The act of Qurbani /Udhiyahor sacrificing an animal during Eid al-Adha, holds great virtue and reward in Islam. It is a deeply symbolic and spiritual act that commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (ʿalayhi al-salām) and reflects submission to Allah’s will. Qurbani (Udhiyah) is wājib (obligatory) for certain Muslims under specific conditions during the days of Eid al-Adha (10th to 12th of Dhul-Hijjah).
For Qurbani, intention (Niyyah) is necessary, even if not spoken aloud. You should intend Qurbani as an act of worship to Allah.
🔹Who is Required to Give Qurbani (According to Hanafi Fiqh)?
A Muslim must give Qurbani if all the following conditions are met:
1.Adult: Has reached the age of maturity (i.e., has attained puberty).
2.Sane: Possesses mental capacity, sound intellect (not insane).
3. Possesses Nisab: Owns wealth equivalent to or more than the Nisab(minimum amount of wealth that makes zakat compulsory), but zakat does not have to be actually due.
•The Nisab value is roughly the equivalent of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver (or the cash/asset equivalent).
•The person does not have to give zakat for Qurbani to be wajib; it’s based on having wealth above the nisab threshold on the days of Eid, even if just for a moment.
🔹What is the Nisab for Qurbani?
The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a person must own (above their basic needs and debts) for Qurbani to become wajib (obligatory).The Nisab is traditionally set at:
•87.48 grams of gold
•612.36 grams of silver
In the Hanafi madhab, the silver value is used to determine the Nisab for Qurbani, as it sets a lower threshold, making the obligation applicable to more individuals.
💷Nisab Value in the UK (May 2025) based on Silver value is approximately between £460-£482 (based on 612.36g of silver)
One will need to check the current market rate of silver in your local currency to calculate the exact Nisab.
🔸Who is Not Obligated to give Qurbani?
•Children (pre-puberty)
•Poor people who do not meet the Nisab threshold
•Travelers (a Musafir, according to Sharia)
•Those in debt where the net assets are below the Nisab.
🔹Is it enough for one Qurbani to be given on behalf of the whole household?
•It is not enough for one Qurbani to be given on behalf of the whole household. A separate Qurbani is required for each individual who meets the conditions. According to Hanafi Fiqh, each individual is responsible for their own Qurbani if they personally meet the conditions.
Qurbani is not required on behalf of dependents (e.g., children), but one can give it on their behalf voluntarily.
✅ Examples:
•If the father and adult son both meet the criteria (own enough wealth above Nisab), then each must offer their own Qurbani.
•If a lady meets the criteria because she posses gold but her husband does not, then only the lady must offer Qurbani.
•If there are children below puberty, even if they are wealthy, Qurbani is not wajib on them, and parents are not required to give it on their behalf — though they may do so voluntarily.
🔹Can we give Qurbani on behalf of a Deceased?
Yes it is Permissible and rewardable.
•You may offer a nafl (voluntary) Qurbani on behalf of a deceased person (e.g., parents, grandparents, spouse). It is known as Sadqah.
•You should make a separate animal for them, not share yours unless it is a large animal (cow/camel).
•It is recommended to do this out of love and for the reward to reach the deceased (īṣāl al-thawāb).
📝 Example:
• You give one sheep for yourself (wājib). You give a second sheep voluntarily on behalf of your late father (nafl), or
•You get two shares in a cow- one for you and one on behalf of your late father (nafl).
Both are valid and rewarded.
•You cannot replace your own obligatory Qurbani with one for the deceased.
•If you are eligible, you must give your own Qurbani first, then give another one for a deceased person if you wish.
🔹Can we give charity instead of slaughtering an animal for Qurbani?
Qurbani is a unique ibadah (act of worship). Allah commanded us to sacrifice an animal, not simply to spend in charity. The Qur’an says:
“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice (an animal).”[Surah Al-Kawthar (108:2)]
The Prophet ﷺ never replaced Qurbani with charity. He ﷺ performed Qurbani every year in Madinah, even when he had limited wealth. He even gave extra Qurbanis on behalf of his Ummah. So Charity is not a substitute for Qurbani/ Sadaqah. If you have enough wealth, you should definitely give charity in the way of Allah, in addition to Qurbani.
🐑What Types of Animals can be given for Qurbani?
•Valid animals:
•Goat, sheep (1 year or older) — 1 animal per person
•Cow, ox, buffalo (2 years or older) — 1 animal = 7 shares (can be shared by up to 7 people)
•Camel (5 years or older) — 1 animal = 7 shares
•Animals must be healthy, free from major defects:
– Blind in one or both eyes
– Crippled or lame
– Extremely emaciated
– Missing more than a third of ear, horn, or tail.
🕒What is the Time of Qurbani/Sacrifice?
•Sacrifice must be done:
•After the Eid prayer (on 10th Dhul-Hijjah)
•Can be performed until sunset of 12th Dhul-Hijjah (3 days)
•If done before Eid salah, it is invalid and must be redone after Eid prayer.
🍖How should the Qurbani Meat be Distributed?
The meat should be divided into three parts:
1.One-third for the poor/needy
2.One-third for friends/family
3.One-third for personal use
•It is not allowed to sell any part of the animal (meat, skin, fat, etc.).
•The skin may be given in charity, or used personally (not sold).
🧥What are the Etiquette and Sunnah of Qurbani?
•Do not cut nails or hair from 1st Dhul-Hijjah until your Qurbani is done, if you plan to offer it yourself (based on Hadith – not wājib but Sunnah).
•Perform the slaughter yourself if possible.
•Say Bismillah, Allahu Akbar when slaughtering.
•Distribute the meat promptly.
❌What are the Invalid Cases relating to Qurbani/ Sacrifice?
•Sacrificing before Eid prayer.
•Sharing an animal with people not intending Uḍḥiyah (e.g., Aqeeqah or general charity).
•Giving Qurbani on behalf of others without permission.
•Defective animals (missing limbs, blind, weak, etc.)
What are Virtues of Qurbani / Udhiya/ Sacrifice?
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of sacrifice than the shedding of blood.”(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The animal sacrificed on Eid will come on the Day of Judgment with its horns, hair, and hooves. Its blood is accepted by Allah before it even falls to the ground, so offer it with a willing heart.”(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
The Prophet ﷺ strongly condemned those who intentionally skip Qurbaniwhen they are able.
“Whoever has the means to offer a sacrifice but does not do so, let him not come near our prayer place (Eid Salah).”(Ibn Majah, 3123 – Hasan)
Scholars say this reflects the seriousness of neglecting this act of worship.