The celebration of Eid ul-Adha is a very important event in the Islamic calendar. It involves sacred acts of worship to connect closer to Allah (SWT) and bring the ummah together, no matter their circumstances. A huge part of the celebrations, and a vital act of worship, is the obligation of sacrificing an animal for those who meet the requirements. This act is known as Qurbani and has a deep, meaningful history that Muslims commemorate, which is used as a way to show their devotion to their faith. Due to this, every year during the month of Dhul Hijjah (where Eid ul-Adha takes place), preparations for the sacrifice begins and Muslims choose their animal of choice.
Qurbani is carried out according to Islamic regulations to ensure it’s fulfilled properly and fairly. This means that for many Muslims, including those in the UK, it’s impossible to do the sacrifice themselves. Instead, reputable charities take Qurbani donations to carry out the sacrifice on behalf of a believer and distribute the meat to those facing poverty and hunger. The meat from Qurbani should be distributed to those in need as a way to provide them with life-saving nutrition and the chance to feel the joy of Eid. At Muslim Aid, we know that this isn’t the only advantage of this sacred act of worship, so we’ve created this guide to help you understand the benefits of giving Qurbani in Islam.
To understand why we give Qurbani, it’s important to know how this vital tradition began. This act of worship commemorates the story of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his utter devotion to Allah (SWT). It started when the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was commanded by Allah to make a sacrifice for Him. This sacrifice was his only son, Ismail (AS), to show Ibrahim’s devotion to his faith and to Allah (SWT). Prophet Ibrahim (AS) knew in his heart that the sacrifice must be made, even though it pained him. He completely submitted to Allah’s command and showed his unwavering devotion to Him by taking Ismail (AS) to Mount Arafat to carry out the sacrifice. As Ibrahim (AS) was about to commit to the command, Allah (SWT) sent down a ram to be sacrificed instead of his son to reward him for his utter devotion and commitment. This shows that the intention behind the act, rather than the act itself, is what matters most when committing yourself to Islam.
Today, Muslims all over the world honour Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and reflect that same devotion to Allah (SWT) through the Qurbani sacrifice on Eid ul-Adha. A sacrifice of a goat, sheep, cow or camel is made by able believers to fulfil their obligations and help the hungry with life-saving sustenance. It helps every Muslim connect closer to Allah (SWT), earn blessings and rewards, bring the ummah together in worship and celebration, and save the lives of those in desperate need.
Many believers often wonder, “What are the benefits of Qurbani?”, to understand why this act of worship should be done during the days of Eid. There are numerous benefits of Qurbani that can help Muslims spiritually and in the afterlife.
A major benefit of giving Qurbani in Islam is that it helps a Muslim to fulfil an important Islamic obligation. If you meet the requirements of carrying out a Qurbani or donating to a charity for a sacrifice to happen on your behalf, then following this through helps you to please Allah (SWT). This means that giving Qurbani earns you rewards that will be given to you in the Hereafter. As well as this, donating Qurbani can also fulfil the Islamic duty of charity as the meat is distributed to the poor and hungry to help them survive. This kindness and compassion show your altruism and your ability to always put others before yourself to help the struggling, which earns more rewards. Always helping others in any way you can has the ability to bring many benefits to society, spreading a good word about you in communities and making a massive impact on those you help who’ll remember your generosity for years to come.
Another benefit of Qurbani is that it can make a good impact on your afterlife. The sacrifice is a direct act of worship, which means that you instantly please Allah (SWT) by fulfilling it and following His command. On top of this, Qurbani is also a Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), so when you give Qurbani, you’re following in the footsteps of both of these Prophets. The more that you actively participate in Islamic traditions like the sacrifice, the more you’re spreading knowledge of Islam and keeping the faith thriving throughout generations. This pleases Allah (SWT) and helps you earn His pleasure to ensure you’re guided righteously throughout the rest of your life. With this, you get the opportunity to eliminate your sins and earn rewards that provide the best afterlife for you.
