Qurbani FAQ

Q. What is Qurbani?

A. Qurbani is a sacrifice that is offered at the time of Eid al-Adha to show gratitude towards Allah (swt) and to provide for the poor and needy.
RasoolAllah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was once asked by His Companions: "Ya RasoolAllah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! What is this Qurbani?" RasoolAllah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, "It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam)." (Hadith - Ibn Majah)

Allah (Subhan Wa Ta’ala) says in the Qur'an: "It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)
It is narrated that Allah’s beloved and our Master RasoolAllah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked, ‘What is Qurbani?’ RasoolAllah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) answered, ‘It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam). For every hair of the Qurbani you receive a reward from Allah Kareem.’ (Hadith - Trimidhi)

Qurbani has been performed from the time of Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam) and commemorates also Ibrahim's (Alaihi Salam) willingness to sacrifice his son, who was replaced by an animal at the time of sacrifice.
There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart. (Tirmizi, Ibne Majah)

Q. What is the difference between Qurbani and Udhiyah?

A. There is no difference between the two. Udhiyah is an Arabic term for the sacrifice and qurbani is the term used in Urdu and various other languages. We use the word qurbani as it is the better known of the two amongst UK Muslims.

Q. Is Qurbani obligatory? If so on whom?

A. The Qurbani sacrifice is obligatory on sane male or female Muslims above the age of puberty who possesses “Nisab”, a minimal level of wealth for that moment in time, not necessarily for one Islamic calendar year. It's possession during the three days of Qurbani will make Qurbani obligatory. Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform it on their behalf. Similarly, it is not wajib on a Shar'ee traveler .

Notes:

• Nisaab is the value of excess wealth which makes a Muslim liable for Zakaah i.e. The possession of, or equivalent capital value of seven and half tolas gold (87.48 grams ) or fifty two tolas of silver (612.32 grams.
• A Shar'ee traveler is he who goes on a journey with an intention of traveling forty eight miles. He will be treated as a traveler as soon as he goes out of his town.
  
  
• It is highly virtuous for one on whom Qurbani is not wajib to offer sacrifice for the Pleasure of Allah. He will be eligible for all the reward mentioned in the Ahadeeth.
  
  During the days of Qurbani, sadaqah and charity cannot compensate for Qurbani nor fulfil the wajib. Qurbani is a unique ibadah. Just as Zakah cannot compensate for Hajj, or Sawm (Fasting) cannot compensate for Salaat, similarly charity cannot compensate for Qurbani. However, if the days of Qurbani had passed, and the Qurbani was not offered

Q. What are the days and time for Qurbani?

A. The days of Qurbani are the tenth, eleventh and twelfth of Zul Hijjah. The first day is better than the second, and the second better than the last. In towns, cities and villages where jumu'ah and 'Eid prayers are performed, Qurbani is not permissible before the 'Eid Salat. If the Qurbani has been offered before the 'Eid Salat, it will have to be repeated. Therefore, the time for Qurbani commences after 'Eid Salat on 1Oth Zul Hijjah until before sunset of 12th Zul Hijjah.

Q. Which animals can be sacrificed?

A. Qurbani animals are goats, sheep, cattle and camels. It is necessary that the goat is one (full) year old, whether male or female. A cow, bull or buffalo will have to be two years old, and a camel five years. .Animals that are younger are not suitable for Qurbani.

A sheep (of any kind) not less than six months old, so strong and fat that it appears to be one year old will suffice for Qurbani, otherwise it will have to be one (full) year old.

If an animal seller says that the animal has reached the required age, and outwardly there is no sign to disprove it, then it is permissible to rely on his statement.

No other type of animals are allowed for qurbani. In addition, the animals should be in good health.

Q. What are Qurbani shares?

A. Qurbani animals are considered to have 'shares,' where a single share is sufficient for performing the qurbani. Sheep and goats consist a single share, cattle seven and camels consist of fourteen shares.
Therefore to perform a qurbani for a single person one must either sacrifice a sheep or goat, seven people must together purchase a cow or fourteen people purchase a camel and share the sacrifice. The reward in both instances is the same.

Q. What happens to the meat of Qurbani sacrifice?

A. Ideally the meat from the qurbani sacrifice should be shared between one's own family, friends and the poor. It is very difficult to perform a Qurbani sacrifice in most western countries, and there are also relatively few poor persons, so it is permissible to pay for a sacrifice to be performed on one's behalf in another country, and for all the meat to be distributed to the poor.

Muslim Aid will perform the qurbani sacrifice in a country of your choosing (or where most needed) and will distribute all the meat to the poor and needy.

Q. How much does a Qurbani cost?

A. As a Qurbani involves the purchase of an animal costs vary from country to country. You can find a list of available countries and the cost of performing a Qurbani in each country on our website or attached file with this document.

Q. How can I donate a Qurbani?

A. You can donate a Qurbani by sending cheque, cash, online & over the phone.

Q. Do I need to do anything special if I intend to offer a sacrifice?

A. If one intends to perform a Qurbani sacrifice then they should refrain from cutting their hair or nails, or removing parts of the skin, during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

(*Last question notes: Some believe that this applies on everyone who is doing a sacrifice and some say it is only for the people who are performing Hajj)