Qurbani (Sacrifice), the sacred act of animal sacrifice during Eid-ul-Adha, represents one of Islam’s most significant rituals, connecting Muslims worldwide to the profound story of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) unwavering devotion to Allah. This comprehensive guide explores every aspect of performing Qurbani correctly, from selecting the appropriate animal to executing the ritual according to authentic Islamic teachings. Understanding the proper method of Qurbani ensures that this act of worship brings maximum spiritual benefit and divine acceptance, while honoring the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and fulfilling our religious obligations with excellence and precision.
The Spiritual Foundation of Qurbani in Islam
Qurbani holds deep spiritual significance in Islamic tradition, rooted in the exemplary submission of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to Allah’s command. The practice commemorates the moment when Allah tested Ibrahim’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (AS), only to replace the sacrifice with a ram at the crucial moment. This divine intervention established the tradition that Muslims follow today, transforming a test of faith into an annual celebration of devotion and gratitude.
The Holy Quran emphasizes the spiritual essence of this act rather than its material aspects. Allah reveals the true purpose of sacrifice in these words:
لَن یَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاۤؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن یَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنكُمۡۚ كَذَ ٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمۡ لِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ
It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad SAW) to the Muhsinun (doers of good).
[22:37]
This verse clarifies that Allah does not need our offerings but values the sincerity and righteousness behind our actions.
Islamic scholars explain that Qurbani serves multiple purposes beyond commemoration. It demonstrates our willingness to sacrifice what we value for Allah’s sake, promotes social solidarity through meat distribution to the needy, and strengthens community bonds during Eid celebrations. The act also teaches important lessons about submission, generosity, and remembrance of Allah’s countless blessings upon humanity.
Understanding Qurbani Obligations and Eligibility
According to Islamic jurisprudence, Qurbani becomes obligatory for Muslims who meet specific financial criteria. The search results indicate that “In Islam, Qurbani is obligatory for all Muslims who pay Zakat”. This means that any Muslim who possesses wealth above the nisab threshold (the minimum amount that makes Zakat obligatory) must perform Qurbani or arrange for its completion.
The timing of Qurbani follows strict Islamic guidelines established through prophetic traditions. Authentic Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik reveals Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) clear instruction: “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, he just slaughtered it for himself, and whoever slaughtered it after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims” (Sahih Bukhari, 68/454). This teaching emphasizes that Qurbani must be performed after the Eid prayer to be religiously valid.
The obligation extends beyond individual fulfillment to family responsibilities. Islamic teachings suggest that the head of household should arrange Qurbani for family members, ensuring that the spiritual benefits reach the entire household. However, each eligible individual can also choose to perform their own Qurbani for additional spiritual merit and community contribution.
Selecting the Right Animal: Types, Ages, and Share Requirements
Proper animal selection forms the foundation of a valid Qurbani, with Islamic law providing specific guidelines about acceptable species, minimum ages, and sharing arrangements.
Acceptable Animal Types and Age Requirements
Islamic tradition permits three main categories of animals for Qurbani: sheep, goats, cattle (cows and buffalo), and camels. Each category has distinct age requirements that must be met for the sacrifice to be religiously valid.
For sheep and goats, the minimum age requirement is one year (Identified by 2 or more permanent teeth), and each animal represents one Qurbani share. This means that one sheep or goat fulfills the Qurbani obligation for one person. The relatively smaller size and individual share allocation make these animals popular choices for families performing Qurbani.
Cattle, including cows and buffalo, must be at least two years of age and can accommodate seven Qurbani shares. This sharing arrangement allows multiple families or individuals to participate jointly in purchasing and sacrificing one larger animal, making Qurbani more accessible for communities with varying economic circumstances.
Camels require the highest minimum age of five years and also provide seven Qurbani shares. While less commonly used in many regions, camels remain a valid and traditional choice for Qurbani, particularly in areas where they are readily available.
Practical Considerations for Animal Selection
When selecting animals for Qurbani, several practical factors should guide the decision-making process. The choice between individual animals (sheep/goats) versus shared animals (cattle/camels) depends on family size, budget considerations, and local availability. Individual animals offer complete control over the sacrifice and meat distribution, while shared arrangements require coordination with other participants.
