Sacrificing a pregnant animal

Question

If an animal was bought with the intention of sacrifice, and at the time of purchase it was not ascertained that it was pregnant, and some days later clear signs and indications of pregnancy began to appear, is its sacrifice permissible or not?

Answer

Sacrificing a pregnant animal is permissible, but if the time of giving birth is very near, it is makruh: [ar]شاة أو بقرة أشرفت على الولادة قالوا: يكره ذبحها؛ لأن فيه تضييع الولد، هذا قول أبي حنيفة؛ لأن عنده جنين لا يتذكى بذكاة الأم[/ar] “A ewe or a cow whose delivery is imminent: they said that slaughtering it is makruh, because it involves the loss of the young.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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