Slaughtering and eating an animal released as “bhuk”

Question

Question (in Persian): What do the honourable scholars and eminent muftis say about the ruling on an animal released in the manner of “bhuk” (releasing an animal as a vow to spirits), i.e. when someone is afflicted by the influence of jinn (?) or by a severe illness, then most often the animal intended for this, painted in various colours, is released in the name of evil spirits or simply so, and they think that the harmful influence came from them and that (thereby) healing will be granted?

Answer

Such an animal does not leave the ownership of its owner, and releasing it in the name of evil spirits is not permissible; likewise, releasing it without transferring ownership (tamlik) is not right. Until the owner retracts this release and gives it to someone for the sake of Allah, or sells it to him, or in some other way, such as a gift (hiba)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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