Last updated: 2027
Sadaqah is charity given to help the poor, and one way of giving it is to donate an animal, such as a goat, as Sadaqah Qurbani. This article explains what Sadaqah Qurbani is from an Islamic point of view, whether it is permitted in Shariah, how it compares to Eid Qurbani, and how to book it through Qurbani Easy as part of your Online Sadqah in India giving.
Sadaqah and Qurbani According to Islamic Teachings
Sadaqah is a voluntary charitable donation given to help those in need, and it can be given at any time during the year. It helps a person seek the blessing of Allah (SWT) while supporting brothers and sisters who are in genuine need. This kind of charity is strongly encouraged in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah says in the Quran:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Qur’an 2:261, Sahih International translation)
Qurbani, by contrast, is the sacrifice of an animal, customarily performed on Eid ul Adha, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah. In the Hanafi school, Udhiyah is classified as wajib for an eligible person who meets the relevant financial and other conditions. The Maliki and Shafi’i schools, along with the more commonly cited view within the Hanbali school, generally classify it as Sunnah Mu’akkadah. Sadaqah Qurbani, however, can be performed at any time throughout the year to seek Allah’s pleasure.
When you offer Sadaqah Qurbani, the meat helps put food on the table for underprivileged families. In this one act you meet a charitable need and earn reward from Allah (SWT).
Sadaqah Qurbani combines charity with the sacrifice of an animal. Its basis is the Qur’an’s repeated encouragement of spending in charity, as in the verse quoted above; when that charity takes the form of Qurbani, the meat also reaches those in need.
One clarification worth making clearly: “Sadqah Qurbani” is not a separate, formal category of Islamic ruling alongside Qurbani and Sadaqah. Sadaqah is the broad Islamic concept of voluntary charity; “Sadqah Qurbani” is simply Qurbani Easy’s name for giving that charity in the specific form of an animal sacrifice and its distribution. It is a way of giving Sadaqah, not a religious category equivalent to Udhiyah.
Is It Possible to Perform Sadaqah Qurbani with a Goat?
The animal you choose for Sadaqah Qurbani depends on what you can afford. Through Qurbani Easy, the available options are Goat, Sheep/She-Goat, and Cock/Hen — the Cock/Hen option is available for Sadaqah Qurbani only and is not an Eid Udhiyah/Qurbani animal. Whichever animal is chosen, some basic requirements apply:
The animal must be free from illness or visible defects.
The slaughter must be performed correctly according to Islamic guidelines, including reciting Bismillah and Allahu Akbar before the sacrifice.
Many people choose a goat for Sadaqah Qurbani because it is easier to arrange and more affordable, which makes it practical for those who wish to give Sadaqah Qurbani more than once a year.
How to Book Sadaqah Qurbani with Qurbani Easy
Qurbani Easy offers a simple way to book Qurbani and Sadaqah Qurbani online. It is built for Muslims who want to fulfil this act of worship without the usual work of arranging the animal, the slaughter, and payment themselves. Booking takes just a few steps: visit the website, select Sadaqah Qurbani, choose your animal, and complete your payment securely — Qurbani Easy handles the rest, including confirmation and proof of the sacrifice.
It’s worth noting how this differs from booking Eid Qurbani. Eid Qurbani is tied to its prescribed sacrifice period around Eid ul Adha (see the full walkthrough in how to book online Qurbani through Qurbani Easy), while Sadqah Qurbani is not tied to that period. Depending on the specific service option, you may be able to provide a preferred date when booking Sadqah Qurbani — this records your preference and is not a guarantee of execution on that exact date. As with any booking, availability is subject to what’s currently offered on the website.
Qurbani vs Sadaqah: Key Differences
| Aspect | Qurbani (Udhiyah) | Sadqah Qurbani (via Qurbani Easy) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic nature | A prescribed act of sacrifice tied to Eid ul Adha | A voluntary act of charity, given through a sacrifice |
| Islamic status | Wajib (Hanafi) or Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali) | Voluntary (Sadaqah, Nafl) |
| Timing | The prescribed sacrifice period of Eid ul Adha | Not tied to the Eid Qurbani period |
| Intention (niyyah) | For Qurbani/Udhiyah specifically | For Sadaqah (voluntary charity) |
| Who it applies to | Eligible Muslims, per the ruling their school follows | Anyone who wishes to give, with no eligibility threshold |
| Animal requirement | Must meet specific Shariah conditions for a valid Udhiyah animal | Sadaqah itself does not require an animal; this service uses its currently listed animal options |
| Animal options through Qurbani Easy | Goat, Sheep, Buffalo (full animal or Hissa share) | Goat, Sheep/She-Goat, Cock/Hen |
| Outside Eid period? | No — the sacrifice itself is restricted to the Eid ul Adha period | Yes — not tied to the Eid Qurbani period |
| Other forms (money, food)? | No — Udhiyah specifically requires the sacrifice itself | Yes for Sadaqah broadly; this specific service is the sacrifice form |
| Can Sadaqah replace Eid Qurbani? | No — voluntary Sadaqah is a separate act and should not be treated as fulfilling Udhiyah where Udhiyah applies to the person according to the ruling they follow. | |
| Booking availability | Subject to current service availability around Eid ul Adha | Subject to current service availability, not tied to Eid |
Can Sadaqah Replace Qurbani?
This is a common question worth answering directly: no, not as a general rule. Both Qurbani and Sadaqah are good and rewarded acts, but being charitable in one way doesn’t automatically substitute for a different, specific act of worship. If Udhiyah applies to a person according to the ruling their school of thought follows, giving an ordinary Sadaqah donation instead does not, on its own, fulfil that Udhiyah obligation or Sunnah.
This isn’t about one act being more valuable than the other — they’re simply distinct acts of worship, each with its own intention and conditions. Personal circumstances — for example, being unable to arrange a sacrifice for a valid reason — are worth taking to a qualified scholar who can look at your situation directly.
Can You Do Both?
Yes. Performing your Eid Qurbani and separately giving Sadaqah — whether as money, food, or an additional Sadqah Qurbani booking at another time of year — are both valid and can be done by the same person without conflict. They remain two separate acts: one fulfils the Eid ul Adha sacrifice, and the other is additional voluntary giving whenever you choose to offer it.
Sources
Qur’an 2:261 is quoted per the Sahih International translation (verified against corpus.quran.com). The classification of Qurbani as wajib in the Hanafi school and as sunnah mu’akkadah in the Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools follows IslamQA (Hanafi section) and IslamQA citing the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas. The animal-defect criteria (free from illness or visible defects) follow the hadith of al-Bara’ ibn Azib (Sunan Abu Dawud 2802, graded sound); this hadith addresses physical defects only. The previously cited “believer’s shade” hadith was removed because its stated reference (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 604) is incorrect.
Conclusion
Sadaqah Qurbani lets you combine charity and sacrifice in a single act of worship that is not tied to Eid alone, while remaining distinct from the Eid ul Adha Qurbani obligation itself. Done sincerely, and carried out according to Shariah, it is a valid and rewarding way to help families in need throughout the year — whether given on its own or alongside your Eid Qurbani. If you are weighing how to give, compare online and traditional Sadaqah Qurbani.