How to Do Qurbani?

What Is Qurbani?

For clarity, Qurbani is the practice of slaughtering an animal, usually a sheep or goat, as an offering to Allah (SWT). As a very important religious practice, careful attention should be given to every detail, however small, so Qurbani is conducted properly and fully in accordance with Islamic rules. Below are a few important guidelines related to Udhiya and Qurbani.

Who Must Perform It (Eligibility & Nisab)

Unlike Salat (prayer), which is compulsory for every Muslim, Udhiya requires certain criteria to be met. Any sane, adult Muslim who possesses the Nisab amount for Zakat must perform Qurbani - including on behalf of children in the family, paid for by the parents unless the children are themselves adults. In short: if you are eligible to pay Zakat, you must also perform Qurbani for yourself and every family member, including children. See our full eligibility guide for more detail.

The Time of Qurbani

Timing is very important, with strict and specific guidelines. Udhiya can only be performed after the Eid-ul-Adha prayers, from the 10th of Dhul Hijjah to the 12th - three days in total. If performed before the allotted time it must be repeated; if performed after, it is not properly conducted and will not be accepted.

Animal Conditions

The health and condition of the animal matters greatly - animals that are weak, blind, physically disabled, too young, or have broken horns or no teeth are ineligible. Most people opt for a goat, though sheep or buffalo are also acceptable.

The Moment of Sacrifice (Niyyah)

Saying the Takbeer at the moment of sacrifice is paramount to a successful and acceptable Qurbani: "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" (in the name of Allah, Allah is Great). It is not necessary to say these words out loud.

Is Online Qurbani Valid? (Wakalah)

Appointing a wakeel to perform Qurbani on your behalf - including through an online platform - is an established Islamic practice. See Is Online Qurbani Valid in Islam? for the full ruling.

Zakat & Qurbani

For whether Zakat funds specifically can be used toward Qurbani, see Can You Use Zakat Money for Qurbani?

Family & Special Cases

Some situations need their own explanation beyond the general rules above - including whether women are required to perform Qurbani themselves, and whether Qurbani can be performed on behalf of a deceased parent or relative. See Can Women Perform Qurbani? and Qurbani for Deceased Parents.

Distribution

Once Qurbani is performed, how the meat is distributed follows its own set of rules. See our Distribution Policy for details.