Qurbani Rules: Who Must Do It, When, and How

Qurbani is one of those acts of worship that draws together intention, sacrifice, and generosity into a single moment. You are slaughtering an animal in the name of Allah, following the Sunnah of Ibrahim ﷺ, during the holiest days of the Islamic calendar.

But Qurbani has rules — specific conditions for who must perform it, which animals qualify, when it can be done, and how the meat must be distributed. Getting these right is how you turn the act into fully valid worship.

The Islamic Foundation of Qurbani

Allah commands the believers:

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ

Fa salli li-rabbika wanhar

"So pray to your Lord and sacrifice."

— (Surah Al-Kawthar, 108:2)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ سَعَةٌ وَلَمْ يُضَحِّ فَلَا يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلَّانَا

Man kana lahu saatun walam yudahhi fala yaqrabanna musallana

"Whoever has the means and does not sacrifice, let him not come near our place of prayer."

— (Ibn Majah 3123)

This narration gives a sense of how seriously the Prophet treated Qurbani. The scholars who classify it as wajib cite this hadith. Even those who call it sunnah muakkadah treat abandoning it without reason as a serious deficiency.

Who Is Required to Perform Qurbani

The Hanafi Position (Wajib)

Qurbani is obligatory on every:

• Sane, adult Muslim (past puberty)
• Who possesses nisab — the minimum wealth threshold (currently the equivalent of approximately 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver in accessible, non-essential assets) on the days of Eid
• Who is not a traveler (resident, not traveling more than 77km from home)

The Majority Position (Sunnah Muakkadah)

The Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools consider Qurbani a confirmed Sunnah — one animal sufficient per household, not per individual. Abandoning it entirely without reason is disliked to the point of warning.

Practical guidance: If you have the means, perform Qurbani. The scholarly difference in classification should not become your reason to skip it.

Valid Animals for Qurbani

Animal Types and Sharing

• Sheep and Goat: One animal per person (or household, per majority view). Cannot be shared.
• Cow and Buffalo: One animal can be shared among up to 7 people, each with their own valid intention.
• Camel: One animal can be shared among up to 7 people.

Minimum Age Requirements

Animals below this age are not valid for Qurbani.

Defects That Disqualify an Animal

The Prophet ﷺ specified four disqualifying defects: a one-eyed animal, a clearly sick animal, a clearly lame animal, and an animal so thin its bones have no marrow. (Tirmidhi 1497)

Serious injuries, permanent blindness in both eyes, or severe illness also disqualify the animal. Minor issues (a small wound, loss of horn) generally do not invalidate the Qurbani.

When to Slaughter

Qurbani becomes valid after the Eid al-Adha prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. It continues through:

• 10th of Dhul Hijjah (after Eid prayer) — most preferable
• 11th of Dhul Hijjah
• 12th of Dhul Hijjah
• 13th of Dhul Hijjah (last day, Hanafi and Hanbali allow; Maliki and Shafi'i end on 12th)

You cannot sacrifice before the Eid prayer. If you do, it counts as regular sadaqah, not Qurbani.

Plan Your Qurbani and Dhul Hijjah Worship Together

DeenBack helps you track the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, build daily dhikr habits, and approach Eid al-Adha with intention — so Qurbani is part of a complete act of worship, not just a transaction.

Free download. Premium features available in-app.

How to Distribute Qurbani Meat

The recommended distribution:

• One-third: For yourself and immediate family
• One-third: For relatives, friends, and neighbors
• One-third: For the poor and needy

Scholars say giving more to the poor is praiseworthy. You may give all of it away if you choose. The only condition is that you do not sell the meat — Qurbani meat cannot be sold or given as payment to the butcher (you can give them meat as a gift separately from their wages).

The meat can be distributed fresh, cooked, or preserved. It can be given internationally — which is the basis for legitimate Qurbani donation organizations.

What to Do If You Are Performing Qurbani

The Prophet said that when the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah begin, the person intending to sacrifice should not cut their hair or nails until after the sacrifice. This is a Sunnah, not a condition of Qurbani's validity.

The virtues of the first 10 days are immense — read the virtues of dhul hijjah and first 10 days of dhul hijjah guides to maximize this period alongside your Qurbani.

When slaughtering, face the animal toward the qiblah and say:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا مِنكَ وَلَكَ

Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, Allahumma hadha minka wa lak

"In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You."

Common Questions

Can I donate money for Qurbani instead of doing it myself? Yes, and this is a common practice today. Many Islamic charities accept Qurbani donations and perform the slaughter on your behalf in countries where meat is most needed. This is valid and carries full reward. Ensure you donate through a reputable organization.

What if I cannot afford Qurbani? If you genuinely do not possess nisab, Qurbani is not required. Do not go into debt for it. Make dua during Eid, participate in the general spirit of the day, and give whatever sadaqah you can. The dua for eid al adha covers the supplications of this blessed day.

Can women perform Qurbani themselves? Yes. Women can be the owner of a Qurbani animal and can participate in the slaughter if they are able. There is no prohibition.

Is the intention made verbally or in the heart? The intention (niyyah) is in the heart. Verbally stating "I intend to make Qurbani for Allah's sake" is permissible and recommended to reinforce the intention.

Beyond the Sacrifice

Qurbani is not just a meat distribution event. It is the reenactment of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice what was most precious to him — his son — for the sake of Allah. The animal is the symbol of what the nafs clings to. When you sacrifice it, you are saying: what I have belongs to Allah first.

The what is eid al adha article covers the full spiritual significance of this day. Make Qurbani a day of consciousness, not just logistics.

Make Eid al-Adha a Day of Complete Worship

DeenBack helps you start the Dhul Hijjah season with daily dhikr, track your Qurbani intention, and end Eid with gratitude — building the habit of turning every sacred occasion into a spiritual turning point.

Free download. Premium features available in-app.