Last updated: 2027
This guide is for anyone performing Qurbani themselves in 2027 — buying the animal, carrying out the sacrifice, and sharing the meat by hand. It covers who Qurbani is due on, how to choose a valid animal, when the sacrifice must take place, the method taught in the Sunnah, and how the meat is divided. If you plan to book your Qurbani online instead, see our guide on online and offline Qurbani.
What Qurbani is
Qurbani, also called Udhiyah, is the sacrifice offered on the days of Eid ul Adha. It follows the example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) in obedience to Allah, and whom Allah ransomed with a ram. The Qur’an instructs the believer to sacrifice:
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” (Qur’an 108:2)
The Qur’an is also clear that the act is a means, not the aim:
“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.” (Qur’an 22:37)
A Qurbani carried out carefully, humanely, and with a sincere intention is what carries weight — not the size or price of the animal.
Who Qurbani is due on
Qurbani is due on every adult Muslim of sound mind who owns wealth above the nisab — the same threshold used for Zakat — on the days of Eid ul Adha. It is not required of children or of anyone who does not meet the nisab. In most households one Qurbani is offered on behalf of the family, though each eligible member may offer their own. Zakat money cannot be used to pay for Qurbani — see our guide on using Zakat money for Qurbani. For a fuller explanation of who must offer it, see our complete guide to Qurbani in India for 2027.
Choosing the animal
The animals used for Qurbani in India are the goat, the sheep and the buffalo. A goat or a sheep counts as one share. A buffalo can be shared by up to seven people, each with their own valid intention. Whichever you choose, it must meet the conditions Islam sets:
- Age. A goat or sheep should be at least one year old (a healthy, well-grown sheep of six months is also accepted by many scholars). A buffalo should be at least two years old.
- Health. The animal must be free of defects that reduce its worth as a sacrifice — it should not be visibly one-eyed or blind, clearly lame, obviously ill, or extremely thin and weak. Minor blemishes do not disqualify it.
Inspect the animal before you buy. In a local market, check that it moves well, feeds normally, and shows no sign of disease.
When Qurbani is performed
Qurbani is valid only on the days of Eid ul Adha — the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, after the Eid prayer, and continuing through the 12th. A sacrifice carried out before the Eid prayer, or after sunset on the 12th, does not count as Qurbani. Sacrificing earlier in the window is better, so the meat reaches families sooner.
The exact dates for Eid ul Adha 2027 depend on the sighting of the moon for Dhul Hijjah; confirm them with your local moon-sighting authority as Eid approaches.
The method, step by step
The sacrifice should be carried out by someone who knows how to do it correctly. If you have not done it before, ask an experienced person to perform or supervise it. It is worth reading our guide to the common mistakes that invalidate a Qurbani alongside this. The method taught in the Sunnah is:
- Make the intention. Before the sacrifice, intend in your heart that this is your Qurbani, offered for the sake of Allah. If a buffalo is shared, every participant needs their own separate intention.
- Prepare the knife out of the animal’s sight. Sharpen the blade well beforehand. It is disliked to sharpen it in front of the animal, or to slaughter one animal while another watches.
- Position the animal gently. Lay it on its left side facing the Qiblah, and hold it calmly. Handle it without roughness at every stage.
- Say the name of Allah. Say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” at the moment of the cut.
- Make one swift, firm cut. Cut through the windpipe, the gullet, and the two blood vessels on either side of the neck in a single stroke, without severing the spinal cord or cutting the head off.
- Let it bleed out fully. Do not begin skinning or cutting the animal until all movement has stopped.
Handling, hygiene and the law
Carry out the sacrifice on a clean surface, keep water on hand, and dispose of blood, hide and waste properly rather than leaving them in the open. In India the animal slaughtered for Qurbani is the goat, the sheep or the buffalo — not the cow — and several states regulate where and how animals may be slaughtered. Use an approved site, and confirm the local rules before Eid so the sacrifice is carried out lawfully as well as correctly.
Dividing the meat
The sunnah is to divide the meat into three parts: one for your own household, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor. You may keep more or give more, but the share for the poor should not be neglected — for many families it is the one time in the year they eat meat. Distribute it promptly, while it is fresh.
If you cannot perform it yourself
Appointing someone to carry out the sacrifice on your behalf (wakalah) is well established in Islamic practice, so if you cannot do it in person — because you have no access to a livestock market, or cannot be present on the day — an online Qurbani carried out under proper supervision is valid. Qurbani Easy performs the sacrifice on the day of Eid under scholarly supervision and distributes the whole share to families in need across India. See our guide on how to buy Qurbani online in India for what to check in a platform.
Conclusion
Performing Qurbani yourself in 2027 comes down to a few essentials: a valid animal — goat, sheep or buffalo — on the right days of Eid ul Adha, a sincere intention, a swift and humane cut in the name of Allah, and the meat reaching those who need it. Done with care, it is one of the most direct acts of worship of the year.