Giving Qurbani (a sacrifice) is a sacred duty ordered by Allah (SWT). Every year during the holy month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims all over the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God.
What are the Qurbani rules?
Who needs to give Qurbani? When do we offer our sacrifice? Are there any other things we need to take into consideration?
Worry not! We’ve put together everything you need to know about this sacred sacrifice.
Qurbani Rule #1: Sacrifice is a sacred obligation
According to most Muslims, giving Qurbani is obligatory for every sane adult Muslim who has wealth in excess to their needs (i.e. who meet the nisab threshold).
Normally those who are eligible to pay Zakat are obliged to give Qurbani.
The Hanafi school of thought states that it is obligatory for:
- Every sane Muslim of mature age (who has reached puberty)
- Non-travelling persons
- Those who additionally own wealth which is beyond their needs, equal to (or more than) the current level of nisab (87.48 grams of gold or 612.35 grams of silver)
Qurbani Rule #2: Your sacrifice must be given on time
Islamic Relief aims to implement all Qurbanis over three days (10th to 12th Dhul Hijjah).
The time for sacrifice ends when the sun sets on the fourth day. Therefore, you can make payments right up until the end of the third day after Eid (13th of Dhul-Hijjah) before Maghrib salah. However, we advise giving your Qurbani as early as possible.
Note: There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars as to whether Qurbani can be done over three or four days. To respect this difference of opinion, Islamic Relief strives to perform Qurbani in three days. We only extend into the fourth day in localities where this is religiously accepted by the local Muslim population. – and if there is an operational need for this extra day.
We purchase the animals to be slaughtered in advance based on forecasted quotas. Hence if you give a Qurbani on any of these days, the Qurbani will be carried out in time.
Qurbani Rule #3: Offering a sacrifice comes with restrictions
For those who want to offer a sacrifice, it’s recommended that once the new moon of Dhul Hijjah appears (i.e. on the 1st of Dhul Hijjah), that he does not remove anything from his hair, nails or skin until he has offered the sacrifice.
Reap the rewards of the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, give Qurbani now.
