Frequently Asked Questions
Qurbani, or Udhiyah, is an Islamic practice of sacrificing an animal during Eid al-Adha. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah (Quran 37:102-107).
Qurbani is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is financially able to do so. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said, “If someone has the means to perform Qurbani but does not do it, he should not come near our Eid prayer place” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3143).
Yes, it is permissible to perform Qurbani on behalf of others, including deceased family members, provided you are financially able. This is supported by various hadiths, such as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performing Qurbani on behalf of his family and others (Sahih Muslim 1961).
Acceptable animals for Qurbani include sheep, goats, cows, and camels. They must meet specific age and health requirements. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The Qurbani is a Sunnah of your father Ibrahim” (Sahih Muslim 1967).
The minimum age requirements are:
Sheep and goats: at least one year old.
Buffaloes: at least two years old.
Camels: at least five years old.
This is based on the hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) specified the age requirements for animals (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Qurbani can be performed anywhere, not just in Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Qurbani in Medina, and it is permissible to do so in your local area (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Qurbani should be performed after the Eid al-Adha prayer and before the sunset of the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The first thing we do on this day of ours is to offer the Eid prayer” (Sahih Muslim 1141).
The animal should be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic guidelines, which include reciting “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) and “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) before slaughtering, and ensuring the animal is treated humanely (Quran 6:121, Sahih al-Bukhari 5516).
Yes, Qurbani can be performed on behalf of newborns. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sacrificed two rams for his grandsons, Hasan and Husayn, indicating that it is permissible to perform Qurbani for infants (Sunan Abu Dawood 2836).
Performing Qurbani is a means of earning great rewards and blessings from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “There is nothing dearer to Allah on the Day of Sacrifice than the sacrifice of an animal” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3127).
DYes, Qurbani can be performed online or through a third party, provided the service follows Islamic guidelines. Many organizations offer Qurbani services, ensuring the requirements are met (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
If you cannot afford Qurbani, it is not obligatory for you. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that Qurbani is for those who have the means (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Fasting is not required before performing Qurbani. However, it is recommended to avoid cutting hair or nails from the 1st of Dhu al-Hijjah until the Qurbani is done (Sahih Muslim 1977).
Yes, you can consume the meat from Qurbani, but it is recommended to distribute a portion to the poor and needy as well. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Eat and feed others” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
The meat should be divided into three parts: one-third for yourself and your family, one-third to be given to relatives, and one-third to be distributed to the poor and needy (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
No, the animal should be in good health and free from any defects. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed that the animal should be healthy and without any obvious faults (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
No, Qurbani should only be performed after the Eid prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever offers sacrifice before the Eid prayer has sacrificed only for himself” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Qurbani symbolizes obedience, devotion, and sacrifice. It commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and reflects the willingness to give up something valuable for the sake of Allah (Quran 37:102-107).
No, Qurbani is a ritual specific to Muslims and should be performed by practicing Muslims (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
The animal must be of the correct age, healthy, and free from defects. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that the animal should be without any visible faults (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
It is not necessary to slaughter the animal yourself; it can be done by someone else on your behalf, provided they follow Islamic guidelines (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Giving money in place of Qurbani is not a substitute for the actual sacrifice. Qurbani must be performed with an animal as per Islamic requirements (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Yes, you can perform Qurbani on behalf of deceased family members. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Qurbani on behalf of his deceased family members (Sunan Abu Dawood 2836).
The skin can be kept for personal use, donated, or given to the poor. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) allowed the skins to be used and given away (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Yes, it is permissible to perform Qurbani on behalf of a newborn. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sacrificed for his grandsons, Hasan and Husayn, indicating its permissibility for infants (Sunan Abu Dawood 2836).
Yes, it is permissible to use farm animals raised for Qurbani, provided they meet all the required conditions and Islamic guidelines (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
If you have debts, Qurbani is not obligatory unless you are financially able to perform it without compromising your debt obligations (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
If you miss performing Qurbani during Eid, it can still be done within the three days of Eid al-Adha. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) allowed for Qurbani to be done up until the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Yes, one animal can be used for Qurbani on behalf of multiple people.
For example, a Baffalo or camel can be shared by up to seven people.
Yes, Qurbani is performed during Eid al-Adha, while Aqiqah is a separate ritual performed on the seventh day after the birth of a child. Both have distinct purposes and guidelines (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550, Abu Dawood 2836).
Only sheep, goats, cows, and camels are accepted for Qurbani. Other animals are not permissible according to the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Sacrifices outside of Eid al-Adha are considered optional and are usually done as a form of charity or to fulfill personal vows (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
The animal should be treated kindly and not be subjected to undue stress or mistreatment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized humane treatment of animals (Sahih al-Bukhari 5516).
If you are traveling, you may perform Qurbani at your destination or arrange for it to be done in your home country. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Qurbani while traveling on occasions (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Yes, Qurbani remains valid if the animal is slaughtered by someone else on behalf of the owner, as long as Islamic guidelines are followed (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
No, the animal must meet the minimum age requirements for Qurbani. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) specified these age requirements to ensure the animal’s suitability (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Performing Qurbani is a highly rewarded act of worship. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The blood of the sacrifice will reach Allah before it reaches the ground” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3127).
Yes, intention (niyyah) is required for Qurbani. It should be made at the time of slaughtering the animal, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of intention (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
It is permissible to use a borrowed animal for Qurbani, provided that the owner agrees and the animal meets the necessary conditions (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Preparation includes ensuring the animal meets all requirements, arranging for its humane treatment, and planning for its proper distribution. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provided guidance on the preparation and execution of Qurbani (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
The animal should not have been used for work or other purposes that could affect its fitness for Qurbani. It should be healthy and well-suited for sacrifice (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Distributing Qurbani meat is an important part of the ritual. It ensures that the meat benefits those in need and reflects the spirit of charity and sharing encouraged in Islam (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Qurbani is a practice specific to Muslims and should be performed only by Muslims. It is not valid to perform Qurbani for non-Muslims (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
If the animal dies before being slaughtered, it cannot be used for Qurbani. It must be alive at the time of slaughter to meet the requirements (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Yes, you can arrange for the Qurbani to be performed by someone else. The important aspect is that it follows Islamic guidelines (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Yes, performing Qurbani for a specific reason or vow is permissible, provided it aligns with Islamic teachings (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
It is not obligatory to use Qurbani meat to repay debts, but it is permissible to use it in any way that aligns with Islamic principles (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
If you cannot find an appropriate animal, you can make arrangements with local organizations or services that offer Qurbani services and meet Islamic guidelines (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Ensure that the animal meets all requirements, the slaughter is done according to Islamic guidelines, and the meat is distributed appropriately. Consulting with knowledgeable individuals or organizations can help ensure compliance (Sahih al-Bukhari 5550).
Qurbani represents submission to Allah’s will and the willingness to sacrifice for His sake. It embodies the values of charity, obedience, and devotion (Quran 37:102-107).