The following hadith reflects this benefit and shows just how important Qurbani is:
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah):
"For every hair of the Qurbani, you receive a reward from Allah."
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “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. The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. So sacrifice with an open and happy heart” (Tirmidhi).
This hadith shows the immense reward that Muslims can gain through the act of Qurbani, encouraging believers to give sincerely and with joy.
The benefits of Qurbani in Islam can go much further than a Muslim’s spirituality. It helps boost every believer's core values that shape their lives and their faith, like empathy and generosity. Traditionally, the meat is shared with family, neighbours and those in need, but many Muslims entrust charitable organisations with their duty so give all of the meat to the poor. Sharing this meat with those facing unimaginable hunger and poverty strengthens the ummah and allows everyone, no matter their circumstances, to feel the joy of Eid and join in the celebrations. It also promotes compassion and social equity because the blessings of those with wealth are redistributed to make sure that nobody goes hungry on Eid.
As well as this, Qurbani reminds Muslims just how important it is to care for the less fortunate. For most around the world, particularly those in poverty-stricken areas and disaster zones, meat is a luxury that they barely get to enjoy. Your Qurbani can change this and allow families to have a proper meal to celebrate Eid and finally put meat on the table, which could be the only time all year they taste meat. You can nourish their bodies, help them survive and give them dignity in time for the celebrations.
Charities like Muslim Aid work tirelessly to ensure that your Qurbani reaches those who need it most. By donating through a trusted organisation, your sacrifice can feed communities affected by poverty, conflict and disaster in some of the most vulnerable regions of the world.
So, what are the benefits of Qurbani for the ummah? The sacrifice has a huge collective impact that helps to strengthen the ummah and bring Muslims from all walks of life together in unison. It encourages the ummah to get together and strengthen their connection, showcasing unity and global brotherhood that keeps Islam thriving throughout multiple generations. Believers from all types of life and all corners of the world perform the act together around the same time, which connects everyone together and provides the ummah with a shared purpose in life. When Muslims come together through worship and giving, the bond between everyone, even those outside of the ummah, strengthens and reminds the community of the responsibility of looking after one another.
Qurbani is a community act of worship that is more than a duty in Islam. It has the ability to make a meaningful difference in countless lives and includes everyone in the joys of Eid ul-Adha, allowing the struggling to celebrate amongst the wealthy.
At Muslim Aid, we strive to quickly distribute Qurbani to those who need it most across the world to end their hunger and suffering.
Entrusting us with your sacrifice can help you gain numerous benefits of Qurbani, while properly fulfilling your duty and helping those in need. As well as this, choosing to give Qurbani through us ensures your donation is handled quickly and is delivered with care, compassion and transparency. Our team on the ground distribute Qurbani to over 20 countries to give meat to those who really need it, focusing on the most vulnerable, such as orphans, struggling families and refugees. We handle every part of the Qurbani process in line with Islamic regulations, so that you don’t have to worry about your obligation being fulfilled correctly. Our team use your donation to select a healthy animal of your choice, ensure the sacrifice is carried out correctly and quickly distribute it to those facing poverty and hardship to supply them with vital nourishment to help them survive. We truly take care of everything to give you peace of mind that your Qurbani is valid and makes a meaningful difference to countless lives.
Donate your Qurbani to Muslim Aid to make an impact and help save the lives of those in desperate need. Your gift could feed a family for days and bring smiles to their faces, providing them with hope, relief and joy when they need it most.
Understanding the benefits of giving Qurbani in Islam helps Muslims to carry out this sacred act correctly and with gratitude and purpose. Your Qurbani can strengthen your spirituality, provide the chance to help those in need and honour a Prophetic tradition, making it one of the most powerful and rewarding acts you can do during Eid ul-Adha. Give Qurbani to those who need it most and bring hope, relief and joy this Eid through nutritious meals.
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