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. See also our What Is Qurbani? overview and our Online Qurbani Services page.
Who Must Perform It (Eligibility & Nisab)
Unlike Salat (prayer), which is compulsory for every Muslim, Udhiya depends on certain criteria. Whether it is obligatory or a strongly confirmed Sunnah depends on your school of law: in the Hanafi school it is wajib (obligatory) on an adult, sane, resident Muslim who owns wealth above the nisab on the days of Eid, while the majority view, as stated by Dar al-Ifta of Jordan, is that it is a strongly confirmed Sunnah for those who can afford it. See our full eligibility guide, with its sources, for more detail, and how to calculate Nisab for Qurbani to check whether you reach the threshold.
The Time of Qurbani
Udhiya starts after the Eid-ul-Adha prayer: the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever slaughters before the prayer has only offered meat for his family, not the sacrifice (Sahih al-Bukhari 5545). The end of the time depends on the school: Hanafi sources say before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah (three days), while the Shafi'i school and one Hanbali opinion allow until sunset on the 13th. See our guide to the days and time of Qurbani, our Qurbani on Eid ul-Adha page and our complete Eid-ul-Adha Qurbani 2027 guide for dates and rituals. Also see the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah and Eid ul Adha morning.
Animal Conditions
The age and condition of the animal matter. The Prophet ﷺ named four defects to avoid in sacrificial animals: an animal that is obviously one-eyed, obviously sick, obviously lame, or so lean it has no marrow (Sunan Abi Dawud 2802). Minimum ages are set out, with sources, in our guide to Qurbani animal age and defects. Most people opt for a goat, though sheep or buffalo are also acceptable. See our Qurbani price guide for current pricing by animal type.
The Moment of Sacrifice (Niyyah)
The Quran tells us to pronounce the Name of Allah over the sacrificial animals (Quran 22:36). The words commonly said at the moment of sacrifice are "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" (in the name of Allah, Allah is Great).
Is Online Qurbani Valid? (Wakalah)
Appointing a trusted wakeel to perform Qurbani on your behalf is accepted in the Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali fatwa sources we checked, with conditions. See Is Online Qurbani Valid in Islam? for the named sources, and our Online Qurbani 2027 in India page for this year's process.
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, the meat is shared. Hanafi sources describe a three-part division as recommended, not obligatory - see how to divide Qurbani meat. See our Distribution Policy for how Qurbani Easy distributes.