Your Questions Answered: Qurbani and Eid Al Adha
What is Qurbani/Udhiya?
Qurbani, or Udhiya, is one of the most spiritual acts of worship performed during the days of Dhul Hijjah. Qurbani means sacrifice. Every year, during the month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world fulfill an important religious obligation and slaughter animals, including sheeps, goats, cows and camels.
Why do we celebrate Eid Al-Adha and perform Qurbani?
The festival of Eid Al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's (as) willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail (as) to prove his faith to Allah (swt). Although despondent, Ibrahim (as) remained steadfast on Allah's (swt) will. Just as he was about to sacrifice his son, Allah (swt) in His infinite wisdom saved Ismail (as) and replaced him with a sheep.
As Muslims, we celebrate Eid Al-Adha to commemorate the loyalty and devotion of Ibrahim (as) towards Allah (swt). In doing so, we sacrifice these animals.
When is Eid Al-Adha in 2024?
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah and lasts for three to four days. This year, Eid al-Adha is expected to fall on Sunday, June 16th and end the evening of Thursday, June 20th.
Is Qurbani Fardh (compulsory) for everyone?
Different schools of thought have different opinions on this, however, the general consensus is that Qurbani is considered a Sunnah practice of our Prophet (saw) who is reported to have said:
- Hanafi school of thought: Qurbani is wajib and is considered compulsory.
- Shafi school of thought: Qurbani is a sunnah mu’akadah and is highly recommended, but not compulsory.
- Maliki and Hanbali school of thought: Qurbani can be both a sunnah mu’akadah and /or compulsory.
Regardless of your school of thought, every Muslim believes in the immense virtues of offering a Qurbani as it was performed by the Prophet (saw).
Who should offer Qurbani?
Again, the answer to this depends on your school of thought.
- Hanafi: Any sane adult Muslim who is eligible to pay Zakat (possesses the Nisab value) must give a Qurbani. As such, it is quite common for there to be a few Qurbani sacrifices made from one household.
- Maliki, Hanbali and Shafi: only the person responsible for the household makes the Qurbani on behalf of the family.
How many animals do I have to sacrifice?
One Qurbani equals sacrificing a small goat or sheep, or a share in a larger animal, like a cow. Both options are of equal value and will fulfill your obligation. Typically, one Qurbani is offered for every family member, but some schools of thought deem it unnecessary to offer Qurbani on behalf of babies and children so it's best to check with your Imam/ religious scholar.
1 Sheep or Goat = 1 Qurbani
1 Cow = 7 Qurbani shares (One Qurbani share equals 1/7th of the cow)
You can also choose to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and offer an extra animal for sacrifice. This is known as a Prophetic Qurbani. The Prophet (saw) gave an additional Qurbani for needy Muslims who could not afford one.
‘The Prophet (saw) sacrificed for the one who could not sacrifice from his Ummah, one who bore witness to the Oneness of Allah and [his] Prophethood’. [Tabarani & Ahmad].
When does the Qurbani take place?
Jundab bin Sufyan (ra) reported, ’I witnessed the Prophet (saw) on the Day of Nahr (or Eid day). He (saw) said, “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before offering the Eid prayer, should slaughter another sacrifice in its place; and whoever has not slaughtered their sacrifice yet, should slaughter now “. (Bukhari)
Qurbani takes place after Eid prayers on Eid-Al-Adha. If Qurbani is performed before Eid salah, this is counted as a Sadaqah, and you will still need to perform Qurbani after the Eid prayer.
At Muslim Hands, we take your Qurbani orders up until Eid morning and sacrifice animals over the three days of Eid Al-Adha.
What should I do if I missed a Qurbani in the previous year(s)?
You can make up for any missed Qurbanis by either sacrificing an extra animal on the days of Eid or donating the market value of the animal to the poor and needy. By remembering how many years you have missed, you will know how many animals you will either need to sacrifice or donate their value of. Our teams can assist you with both options.
When should I make my Qurbani donation?
At Muslim Hands, you can take your Qurbani donations up to a month in advance. If you would like to give Qurbani in a certain location, we advise you to make your donation sooner rather than later, as quotas fill up very quickly.
What should I do if I am offering a Qurbani?
When making your donation, remember to give the names of all those you are donating on behalf of. If you are performing the Qurbani yourself, remember Almighty (saw) and glorify Him, after which you should mention the names of those who are also part of the Qurbani.
For example, one should say ‘Bismillah, Allahu Akbar. Oh Allah, this is from You and for You on behalf of so and so’.
After the sacrifice is made, one should say, ‘Oh Allah accept this from so and so’.
What is the cost breakdown for offering Qurbani with Muslim Hands?
You can make your Qurbani with Muslim Hands for as low as $65
COST BREAKDOWN
- The cost of purchasing the animal. After thorough checks, animals are bought in the location you choose and sacrificed locally.
- Expenses associated with caring for the animal, so it is of the highest standard. This includes checks by a qualified veterinarian.
- Transportation/logistical costs to bring the animal to the slaughter location.
- Labour and other expenses of packing and distributing Qurbani meat.
Can I cut my nails or hair if I’m giving Qurbani?
It is strongly encouraged that the person who offers Qurbani does not cut his hair or nails, starting from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah up until after the sacrifice.
The Prophet (saw) said, ‘When the ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah) start, and one of you intends to sacrifice, then let him not cut his hair or his nails’. (Muslim)
Can Qurbani be done for deceased family members?
It's acceptable to perform Qurbani on behalf of someone else, such as a departed relative. We can align our intention to sacrifice for a departed family member with the animal we're offering for our own family.
Can Qurbani meat be distributed to non-muslims?
It is permitted to distribute Qurbani meat to non-Muslims, including relatives, neighbors, or those in need.
It has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an: “Eat the cattle and feed the needy and poor.” (Surat al-Hajj: 28)
Where and when is Qurbani distributed?
Our teams on the ground work closely with community leaders in several locations across the globe to ensure your Qurbani meat is distributed to those most in need during the days of Eid Al-Adha.
What if I do not know which location to give my Qurbani to?
Do not worry. Give to Where Most Needed so we can allocate your Qurbani to where there is the greatest need.
If you have any further queries, please feel free to call us at 289 722 7272, and speak to one of our donor relations specialists.
