Qurbani is a very sacred act of worship that is steeped in Islamic history and is carried out by all able Muslims around the world. It is a ritual that occurs only at a specific time every year, during the holy month of Dhul Hijjah. This is the 12th and final month of the Islamic year and is very spiritually significant due to the various events that fall within it. It’s a month filled with opportunities for Muslims to strengthen their faith and connection to Allah (SWT) through sacred acts of worship that fulfil specific obligations and help those in need. These events include the holy pilgrimage of Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a duty for every Muslim to fulfil during their lives. Alongside this, there’s also the celebration of Eid ul-Adha and the act of Qurbani, which falls within this celebration. Qurbani is done during the days of Eid and starts on the first day, which falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, after the Eid prayer.
With Qurbani being strongly encouraged for able Muslims across each Islamic school, it can leave many believers wondering why Qurbani is Important. The importance of this act of worship lies in the history of the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) great sacrifice for Allah (SWT), which is commemorated during the act. As well as this, there are numerous other reasons why Qurbani is important and should be done by every believer who is able to.
The act of Qurbani is an animal sacrifice to show devotion to Allah (SWT) and commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It’s to seek the pleasure of Allah and help Muslims earn reward from Him. There are specific regulations that must be adhered to in order to carry out the sacrifice properly. Firstly, the Qurbani sacrifice must be done during the days of Eid ul-Adha, starting after the Eid prayer on the first day and finishing on the 12th day of Dhul Hijjah. The act itself must abide by Islamic sacrifice regulations, which means that the animals must be healthy and sacrificed in a certain way. Animals eligible for sacrifice should be goats, sheep, camels, buffalo or cows. On top of this, Muslims who meet or exceed the Nisab and pay Zakat should give Qurbani.
Qurbani is a type of worship that strengthens and unites the ummah because it not only brings believers together in worship, but it also helps those facing unimaginable hardship and poverty in vulnerable areas across the world. This is due to the meat from the sacrifice being distributed to those in need and, traditionally, is split into three parts to give one part to the hungry and the other parts to family and friends. So, Qurbani is an opportunity for able Muslims to help change the lives of the hungry and give them joy during Eid with a nutritious meal, which can be the only time all year that they eat meat.
As there are strict regulations on slaughter in the UK, this means that Muslims cannot carry out the sacrifice themselves. Instead, they need to donate to purchase an animal from a reputable charity, such as Muslim Aid, that will handle the sacrifice for you and distribute the meat to the most vulnerable communities in the world. Believers can choose animals in particular areas, and our team will carry out the sacrifice during the days of Eid ul-Adha there and quickly get the meat to the needy to help end their suffering and bring hope for a brighter future.
But why is Qurbani important, and why should you donate in time for Eid? There are numerous reasons that make the sacrifice so important for all able Muslims to make. The sacrifice has a great Islamic history tied to it, and it’s a huge part of Eid ul-Adha that helps the poor and hungry, spreading joy and hope during the festive time. It brings everyone together in worship and ensures that even those struggling to survive get to be a part of the celebrations.
To understand why the act is so essential, you need to know the importance of Qurbani in Islam and its history. The sacrifice began with the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS), who both were willing to make a huge sacrifice in devotion to Allah (SWT). Ibrahim (AS) was commanded to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (AS) once he reached the age of puberty. The message continued to come to him in his dreams as a reminder of what he must do to stay loyal to Allah (SWT) and show utter devotion to Him. So, as soon as his son came of age, Ibrahim (AS) obeyed Allah’s command and did not waver, even though it pained him to even think about making the sacrifice. Before the sacrifice, he shared the command with Ismail (AS), who knew what must be done and stayed loyal to his faith by accepting that he must be sacrificed.
