Qurbani (Udhiyah) is an act of worship performed during Eid ul-Adha, commemorating the supreme sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It is a profound expression of gratitude, obedience, and submission to Allah (SWT).
Understanding
What is Qurbani?
Qurbani, also known as Udhiyah, refers to the slaughter of a livestock animal, such as a goat, sheep, cow, buffalo, or camel, performed during the three days of Eid ul-Adha (10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah) with the explicit intention of drawing near to Allah (SWT).
It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah’s command. Before the sacrifice could be completed, Allah replaced Ismail (AS) with a ram, establishing the tradition of Qurbani for all Muslims to come.
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” – Surah Al-Kawthar (108:2)
Islamic Jurisprudence
Ruling of Qurbani
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Hanafi School
Qurbani is Wajib (obligatory) upon every adult Muslim who is sane, free, and possesses wealth equal to or above the Nisab threshold (the equivalent of 87.48g of gold or 612.36g of silver), and is not a traveller.
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Shafi’i, Maliki & Hanbali
According to the majority of scholars, Qurbani is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (confirmed Sunnah), strongly recommended to the point of being considered a sin to abandon without valid reason for those who can afford it.
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Condition of Wealth
The Nisab for Qurbani is calculated based on the value of silver (612.36g), which is the lower threshold, ensuring more Muslims participate. The wealth must be surplus to one’s basic needs and outstanding debts.
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One per Household
It is sufficient for the head of household to perform one Qurbani on behalf of the entire household per the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), who sacrificed one ram for himself and his family. However, every eligible adult may give their own.
Who Must Perform It
Eligibility Conditions
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Qurbani is obligatory upon a person who meets ALL of these criteria:
Muslim – must be a practicing Muslim. Non-Muslims are not required to perform Qurbani.
Adult (Baligh) – must have reached the age of puberty. It is not obligatory upon minors.
Sane (Aqil) – must be of sound mind. It is not obligatory upon those who are mentally incapacitated.
Resident (Muqim) – must not be a traveller (Musafir). A traveller covering a distance of 77 km or more is exempt.
Financially Able – must possess wealth above the Nisab threshold, above basic necessities and debts.
Free Person – Qurbani is not obligatory upon slaves, though it is recommended if they wish to perform it.
Permitted Livestock
Animals for Qurbani
Only specific animals are permissible (Halal) for Qurbani. The animal must be healthy, free of major defects, and meet minimum age requirements.
🐑Sheep / Lamb
Minimum age: 1 year (or at least 6 months if large enough to resemble a 1-year-old)
The days of Qurbani (Ayyam al-Nahr) are the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
10th Dhul Hijjah – Yawm al-Nahr (Best Day)
Eid ul-Adha – Preferred Day
The Qurbani begins after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. It is most virtuous to perform on this day. The sacrifice cannot be made before the Eid prayer. In areas with multiple prayer times, the earliest valid prayer time counts.
11th Dhul Hijjah
Second Day – Valid
Qurbani is fully valid on this day. Many scholars consider the second day acceptable and sometimes even preferable due to reduced congestion at abattoirs.
12th Dhul Hijjah – Last Day
Third Day – Final Deadline
Qurbani must be completed before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. After sunset, the time for Qurbani expires and a missed obligatory Qurbani must be compensated by giving its value in Sadaqah.
Night-time slaughter: While permissible according to some scholars, it is Makruh (disliked) to slaughter at night as errors are more likely. Day-time sacrifice is strongly preferred.
Meat Distribution
How to Distribute Qurbani Meat
The meat of the sacrificed animal should ideally be divided into three equal portions:
1/3
Personal & Family
Keep for yourself and your immediate family. This is your right and a blessing from Allah (SWT).
1/3
Relatives & Friends
Share with relatives, neighbours, and friends as a means of strengthening social bonds and spreading joy.
1/3
Poor & Needy
Distribute to the poor and those in need. This portion carries great spiritual reward and is the soul of Qurbani.
Note: The division into three is recommended (Mustahabb), not strictly obligatory. You may give more to the poor and needy, which is highly virtuous. However, it is not permissible to sell any part of the Qurbani animal, including the skin, bones, or by-products, for personal gain.
Key Conditions
Important Rules & Sunnahs
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Niyyah (Intention)
The intention for Qurbani must be made sincerely for the sake of Allah (SWT) alone. Qurbani performed for show (Riya) or social pressure is not accepted. The intention should be firm in the heart before the slaughter begins.
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Method of Slaughter
The animal must be slaughtered by a sane, adult Muslim using a sharp knife in one swift motion, severing the windpipe, oesophagus, and the two jugular veins. Bismillah and Allahu Akbar must be recited at the time of slaughter.