Local regulations and facilities also influence animal selection. In many countries, including the UK, Qurbani is only permitted in registered slaughterhouses, which may limit the types of animals available or require advance arrangements with authorized facilities. Understanding local requirements helps ensure compliance with both religious obligations and governmental regulations.
Checking Animal Health: Identifying Prohibited Defects
Islamic law establishes strict standards for animal health and physical condition to ensure that Qurbani animals meet divine requirements for acceptance. These standards, derived from authentic prophetic teachings, help maintain the sanctity and validity of the sacrifice ritual.
The Four Major Prohibited Defects
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clearly outlined four primary defects that render animals unsuitable for Qurbani. In a comprehensive Hadith, he stated: “There are four defects that are not allowed in sacrificial animals: (1) blindness and obvious blindness, (2) sickness and obvious sickness, (3) limping and obvious limping, (4) very weak or thin (such as having no bone marrow)” (authenticated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban).
These four categories encompass the most serious health and physical conditions that compromise an animal’s fitness for sacrifice. Blindness includes both complete blindness and severe visual impairment that significantly affects the animal’s ability to function normally. Obvious sickness refers to any illness that visibly affects the animal’s health, behavior, or appearance.
Limping covers various forms of lameness or mobility issues that prevent normal movement, while the extremely weak or thin condition describes animals suffering from severe malnutrition or wasting diseases. The reference to “no bone marrow” indicates animals so depleted that their bones lack proper marrow content.
The Sunnah Method of Performing Qurbani Ritual
The actual performance of Qurbani follows specific Sunnah guidelines established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), ensuring that the sacrifice maintains its spiritual significance and religious validity. These guidelines cover everything from the physical positioning to the verbal supplications that accompany the sacred act.
Following the Prophetic Example
Authentic Hadith provides detailed descriptions of how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed his own Qurbani, offering Muslims a perfect model to follow. Anas (RA) narrated: “The Prophet offered as sacrifices two horned rams, black and white in color. He slaughtered them with his own hands and mentioned Allah’s Name over them and said Takbir and put his foot on their sides” (Sahih Bukhari, Edahi:7).
This Hadith reveals several important Sunnah elements of the Qurbani ritual. First, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) personally performed the slaughter with his own hands, demonstrating the importance of direct involvement when possible. Second, he mentioned Allah’s name (said “Bismillah”) before the slaughter, fulfilling the Islamic requirement for invoking divine permission.
The Hadith also mentions that the Prophet said Takbir (“Allahu Akbar”) during the process, acknowledging Allah’s greatness and the sacred nature of the act. Additionally, placing his foot on the animal’s side helped stabilize the animal and ensure a swift, humane slaughter.
Essential Requirements for Valid Slaughter
Islamic law establishes several non-negotiable requirements that must be fulfilled for a Qurbani slaughter to be religiously valid. These requirements protect both the spiritual significance of the act and the welfare of the animal being sacrificed.
The person performing the slaughter must be a Muslim who understands the religious significance of the act. The slaughter must be performed using a sharp knife that can complete the cut efficiently and humanely. The knife should be sharp enough to sever the main arteries cleanly without causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.
Mentioning Allah’s name (“Bismillah”) is absolutely essential before making the cut. This invocation acknowledges that the act is performed with divine permission and for religious purposes rather than mere food production. The direction of slaughter should face toward the Qiblah (direction of Mecca) when practically possible.
Modern circumstances often require adaptations while maintaining religious principles. In many countries, registered slaughterhouses are the only legal venues for animal slaughter, requiring Muslims to arrange for their Qurbani through licensed facilities that can accommodate Islamic requirements.
Proper Timing and Sacred Supplications
The timing of Qurbani follows precise Islamic guidelines that connect the sacrifice to the broader Eid-ul-Adha celebrations and Hajj rituals. Understanding these timing requirements ensures that the act fulfills its religious purpose and maintains its connection to the global Muslim community.
Correct Timing According to Prophetic Guidance
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings establish clear boundaries for when Qurbani can be validly performed. The fundamental rule states that Qurbani must be performed after the Eid prayer to count as a religious sacrifice rather than ordinary slaughter. This timing connects individual acts of sacrifice to the communal celebration of Eid-ul-Adha.
