Qurbani Rules | Qurbani 2026 Guideline

Qurbani in Light of the Qur’an and Hadith

The ahadees provide further practical guidance and elaborate on the virtues and methodologies of Qurbani.

"It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him"
Quran 22:37

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Divide the meat of your sacrifice into three parts: one for your family, one for your relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.”

Qurbani Rules: The Sacred Act of Sacrifice

Qurbani also called Udhiyah is one of the most beloved acts of worship in Islam, performed on the days of Eid al Adha (10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah). The rulings come from the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Below, our in-house scholar team has answered the questions Pakistani Muslims search most often about Qurbani drawing on the Hanafi madhab followed by the majority in Pakistan, while noting differing positions where relevant

Significance: Qurbani means “to draw near” to Allah and represents devotion, sacrifice, and obedience. It is obligatory upon every eligible Muslim who can afford it. This ritual honor the ultimate act of faith shown by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and serves as a reminder to give back to those in need

Spiritual Goals: Qurbani is not merely the act of sacrificing an animal, It’s a profound expression of:

• Selflessness and devotion to Allah
• Gratitude for divine blessings
• Responsibility to share with the less fortunate

Conditions and Guidelines for a Valid Qurbani

Eligibility of Animals

To ensure that the sacrifice is valid, scholars have detailed certain conditions.

• Permissible species: Camels, cows, bulls, goats, and sheep (must meet age and health requirements)
• Ownership: The animal must belong to the person offering the sacrifice
• Intention: Qurbani must be done with the correct niyyah (intention)

Method of Slaughtering

• Invocation: Say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” at the time of sacrifice
• Sharp instrument: Use a proper knife to ensure a quick and humane slaughter
• Humane treatment: Treat animals gently and avoid unnecessary distress

Distribution and Social Significance

Qurbani meat should be divided into three equal parts:

• One-third for personal consumption
• One-third for friends and relatives
• One-third for the poor and needy

his division helps spread joy, strengthen social ties, and ensure food reaches those in need.

The Multi-Dimensional Benefits of Qurbani

Qurbani is a holistic act that:

• Deepens spiritual connection with Allah
• Strengthens global Muslim unity
• Provides vital nutrition to underprivileged communities
• Promotes empathy, generosity, and social justice

By observing Qurbani with sincerity and understanding, Muslims renew their commitment to faith, compassion, and community upliftment during the sacred days of Dhul Hijjah.

Learn Qurbani

Qurbani Rules 2026 Knowledgebase

What Are the Guidelines for Qurbani?

Qurbani is Wajib (obligatory) in the Hanafi school of thought, which is followed by the majority of Muslims in Pakistan. It is not Farz, and it is not simply Sunnah in the Hanafi position it sits between the two.

In the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools, Qurbani is Sunnah Muakkadah an emphasised Sunnah, strongly recommended but not strictly obligatory. The Prophet ﷺ himself never abandoned Qurbani in his lifetime.

For Pakistani households, the safest position is the one taught by the majority of local scholars: every adult, sane, resident Muslim who meets the Nisab threshold on the days of Eid al-Adha must offer Qurbani. Neglecting it without a valid excuse is sinful in the Hanafi madhab.

→ Book your Qurbani 2026 → /donations/islamic-giving/qurbani

→ Calculate Nisab → /zakat/nisab-calculator

Who pays for Qurbani?

Each adult Muslim who possesses Nisab pays for their own Qurbani. Qurbani is a personal financial obligation, it does not transfer to the head of the household.

This means:

An adult son or daughter living in the family home, if they personally meet Nisab through salary, savings or gold, must pay for their own Qurbani.
A husband is not obligated to pay for his wife's Qurbani and vice versa.
Parents are not required to pay Qurbani for their minor children (Qurbani is not Wajib on the non-baligh).
A father or husband may voluntarily pay on behalf of family members this is rewarded as Nafl but doesn't fulfil their Wajib if they are independently eligible.

→ Book Qurbani for the whole family → /donations/islamic-giving/qurban

The common Pakistani practice of "one Qurbani per household" is cultural not Shariah. Where multiple adults in the home meet Nisab, each must give their own.

How many shares are in a cow for Qurbani?

A cow has 7 Qurbani shares (hissay), and a camel also has 7 shares. Each share counts as one full Qurbani for one person. Goats and sheep are a single Qurbani each they cannot be divided into shares.

Conditions for sharing a cow or camel:

All 7 participants must intend Qurbani even if one participant intends only meat-distribution (without niyyah of Qurbani), the Qurbani of the others becomes invalid.
Each share-holder must own their share before slaughter.
The meat is divided equally usually by weight, not by cut

→ Book a cow share — PKR 25,000 → /donations/islamic-giving/qurba

At Alkhidmat, one cow share is PKR 25,000 in Pakistan. We manage the partnership, slaughter, weighing and distribution on your behalf so a single-share donor receives the same Qurbani fulfilment as someone booking a full cow.

Can I give Qurbani for my dead parents?

Yes, Qurbani on behalf of a deceased parent is permitted and highly rewarded in the Hanafi school. It is offered as Nafl (voluntary) Qurbani and is considered Isaal-e-sawab (transferring the reward to the deceased).

Important points:

A Qurbani for a deceased person does not replace your own Wajib Qurbani give yours first, then offer one in your parent's name.
If the deceased had specified Qurbani in their will (wasiyyah), then 100% of the meat must be given as Sadaqah none may be kept by the family.
If they did not specify it in their will, you may distribute the meat as you choose (a third to the family, a third to relatives, a third to the poor).
The intention (niyyah) must be specified before slaughter: "On behalf of my late father / mother…"

→ Book Qurbani in someone's name → /donations/islamic-giving/qurbani

Alkhidmat accepts Qurbani in the name of deceased family members and provides a per-donor receipt with their name on it.

