Qurbani Rules: The Sacred Act of Sacrifice

Qurbani Rules: The Sacred Act of Sacrifice

Qurbani is an act of worship performed by Muslims during the days of Eid al‑Adha (10–13 Dhul‑Hijjah). It symbolizes obedience to Allah’s command and commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son in submission to Allah’s will. This content provides a detailed look at the scriptural foundation, Prophetic traditions, and the practical and fiqh (jurisprudence) guidelines of Qurbani.

Significance: Qurbani literally means “to draw near (to Allah)” and refers to the act of sacrificing an animal, an obligation for those who can afford it. This ritual commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion and willingness to sacrifice his beloved son when commanded by Allah.

Spiritual Goals: The sacrifice is not merely an act of giving up something material it is an expression of selflessness, gratitude, and submission to Allah. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing with those in need.

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.”

Conditions and Guidelines for a Valid Qurbani

Eligibility of Animals

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

Species Allowed:

Qurbani is generally permissible with animals like camels, cattle (cows, bulls), sheep, goats, and in some cases, poultry—provided they meet the required conditions.
Ownership and Possession:

The sacrificer must be the rightful owner of the animal (or have purchased it with the intention of Qurbani) at the time of the sacrifice.

Method of Slaughtering

Proper Invocation:

The name of Allah must be pronounced (usually "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar") at the time of the sacrifice.
Use of a Sharp Instrument:

A sharp knife should be used to ensure a swift, humane, and complete incision that severs the major blood vessels, allowing for maximum blood drainage.
Humane Treatment:

The procedure must be conducted with the utmost care to minimize the suffering of the animal.

5. Distribution and Social Significance

According to tradition, the meat obtained from Qurbani should be divided into three equal parts:

Owner's Share:

For personal consumption by the family.
Relatives and Friends:

To share the joy of the ritual and strengthen communal bonds.
The Needy and Poor:

To ensure that those who are less fortunate benefit from the sacrifice.

The Multi-Dimensional Benefits of Qurbani

Qurbani is not only a ritual act but also a powerful means to strengthen one’s relationship with Allah and to foster a caring, unified community. By adhering to the Quranic guidelines and Prophetic traditions, Muslims ensure that the sacrifice is both spiritually fulfilling and socially beneficial. Embracing Qurbani with the proper understanding and dedication allows believers to renew their commitment to selflessness, sacrifice, and gratitude.

Learn Qurbani

Qurbani Rules 2025 Knowledgebase

What Are the Guidelines for Qurbani?

Who Should Offer Qurbani? When is the Sacrifice Performed? What Should Be Considered?

Rest assured, we’ve gathered all the key details you need to know about this important and sacred act of sacrifice.

At What Age is Qurbani Mandatory?

There is a difference of opinion among the various schools of thought regarding whether Qurbani is compulsory. However, regardless of this, it is widely regarded as a highly rewarding and recommended act for any individual who has reached maturity (i.e., the age of puberty) and possesses wealth above the nisab threshold, especially for the benefit of those less fortunate.

When Should the Qurbani Be Carried Out?

There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding whether Qurbani can be performed over 3 or 4 days. To respect this diversity of views, Alkhidmat Foundation aims to carry out the Qurbani within 3 days. We extend to the fourth day only in areas where this practice is accepted by the local Muslim community, and when operational circumstances require it.

We pre-purchase the animals based on anticipated quotas, ensuring that, regardless of when you give your Qurbani, it will be carried out on time.

Which Animals Are Permitted for Qurbani?

To ensure the validity of the Qurbani, the animals must meet specific criteria in terms of age and health. These requirements include:

Sheep/Goats

Must be at least 1 year old (equivalent to 1 person's Qurbani).

Cows/Buffalo

Must be at least 2 years old (equivalent to 7 people's Qurbani).

Camels

Must be at least 5 years old (sufficient for 7 people's Qurbani).

In addition to age requirements, all animals must be in good health, meeting the following conditions:

They must not be excessively thin or lean.
They must be able to walk on their own to the slaughter site.
They cannot be toothless, or missing more than half of their teeth.
They must not be blind or have only one eye.
They must not have a lame leg that impairs their ability to walk.

