Offering Nadhr and Niyaz at the Shrines of Saints

Question

The nadhr and niyaz (a votive food offering made in the name of a saint) that are offered at the shrines of the saints, and likewise the chickens and the like that are slaughtered in the name of those saints in order to please them — is eating them permissible or not?

Answer

Those among the common people who make vows in the name of the saints and offer them at the shrines are grave sinners; such a vow is haram, and eating it is utterly impermissible. And chickens and whatever other animals are slaughtered in the name of the saints are pure carrion.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.