“O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.” [Quran 37:102]
Both men went to Mount Arafat to carry out the sacrifice, and Ibrahim (AS) showed his unwavering commitment to Allah (SWT) by remaining loyal. As soon as he was about to sacrifice his son, Allah (SWT) interrupted and declared that this was a test of loyalty and love for Him. He wanted to see how devoted Ibrahim (AS) would be and if the Prophet would sacrifice the one thing he loved the most aside from his faith. As soon as Allah (SWT) saw that Ibrahim (AS) was truly devoted to Him, he sent down a ram to be sacrificed in place of Ismail (AS) as a reward.
This history shows Muslims just how important Qurbani is and is a chance for them to reflect the same devotion to Allah (SWT) as the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). It also reminds them that practising Taqwa (consciousness of God) should be done regularly and to put their faith and Allah (SWT) first in their lives.
Another key factor that makes the sacrifice essential to perform is the fact that it takes place during Eid ul-Adha. This celebration within Dhul Hijjah is known as the festival of sacrifice due to Qurbani being a part of the celebrations. It’s also called the Greater Eid because it’s very spiritually significant and is a time for every Muslim to get together and celebrate. The celebration lasts for four days, starting on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and carrying on for three extra days (the tashreeq days). Muslims around the world spend time with family, friends and the community, exchanging gifts, money (Eidi), eating traditional dishes and praying together to strengthen faith. Eid ul-Adha should also be spent connecting closer to Allah (SWT), reflecting on sacrifices that are made in Dhul Hijjah and helping the hungry with Qurbani meat.
The importance of Qurbani on Eid ul-Adha is that it starts the celebrations and ensures that Muslims spend their time in worship and devotion, kickstarting the festivities the right way. Traditionally, Qurbani is done on the first day of Eid, but it can be done up until the sun sets on the fourth day, helping believers to keep worship at the forefront of the celebrations. Alongside this, Qurbani on Eid ul-Adha is vital as it allows everyone, no matter their situation, to take part in the celebrations and feel the joys of Eid. It gives those facing poverty and hardship essential sustenance they need to survive, gifting them food on their tables and a proper, nutritious meal.
Another reason why Qurbani is important during Eid ul-Adha is that it marks the end of the holy Hajj pilgrimage. This is when pilgrims go to Mecca and devote themselves to Allah (SWT). They perform key acts of worship at important Islamic locations to strengthen their faith and leave the pilgrimage renewed, since it takes away their past sins. Once the Hajj is completed, Muslims make a Qurbani sacrifice to Allah (SWT) to start the Eid celebrations.
The sacrifice is also significant because it aims to help those in desperate need with healthy meals to nourish their bodies and save their lives. This makes the importance of Qurbani for the poor about their survival, because without the meat from the sacrifice, they won’t get to have a proper meal during Eid ul-Adha and will continue to face unimaginable hunger. It gives them the opportunity to finally join in the celebrations by having a meal that has meat in it, which, for many, is the only time of the year. Qurbani meat goes to those who face extreme poverty and don’t have the means to put food on their tables. It goes to those facing hunger every single day, with no way out of their dire circumstances and brings them hope for a brighter future and vital nourishment to help them survive. This means that your Qurbani donations help vulnerable communities around the world escape poverty and live healthier, happier lives, while allowing them to feel the joy of Eid. Muslim Aid recognises this sacred duty and aims to reach the most vulnerable communities and bring them some joy on the blessed day of Eid ul-Adha.
Make your Qurbani donation for 2026 with Muslim Aid to help those most in need in poverty-stricken areas and crisis zones. We handle your sacrifice in line with Islamic regulations to fulfil your duty and provide essential relief to those struggling. Our team can carry out the sacrifice in vulnerable communities quickly to ensure that every hungry believer gets a nourishing meal to celebrate Eid with.
Donate Qurbani before Eid ul-Adha and spread the joy of Eid to struggling families through vital relief to end their suffering. You can bring hope for a better life to many and save countless lives.
We are a faith-based British international charity that provides help to people who are victims of natural disasters or conflict or suffering from poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, injustice, deprivation or lack of skills and economic opportunities.
© Copyright 2026. Muslim Aid - Help Muslims Around the World in Need . All Rights Reserved.
Charity CIO No. 1176462
Serving humanity since 1985.