How Should Qurbani Meat Be Distributed?

It is recommended to divide the Qurbani meat into three equal portions. After the sacrifice, you should:

Keep one portion for yourself,
Distribute one portion to your family and friends,
Give the remaining portion to the poor and needy.

Many Muslims choose to have their Qurbani performed in the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities worldwide. When you donate your Qurbani to Alkhidmat Foundation, we ensure that all three portions are distributed to those in need.

Is It Forbidden to Cut Nails or Hair Before Offering Qurbani?

There are varying scholarly views regarding whether it's prohibited or simply discouraged to cut your nails and hair if you're intending to offer Qurbani.

According to the Hanbali school of thought, it is obligatory to avoid trimming nails or hair from the beginning of Dhul Hijjah until the sacrifice is complete.
The majority of scholars consider it recommended to refrain from doing so, though not strictly mandatory.

This practice symbolizes a deeper connection with the spirit of sacrifice and submission during these sacred days.

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.

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.

Who is Obligated to Perform Qurbani?

For most Muslims, giving Qurbani is highly recommended. However, according to the Hanafi madhab, it is considered obligatory for every sane, adult Muslim who possesses wealth beyond their basic needs (i.e., meeting the nisab threshold).

Typically, those who are eligible to pay zakat are also required to perform Qurbani.

The Hanafi school of thought outlines the following conditions for Qurbani to be obligatory:

Every sane, mature Muslim who has reached puberty
Non-traveling individuals
Those who own wealth beyond their essential needs, equal to or exceeding the current nisab (87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver)

When Should Qurbani Animals Be Purchased?

Yes, Alkhidmat Foundation offers an online Qurbani service where you can donate funds, and they will perform the sacrifice on your behalf, ensuring the meat reaches those in need.

When is the Qurbani Meat Distributed?

Qurbani is carried out through Alkhidmat Foundation’s country offices, where animals are purchased and slaughtered locally. Once the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is distributed to those most in need.

In cases where there are issues with local livestock supply (such as limited availability or natural disasters), animals may be sourced from abroad, slaughtered in accordance with Islamic guidelines, and then shipped to the affected countries.

How Should a Qurbani Animal Be Slaughtered?

For Qurbani to be valid, it is crucial that the sacrifice is carried out humanely and in accordance with Islamic guidelines. The following rules must be followed:

A sharp knife must be used to ensure a quick and humane sacrifice; dull knives should be avoided to prevent unnecessary pain.
Knives should never be sharpened in front of the animal to avoid causing distress.
No animal should be slaughtered in front of another animal.
During the sacrifice, the words "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" should be recited.
The animal should not be skinned until its body has completely cooled down.

Who Are the Recipients of Qurbani Meat?

When distributing Qurbani meat to the poor and needy, Alkhidmat Foundation has implemented a fair and transparent criteria system to ensure that we reach the most vulnerable individuals without any bias.

The distribution is based on the following factors:

Families living below the minimum income level for that specific country
Female-headed households
Families with disabled or elderly members
Families with children under five years old
Pregnant women
Breastfeeding mothers
Families with limited or no access to the market

How Many Animals Must Be Sacrificed?

According to the Hanafi school of thought, offering Qurbani is obligatory for every Muslim who meets the financial criteria. In other schools, it is considered highly recommended.

If Qurbani is required of you, the minimum offering is one share:

1 sheep or goat (counts as one share)
Or 1/7th of a cow, buffalo, or camel

You are also allowed and encouraged to give more than one share. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) offered multiple Qurbanis: for himself and on behalf of the Ummah. Many Muslims also give additional shares for their deceased parents or loved ones.

Qurbani Guidelines for Husband and Wife

In accordance with the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, both husband and wife are individually responsible for performing Qurbani if they:

Are mentally sound Muslims,
Have reached puberty, and
Own wealth exceeding their basic needs,
That wealth must be equal to or greater than the nisab threshold (currently 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver).

If both meet the criteria, each must offer one Qurbani sacrifice a separate obligation for each spouse.

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.