Key takeaways
- Qurbani is performed during the prescribed days of Eid ul-Adha.
- Goats and sheep generally count as one person's sacrifice, while a cow or buffalo can accommodate up to seven shares.
- Animals must meet the applicable age and health requirements.
- Both male and female animals can be eligible for Qurbani.
- The purpose of Qurbani is devotion to Allah, not simply obtaining meat.
- Donating through a welfare organization can help distribute Qurbani meat to eligible families in need.
Qurbani, also known as Udhiyah, is an Islamic act of worship performed during Eid ul-Adha. It commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and teaches Muslims sincerity, obedience to Allah, and generosity towards others. Learning how to do Qurbani in Islam involves understanding the eligible animals, age and health requirements, prescribed timing, slaughter procedure, and responsible meat distribution.
What Is Qurbani in Islam?
Qurbani is the sacrifice of an eligible livestock animal during the prescribed days of Eid ul-Adha. It is also called Udhiyah in Arabic and is associated with the example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), whose willingness to obey Allah represents sincere faith and submission.
The spiritual purpose of Qurbani is explained in the Quran, Surah Al-Hajj (22:37). The verse teaches that the meat and blood of sacrificial animals do not reach Allah; rather, what matters is the believers’ piety. Read the Quranic reference to Surah Al-Hajj, verse 37 for the full context.
Qurbani therefore combines worship with gratitude and compassion. Sharing meat with people in need can extend its social benefit, particularly to families who cannot regularly afford nutritious food. However, the obligation and detailed rulings depend on the applicable Islamic jurisprudence and individual circumstances.
How to Do Qurbani in Islam: Step-by-Step Guide
Performing Qurbani correctly requires an eligible animal, the correct timing, a lawful slaughter procedure, and attention to the applicable Islamic requirements. These steps provide a practical overview.
1. Confirm Your Qurbani Obligation
Determine whether Qurbani is required in your circumstances according to the school of Islamic jurisprudence you follow. Financial eligibility and other conditions can differ between scholarly schools. A qualified scholar can clarify how the relevant rules apply to your situation.
2. Choose an Eligible Animal
Select a permitted livestock animal that meets the applicable minimum age and health requirements. Check for defects that may invalidate the sacrifice and obtain reliable information about the animal’s age. An animal that is convenient or inexpensive is not necessarily eligible.
3. Observe the Prescribed Timing
Qurbani must take place within the prescribed period of Eid ul-Adha. Under commonly followed Hanafi guidance, the sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer on 10 Dhul Hijjah and continues through sunset on 12 Dhul Hijjah. Details can differ according to jurisprudential guidance and circumstances, so confirm the applicable ruling locally.
4. Ensure Proper Islamic Procedure
The sacrifice should be performed by a competent person following the relevant Islamic requirements, including the appropriate intention and lawful slaughter procedure. The animal must be handled humanely, with suitable preparation and hygienic handling of the meat.
The importance of the timing is supported by Sahih Muslim, Book of Sacrifices, Hadith 1961e, which discusses sacrifice after the Eid prayer. Consult a qualified scholar for detailed procedural rulings.
5. Distribute the Meat Responsibly
After the sacrifice, the meat should be handled safely and distributed in accordance with Islamic guidance. Families may share it with relatives, neighbours, and people in need. Charitable distribution can be especially valuable where households have limited access to fresh meat during Eid.
Which Animals Are Allowed for Qurbani?
The permitted livestock for Qurbani includes goats, sheep, cattle, buffaloes, and camels. Each animal must satisfy the applicable age and health requirements. The following table presents general age guidelines commonly followed in Hanafi jurisprudence.
| Animal | General minimum age | Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Goat | One year | One |
| Sheep | Generally one year; a recognised exception may apply to qualifying sheep | One |
| Cow | Two years | Up to seven |
| Buffalo | Two years | Up to seven |
| Camel | Five years | Up to seven |
These are general guidelines rather than a substitute for a qualified ruling. The recognised age exception for certain sheep has specific conditions and should not automatically be applied to goats. The animal must also meet the relevant health and defect requirements.
Goat Qurbani and Cow Qurbani
A qualifying goat or sheep generally represents one person’s sacrifice. A cow or buffalo can accommodate up to seven shares when the applicable conditions are met and the participants have the required intentions. Before purchasing an animal or joining a shared sacrifice, confirm its eligibility and the arrangements with a reliable provider.
When Should Qurbani Be Performed?
Qurbani is performed during the designated days of Eid ul-Adha, not at any arbitrary time of the year. The valid starting time is important because a sacrifice performed before the prescribed time may not count as the required Udhiyah. Sahih Muslim’s narration on sacrifice timing explains the significance of completing the Eid prayer before slaughter.
Under commonly followed Hanafi guidance, the sacrifice period extends from after the Eid prayer on 10 Dhul Hijjah through sunset on 12 Dhul Hijjah. Other jurisprudential details should be checked with a qualified scholar, especially when arranging Qurbani in another city or country.
How Should Qurbani Meat Be Distributed?
Qurbani meat can benefit the household performing the sacrifice, relatives, neighbours, and people facing financial hardship. A commonly taught practice is to divide the meat into three portions for personal use, sharing with others, and people in need. This should not be presented as a universally binding allocation in every circumstance; consult reliable Islamic guidance for the ruling that applies.
Charitable distribution requires more than simply collecting meat. Safe handling, hygienic packing, timely delivery, and fair beneficiary selection help ensure that the intended families receive the benefit. These practical considerations are especially relevant when a donor appoints an organisation to arrange the sacrifice.
How to Donate Qurbani in Pakistan
Muslims who cannot arrange the sacrifice themselves may consider an organisation that offers a managed Qurbani service. Before donating, check the animal selection process, applicable Islamic requirements, payment instructions, distribution locations, and the evidence provided to donors.
Midrar Welfare Foundation’s Qurbani Project describes an online booking service that arranges animal selection, sacrifice, hygienic meat packing, and delivery to deserving families across Tharparkar and interior Sindh. The project also describes photo updates for donors and a beneficiary selection process intended to identify vulnerable households.
To evaluate a charitable Qurbani service, review its current project information and confirm the details that matter to you before making a contribution. You can also explore Midrar Welfare Foundation’s other welfare projects to understand its wider charitable work.
Choosing a transparent arrangement can help donors understand how the sacrifice is managed and how the meat reaches intended recipients. Donation through an organisation does not remove the need to ensure that the sacrifice fulfils the relevant Islamic requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qurbani
What is Qurbani in Islam?
Qurbani, also known as Udhiyah, is the sacrifice of eligible livestock during the prescribed days of Eid ul-Adha as an act of worship and obedience to Allah.
What is the minimum age of a goat for Qurbani?
Under commonly followed Hanafi guidance, a goat generally must be one complete year old and meet the applicable health and defect requirements.
Can a female goat be used for Qurbani?
Yes. A female goat may be eligible if it meets the relevant age, health, and other Islamic requirements. The animal’s sex alone does not disqualify it.
Can seven people share one cow for Qurbani?
Yes. A cow can accommodate up to seven shares when the relevant conditions are met and each participant has the required intention for Qurbani.
Can I donate Qurbani online in Pakistan?
Yes. Some welfare organisations offer online booking and manage animal selection, sacrifice, and meat distribution. Review the organisation’s current process, payment details, and donor updates before contributing.
What is the purpose of distributing Qurbani meat?
Meat distribution allows families, relatives, neighbours, and people experiencing hardship to benefit from Eid ul-Adha. It expresses generosity while supporting the charitable purpose associated with Qurbani.
