Qurbani Meat Distribution Rules

What is Qurbani?

Qurbani is an annual tradition for Muslims across the world and involves an animal sacrifice in recognition of the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) own willingness to sacrifice his son for the will of Allah (SWT). At the last moment, Allah (SWT) replaced Ibrahim’s (AS) son with a ram, saving his life and rewarding Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion. That is why Muslims give Qurbani, and in doing so, we also help impoverished families and communities receive their share.

Who Must Perform Qurbani?

Every Muslim must perform Qurbani. The only exceptions are as follows:

• Those who do not possess the Nisab value.
• Those not of sound mind.
• Those who have not yet reached and passed puberty.
• Those who are travelling and are more than the Shar’i distance from home (approximately 40-45 kilometres).

You are permitted to donate Qurbani on behalf of other people, including those who have passed away; however, you are not expected to provide Qurbani animals on behalf of your adult children, who can pay their own share.

Of those whom it is required of, Qurbani rules for cutting hair and nails stipulate that one should refrain from doing so until after the sacrifice has been made.

At What Age is Qurbani Fard?

Whether Qurbani is compulsory differs between different schools of thought; however, for the greater good of those less fortunate, Qurbani should be considered Fard for anyone who has reached the age of puberty and who possesses the Nisab value.

Who Can Receive Qurbani Meat?

Meat from Qurbani animals should be distributed equally in three parts. It should be given to the family, friends, and the poor (both Muslim and non-Muslim alike). If you perform Qurbani with a partner, the meat should be shared by weight, not by approximation. You cannot pay the butcher for the meat, fat, and by-products of the slaughtered animal. The skin can be kept for personal use, but if it is sold, the amount must be given to people experiencing poverty.

How Many Qurbani Per Family?

Every able Muslim should be able to give at least one Qurbani, which is then divided into three shares. An example of one Qurbani is a small animal such as a sheep or goat. Larger animals such as camels, cows and buffalo can count for up to seven people’s Qurbani. The Qurbani rules for a husband and wife stipulate that they can make a joint donation, but the animal must be big enough so that each person still gives their required share. It is common for households to donate a larger animal worth seven shares, but it is not mandatory.

When Must Qurbani Be Performed?

Qurbani must be performed on the 10th, 11th, or 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the time of the festival of Eid ul-Adha. Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Greater Eid, Bakra Eid and Qurbani Eid, changes in the Gregorian calendar each year. Eid ul-Adha 2023 and Qurbani preparations are anticipated to start on Wednesday, 28 June, ending on Sunday, 2 July, depending on the sighting of the moon. The time for Qurbani must be performed as close to the completion of Eid Salah as possible and not before. Any sacrifice carried out before Eid Salah is considered Sadaqah.

When Must Qurbani Animals Be Purchased?

Qurbani animals should be purchased a few days before the sacrifice. They must be properly fed and well cared for in the intervening days.

Which Animals Can Be Sacrificed?

The animals that are eligible should meet minimum requirements, such as the age of the animal for Qurbani and their condition, including:

• Sheep and goats should be at least one year in age (enough for one person’s Qurbani).
• Cows or buffalo should be at least two years in age (enough for seven people’s Qurbani).
• Camels should be at least five years of age (enough for seven people’s Qurbani).

In addition, all animals must be healthy and free of disease, including the following conditions:

• They must not be blind, one-eyed or have lost a third (or more) of their sight.
• They cannot be missing a third (or more) of their ear or tail, either through loss or since birth.
• Their horn(s) cannot be broken off from their root.
• They must not have a lame leg that is sufficiently weak that they are unable to walk on it.
• They cannot be excessively thin or lean.
• They must be able to walk themselves to the site of the slaughter.
• They cannot be toothless or missing over half their teeth.
• There is no preference between male or female Qurbani animals. Male Qurbani animals should be castrated, but this is not compulsory.

How Should Qurbani Animals Be Sacrificed?

To fulfil the rules of the Qurbani festival, slaughterers and slaughterhouses should abide by the following regulations:

• The animal should be slaughtered with a sharp knife to avoid causing undue suffering.
• The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animal.
• No animal should be slaughtered in the presence of another.

It is best to slaughter the animal yourself, but if you do not know how, you should remain present whilst someone else sacrifices the creature. It is also necessary to say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" when slaughtering the animal. Slaughtered animals are not to be skinned until completely cold.

How To Pay Qurbani?

In the UK, animal slaughter can only be carried out by recognised and registered slaughterhouses, but Muslim Aid has made it easy for you to pay your Qurbani directly to us.

You can also donate Qurbani to Need is Greatest, which ensures fresh meat is distributed to the communities facing the most hardship in areas of conflict and poverty. Our teams are on the ground in the worst affected countries, getting food parcels and Qurbani shares to isolated communities or those caught in high-risk zones.

Donate your Qurbani with Muslim Aid today and bring a family in need some joy this Eid al-Adha.