Qurbani rules for husband and wife

A husband and wife are each individually responsible for their own Qurbani, provided each separately meets the Nisab threshold. Marriage does not combine their wealth or their religious obligations.

Specifically:

If both spouses meet Nisab → each must offer one Qurbani.
If only the husband meets Nisab → only he is obligated.
If only the wife meets Nisab (for example, through gold, mehr, or inherited wealth) → she is obligated, even if her husband is not.
A wife's gold jewellery counts towards her own Nisab not her husband's.
A husband may voluntarily pay for his wife's Qurbani as a gift; she may do the same for him. This is rewarded but doesn't change whose obligation it was originally.

→ Calculate your Nisab → /zakat/nisab-calculator

→ Book Qurbani for the household → /donations/islamic-giving/qurbani

Many Pakistani wives skip Qurbani in the belief that their husband's Qurbani covers them. This is not correct in the Hanafi school, if the wife independently meets Nisab, her Qurbani is her own duty.

What If I Missed Performing My Qurbani?

If you missed giving Qurbani in previous years when it was required for you, you can still make up for it. Just count how many years were missed and donate that number of Qurbani shares now.

For example, if you missed Qurbani for the past 3 years, and it was obligatory for you, you can give 4 Qurbani shares this year 1 for this year and 3 to cover the missed ones.

When should you stop cutting nails and hair before Qurbani?

If you intend to offer Qurbani, the Sunnah is to stop cutting your hair, nails and removing body hair from the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah (1st Dhul Hijjah) until your Qurbani has been performed on the days of Eid.

This is based on the hadith of Umm Salama (RA): "When the ten days of Dhul Hijjah begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not cut his hair or trim his nails." (Sahih Muslim, 1977)

Important points:

The restriction applies only to the person offering Qurbani not to spouses, children, or anyone else on whose behalf you may also be givin
The Hanafi school considers this Mustahabb (recommended). The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools consider cutting during this period Makruh (strongly disliked)
If you accidentally cut nails or hair during this period, there is no expiation (kaffarah) simply resume the practice.
The restriction ends the moment your Qurbani animal is slaughtered

→ When are the days of Qurbani in 2026? → /blog/days-of-qurbani-202

Is Qurbani per person or per family?

Qurbani is per person, not per family. Every adult Muslim who possesses Nisab on the days of Eid al-Adha is individually obligated to offer one Qurbani, whether that is a goat, a sheep, one share of a cow, or one share of a camel.

If a household has four adults all above Nisab, four separate Qurbanis are required. They may be offered as four goats, four cow shares, one full cow split between them (covering 4 of the 7 shares), or any combination.

This is one of the most misunderstood rulings in Pakistan. Cultural practice often defaults to "the family's Qurbani" but the obligation is individual, not collective.

→ How many shares in a cow? → jump to next question

How much Qurbani should I give? Qurbani wajib hone ki shara'it

Qurbani becomes Wajib when all five conditions are met on the days of Eid al-Adha:

If you meet all five, one Qurbani per person is Wajib. Anything beyond that a second Qurbani in your own name, or one on behalf of a deceased parent — is Nafl (voluntary), but carries great reward.

Muslim Qurbani is an Islamic act of worship.
Adult (baligh) having reached Islamic puberty.
Sane (aaqil) of sound mind.
Resident not a shar'i musafir (a journey of ~48 miles / 78 km or more).
Owns wealth equal to or above Nisab the same threshold as Zakat, calculated on cash, gold, silver, business stock and savings (excluding essential household items).

→ Current Nisab value → /zakat/nisab-calculator

→ Book Qurbani 2026 → /donations/islamic-giving/qurbani

Camel Qurbani: is camel allowed?

Yes, camels are valid Qurbani animals. A camel must be at least 5 hijri years old at the time of slaughter and free from major defects (blindness, severe lameness, severe emaciation, or missing more than one-third of an ear or tail).

Like cows, one camel equals 7 Qurbani shares seven adults can share one camel.

Animal age requirements:

Goat: minimum 1 hijri year.
Sheep: minimum 1 hijri year (a healthy, large 6-month-old sheep that looks one year old is also permitted in the Hanafi madhab).
Cow / buffalo: minimum 2 hijri years.
Camel: minimum 5 hijri years.

→ View 2026 Qurbani rates → /donations/islamic-giving/qurbani

At Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, our 2026 Qurbani programme covers goats, sheep and cows these are the most efficient to procure, ration and distribute through our own cattle farm and field network. We do not currently offer a camel Qurbani option.

How Many Qurbanis Are Required per Family?

In the Hanafi school of thought, every individual in a household who meets the eligibility criteria must offer at least one Qurbani.

One small animal (like a sheep or goat) fulfills the obligation for one person.
A larger animal (such as a cow, buffalo, or camel) can be shared by up to seven people, with each receiving an equal share.

Each eligible member of the family must arrange their own Qurbani, rather than a single sacrifice on behalf of the whole household.

Restrictions When Offering a Sacrifice

If you plan to offer a Qurbani, it is recommended by most scholars that from the start of Dhul Hijjah (1st day) until your sacrifice is done, you avoid cutting your hair, nails, or skin. This is a way to honor the Sunnah and show respect for this sacred act of worship.