Another authentic Hadith emphasizes this point: “Whoever has slaughtered his sacrifice before the prayer, should repeat it (slaughter another sacrifice)” (Sahih Bukhari, 68). This instruction demonstrates the importance of proper timing and shows that premature slaughter does not fulfill the religious obligation.
The acceptable period for Qurbani extends for three days following Eid-ul-Adha: the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah. This timeframe allows flexibility for families and communities to arrange their sacrifices while maintaining the connection to the Hajj period and the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Recommended Supplications and Remembrance
Islamic tradition includes specific supplications and remembrances that enhance the spiritual value of Qurbani. While the basic requirement is to mention Allah’s name (“Bismillah”) before slaughter, additional supplications can deepen the spiritual experience and connection to Allah.
Many scholars recommend reciting “Bismillahi, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest) at the moment of slaughter, combining the required invocation with the Takbir that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used. Some traditions also include “Allahumma taqabbal minni” (O Allah, accept this from me) as a personal supplication for divine acceptance.
The period surrounding Qurbani provides opportunities for increased remembrance of Allah through Takbir recitation. The Takbir of Tashriq, recited after prayers during the Eid period, connects individual worship to the communal celebration and remembrance of Allah’s greatness and mercy.
Distribution Guidelines and Community Responsibilities
The distribution of Qurbani meat represents a crucial aspect of the sacrifice that extends its benefits beyond the individual performer to the broader community. Islamic guidelines for meat distribution emphasize social responsibility, community care, and the sharing of Allah’s blessings with those in need.
The Three-Part Distribution System
Islamic tradition establishes a clear framework for dividing Qurbani meat that ensures both family benefit and community welfare. According to established practice, “The meat of these sacrificed animals gets divided into three equal portions: one-third is for the owner’s family, one-third is for friends and the remaining is for needy people”.
This distribution system serves multiple purposes within Islamic social framework. The family portion ensures that those who perform Qurbani can enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice and share the blessed meat with their household members. This portion also helps families understand the value and significance of their religious obligation through direct participation in consuming the sacrificed meat.
The portion for friends and neighbors strengthens community bonds and allows the sharing of Eid joy with the broader social circle. This sharing creates opportunities for non-Muslim neighbors to experience Islamic hospitality and understand the community-oriented nature of Islamic celebrations.
The portion designated for the needy fulfills one of Qurbani’s primary social purposes: ensuring that economically disadvantaged community members can also enjoy meat during Eid celebrations. This charitable aspect transforms individual worship into community welfare and demonstrates Islam’s emphasis on social justice and care for the vulnerable.
Modern Distribution Challenges and Solutions
Many Muslims today participate in organized Qurbani programs through reputable Islamic organizations that handle the entire process from animal selection to meat distribution. These programs often focus on distributing meat to needy families in developing countries where the impact is greatest and the need most acute.
For those performing Qurbani locally, coordination with Islamic centers, mosques, and charitable organizations can help identify appropriate recipients for the charitable portions. Some communities organize collective distribution events where multiple families combine their charitable portions for more efficient and impactful distribution.
Conclusion: Embracing the Complete Qurbani Experience
Performing Qurbani correctly requires attention to multiple interconnected elements, from the initial animal selection through the final meat distribution. Each aspect of this sacred ritual carries spiritual significance and contributes to the overall acceptance and benefit of the sacrifice. By following the comprehensive guidelines derived from the Quran and authentic Hadith, Muslims can ensure that their Qurbani fulfills both religious obligations and community responsibilities.
The journey of proper Qurbani begins with understanding its spiritual foundation in Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) story and continues through careful animal selection, health verification, correct timing, and meaningful distribution. Modern circumstances may require adaptations to traditional methods, but the fundamental principles remain unchanged: sincerity of intention, adherence to Sunnah practices, and commitment to community welfare.
As Muslims prepare for this sacred act, they should remember that “what reaches Allah is piety from you” rather than the material aspects of the sacrifice. This divine perspective transforms Qurbani from a mere ritual into a profound expression of faith, gratitude, and social responsibility that strengthens both individual spirituality and community bonds.
The complete Qurbani experience offers opportunities for spiritual growth, family bonding, community service, and cultural preservation. By approaching this obligation with knowledge, sincerity, and attention to detail, Muslims can maximize the benefits of this blessed practice while honoring the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and following the perfect example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
