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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.