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Refraining from Cutting Nails & Hair
According to a Hadith in Sahih Muslim, the person performing Qurbani should not cut their hair or nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after the sacrifice. This applies specifically to the one who is giving the Qurbani, not their family members.
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Treatment of the Animal
Islam commands mercy in all circumstances. The animal must be treated with kindness before slaughter, given water, not dragged roughly, not slaughtered in view of other animals, and the knife must be sharpened beforehand so as to minimize suffering.
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Qurbani on Behalf of Deceased
It is permissible and rewarding to perform Qurbani on behalf of deceased relatives, or on behalf of the Prophet (SAW). This is a recommended act, particularly for those who wish to convey reward to their loved ones who have passed away.
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Qurbani in Another Country
It is permissible to have your Qurbani performed in another country, particularly in poorer nations where the meat will reach those in greater need. The timing must match the valid days of Eid in the country where the sacrifice is performed.
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Payment of the Butcher
The butcher (slaughterman) must not be paid from the Qurbani animal’s meat, fat, skin, or any part. Their wages must be paid separately from one’s personal wealth. Gifting them some meat out of goodwill (not as payment) is permissible.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the school of thought. According to the Hanafi madhab, Qurbani is Wajib (obligatory) for every adult Muslim who possesses wealth above the Nisab threshold and is not a traveller. According to the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, it is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah, a strongly confirmed Sunnah that it is sinful to abandon without reason. Regardless of madhab, all scholars agree it should not be neglected by those who can afford it.
No. Qurbani is not obligatory upon children (those who have not yet reached puberty). However, if a child’s guardian wishes to sacrifice on their behalf from the child’s own wealth, this is permissible. Many scholars say the father’s single Qurbani covers the household including children, based on the Prophet (SAW)’s practice of sacrificing one ram for himself and his family.
The Nisab for Qurbani is calculated using silver (612.36g) as the benchmark, which is more inclusive. If the current market value of 612.36g of silver is, say, PKR 90,000, then anyone who possesses surplus wealth (above basic needs and debts) equal to or exceeding this amount on any of the three days of Eid is obligated to give Qurbani. The wealth does not need to be in cash; it includes savings, gold, silver, business inventory, and non-essential assets.
Yes. A cow, buffalo, or camel can be shared by up to 7 people, with each person counting as one share. Each participant must have a sincere intention (Niyyah) for Qurbani. It is important that all 7 people intend their share for an act of worship. If even one person’s intention is only to obtain meat for consumption, not as an act of worship, the Qurbani of the other partners may be invalidated according to some scholars. A sheep or goat counts as one full Qurbani and cannot be shared.
If a person was obligated to give Qurbani but missed all three days (10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah) without valid reason, according to the Hanafi school, they must give Sadaqah equivalent to the value of the Qurbani animal. Simply slaughtering an animal after the 12th has passed does not fulfil the obligation; it would only be voluntary charity, not the Wajib Qurbani. The missed obligation must be compensated through charity.
Yes, this is permissible and highly rewarding. The Prophet (SAW) himself used to sacrifice a ram on behalf of those in his Ummah who could not afford to do so. Performing Qurbani on behalf of deceased relatives is a means of sending reward (Isal al-Thawab) to them. You may perform an additional sacrifice specifically intending it for a deceased parent, spouse, or other relative, or include them in your intention alongside your own Qurbani.
The skin, bones, fat, and all parts of the Qurbani animal are considered part of the sacrifice. You cannot sell any part of the Qurbani animal and keep the proceeds for yourself. However, you may: (1) keep the skin for personal use (e.g., as a prayer mat), (2) give it as a gift to someone, or (3) donate it to a charitable organisation that will use or sell it for charitable purposes. The proceeds from selling the skin must go entirely to charity.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah and one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, let him refrain from cutting his hair and nails.” (Sahih Muslim). This restriction begins from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah and ends after the Qurbani is performed. It applies specifically to the person giving the Qurbani, not their family members (unless those family members are also giving their own Qurbani). The wisdom is that the sacrificer resembles the pilgrim in Makkah in some aspects of worship.
Yes, it is valid and widely practised. You appoint the organisation as your agent (Wakeel), and they perform the sacrifice on your behalf. The Qurbani is valid as long as: (1) a clear intention is made on your behalf before the sacrifice, (2) the animal meets all eligibility conditions, and (3) the slaughter occurs within the valid three days of Eid in that country. Donating Qurbani to poorer regions, such as parts of Africa, South Asia, or the Middle East, is particularly encouraged as the meat reaches those in greater need.
A pregnant animal is permissible for Qurbani as long as it is otherwise healthy and meets the age requirement. The pregnancy itself does not disqualify the animal. If the foetus is found alive after slaughter, it should also be slaughtered immediately (as its mother’s slaughter does not apply to it). If the foetus is found dead, it may be eaten as it is considered slaughtered by the mother’s slaughter.
