An intention to sacrifice does not make it wajib; sacrificing a pregnant cow

Question

Question: A man had intended to sacrifice a cow; as it happened, the cow became pregnant. Should this pregnant cow now be sacrificed or not? Or should it be sacrificed after the calf is born? Or next year? Or should it be given away as sadaqa?

Answer

If there was merely an intention and he had not made a vow (nadhr), then the sacrifice of this particular cow has not become binding upon him. He has a choice: he may sacrifice it or not; he may do so now or later; or, after the sacrifice, give it away as sadaqa; or do whatever he wishes.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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