As Eid-ul-Adha approaches, many Muslims seek clarification on the religious implications of performing Qurbani while having outstanding financial obligations. One of the most frequently asked questions concerns the payment of Mehr (dower) to one’s wife. Does an unpaid Mehr prohibit a husband from performing the sacrifice, or does it render the Qurbani invalid? Islamic law and jurisprudence offer a clear framework for navigating these concerns.
Mehr is the wife’s right; Qurbani is an act of financial worship.
According to Islamic jurists, although unpaid Mehr is considered a debt of the husband, it does not serve as a legal barrier to performing Qurbani. Renowned Fiqh texts, including Bada`i al-Sana`i and Radd al-Muhtar, categorize the unpaid Mehr as a "Dain-e-Zaeef" (weak debt) because it does not arise from commercial exchange or asset trading. Therefore, it does not directly obstruct the ownership of current liquid assets required for Qurbani.
The obligation to perform Qurbani depends on an individual`s financial capacity, known as Nisaab. If a husband possesses wealth equal to the Nisaab threshold—excluding basic living expenses—during the days of Eid, Qurbani becomes Wajib (obligatory). If the Mehr payment is demanded immediately and its settlement reduces the husband`s assets below the Nisaab threshold, he is not obligated to perform Qurbani.
Scholars emphasize that Qurbani remains valid even if Mehr remains unpaid. However, keeping a wife`s due right suspended for years, despite having the means to pay, is highly discouraged in Islam. Muslims should approach the act of Qurbani with a spirit of sincerity and fairness, ensuring that they settle personal debts alongside fulfilling religious obligations.
