some scholars commented that this is considered slaughtering for other than Allah, therefore, it is impermissible. It is Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah). Allah (Glorified be He) states: Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ 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). "He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims."
Allah mentions 'sacrifice', i.e. slaughtering, together with Salah (prayer) for the former's great status. This indicates that slaughtering must be for the sake of Allah only, as is the Salah. He (Exalted be He) states, Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) AlKauthar (a river in Paradise). Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). Furthermore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: Allah has cursed the one who slaughters (a sacrifice) to other than Allah.
Third, this act is one of the judgments of Jahiliyyah. Allah (Glorified be He) says: Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allâh for a people who have firm Faith. It resembles the acts of those who worship the dead, trees, and stones, as was previously mentioned.
Therefore, it must be abandoned, for a person can find in Allah's rulings and aspects of reform what suffices for this ruling. Allah (Exalted be He) is the grantor of success.