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.
Qurbani, observed from the 10th to 13th of Dhul Hijjah during Eid ul Adha, is a sacred act of worship that symbolizes submission to Allah and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son. This section outlines the spiritual meaning, Qur’anic references, Prophetic traditions, and essential fiqh (jurisprudence) guidelines related to Qurbani.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.