The Prophetic Qurbani: Reviving a Forgotten Sunnah

During the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah, honor the sacred tradition of Qurbani, also referred to as Udhiyah. Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and offer a Prophetic Qurbani.
What is the Prophetic Qurbani?
Prophet Muhammed (saw) said, “Whoever revives a Sunnah of mine that dies out after I am gone, He will indeed have a reward equivalent to that of those among the people who act upon it.” (Ibn Majah)
The Prophet Muhammed (saw) was known to be ‘more generous than the nourishing wind’ (Bukhari). One of the ways His (saw) generosity would manifest was during Eid al-Adha, when he would offer a second Qurbani and Udhiyah alongside his own.
“For the one who could not sacrifice from his Ummah, one who bore witness to the Oneness of Allah and (his) Prophethood.” (Tabarani and Ahmad).
The tradition started by Prophet Muhammad (saw) became known as the Prophetic Qurbani.
The Prophet (saw) advised his cousin and son-in-law, Ali (ra) to follow his contribution. When Hanash (ra) asked Ali (ra) why he was sacrificing two rams, Ali (ra) replied: “The messenger of Allah enjoined upon me to sacrifice on his behalf, so that is what I am doing” (Abu Dawud). This beautiful Sunnah gained popularity among the Sahaba (ra) and was continued by the early Muslims.
Why is it Recommended to Perform a Prophetic Qurbani?
While the standard Qurbani is compulsory for those who meet the wealth threshold, offering a Prophetic Qurbani is voluntary. Many Muslims perform a Prophetic Qurbani as it is Sunnah, on behalf of those who do not have the means to make a Qurbani contribution. As more meat is distributed, the reward for the donor is also multiplied.
Like all Sunnah practices, there is divine wisdom and benefit in offering an extra Qurbani. The Prophet (saw) said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Bukhari)
The extra sacrifice not only allows for more poverty-stricken families to eat nutritious meat, but it also strengthens the ties of brotherhood, encouraging Muslims to be compassionate and generous towards each other, thereby making our Ummah more united.
How is a Prophetic Qurbani Performed?
The process of performing a Prophetic Qurbani is the same as a regular Qurbani, with one key difference: your intention. Make the intention of the sacrifice on behalf of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his Ummah.
Learn more about the Qurbani process: Understanding the Significance of Eid al-Adha 2025.
Today, this beautiful act of generosity is forgotten. As followers of The Messenger of Allah (saw), it is our duty to revive His Sunnah and carry forward his legacy. The Quran explains the Prophet (saw) is the best example for mankind: “There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah (saw).” (Qur’an 33:21)
Therefore, we should take every opportunity to follow His (saw) example to reap substantial rewards.
How do I Donate a Prophetic Qurbani?
This Eid al-Adha, play your part in reviving this forgotten Sunnah.
At Muslim Hands, we process your Qurbani orders and sacrifice healthy animals after Eid al-Adha salah. Fresh meat is distributed to the most vulnerable families during the first three days of Eid al-Adha.
Benefits of Offering a Prophetic Qurbani with Muslim Hands
- Support local farmers.
- Tackle hunger, providing nourishment to those who need it most.
- Choose your Qurbani location. We facilitate Qurbani and Udhiyah in emergency zones such as Yemen and Somalia. We are also offering Qurbani services in India, Pakistan, Senegal, The Gambia, Niger, and Mali.
- Select your budget. We facilitate Qurbani to various locations for as low as $65.
We provide a 100% delivery guarantee, ensuring animals are sacrificed stun-free, in accordance with Islamic principles. Meat is distributed fresh, never frozen or tinned, and animals are treated humanely throughout the process.
Mufti Muhammad Ismail, Head of the Zakat Committee at Muslim Charities Forum (MCF) and Chairman of MH South Africa has shared his insight on The Prophetic Qurbani.
By reviving the Prophetic Qurbani, we don’t just follow a Sunnah, but we embody the Prophet’s (saw) mercy to the less fortunate. Offer your Prophetic Qurbani today.