Can I do qurbani for someone who died?

The evidence

When the Prophet ﷺ slaughtered his ram on Eid al-Adha, he said: "In the name of Allah, Allah, is Most Great. This is from me and from those who did not sacrifice from my community" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2810). Scholars note that his community included people who had already died. In another narration, he sacrificed one ram for his community and another for himself and his family (Sunan Ibn Majah 3122).

Scholars also compare it to charity for the dead. A man asked whether his late mother would get the reward if he gave charity for her, and "The Prophet (ﷺ) replied in the affirmative" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1388). See Can I give charity on behalf of someone who died?

What the schools say

• Hanafi and Hanbali: allowed, and the reward reaches the deceased. Hanafis say the meat is shared as usual.
• Maliki: some consider it disliked, others allow it. Many Malikis prefer including the deceased in your own sacrifice.
• Shafi'i: valid if the person requested it in their will. Without a will, the classic view is that it doesn't count as their qurbani, though some later Shafi'i scholars allow it.

Three practical ways

• A separate qurbani in their name: the clearest option if you follow the majority and can afford it. Write their name on the order.
• Include them in your own: sacrifice for yourself and say in your intention, "and for my late father." This works for every school.
• If it was in their will: it must be done from their estate (within the one-third allowed for bequests), and all the meat should go to charity, according to many scholars.

For how shares and household sacrifices work, see Can I do one qurbani for my whole family?

What if they weren't Muslim?

This is a painful question for many converts. Scholars generally say qurbani and acts of worship offered for the deceased apply to those who died as Muslims. You can still honor a non-Muslim parent in many ways: keep their good memory alive, be kind to their friends and relatives, and do good in the world that reflects their values. Leave their affairs to Allah, the Most Just and Most Merciful.

For Muslim loved ones, other deeds keep benefiting them too: "When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious child, who prays for him" (Sahih Muslim 1631). See What is sadaqah jariyah?