Benefits of Qurbani in Islam : Significance of qurbani in Islam

June 1, 2025

You know that awesome feeling when Eid al-Adha is coming? Everyone’s excited, there’s a special kind of happiness in the air. It’s a time for prayers, family, yummy food, and something really important called Qurbani. Lots of people know Qurbani means sacrificing an animal, like a goat, sheep, cow, or even a camel. But guess what? It’s SO much more than just an old tradition. Qurbani is like a secret key that unlocks tons of good things – for you, for your family, for people who need help, and even for your connection with God (Allah). This special act reminds us of a super brave and faithful prophet named Ibrahim (you might know him as Abraham). It’s not just about remembering him, though. Doing Qurbani is a way to show we’re thankful, to share with others, and to feel closer to God. Let’s dive in and find out all the amazing reasons why Qurbani is such a big deal in Islam!

What God Really Cares About: Your Good Heart!

First things first, let’s get to the heart of Qurbani. What does God really look for when we do this? Is it about how big or expensive the animal is? Not exactly. The Qur’an, which is the holy book for Muslims, tells us something super important: “It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, 22:37). Wow! Think about that. The actual meat or blood of the animal doesn’t travel up to God. So, what does? Your “piety.” That’s a big word, but it means simple things:

Loving God: Really feeling in your heart that you want to please Him.
Trying to be good: Doing your best to follow His guidance.
Being sincere: Meaning it when you do something for God, not just doing it for show.
Thinking about God: Remembering Him and wanting to be close to Him.

So, Qurbani is like a test of your heart. God sees your good intentions and your effort to please Him. That’s what matters most! It’s like when you make a drawing for your parents. They don’t just look at how perfect the drawing is; they love it because YOU made it with love. Qurbani is kind of like that for Allah.

I’m on the advisory board of this great organization, Basmah. And I’m saying to you, from a man on the inside, they do a lot of incredible work. I’m amazed every day by more and more work; they don’t stop, they never stop.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Honorary advisor of BASMAH

God’s Favorite Thing During Eid: Why Qurbani is So Special

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who is the most important prophet in Islam, told us how much Allah loves Qurbani. He said, “There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals.” That means doing Qurbani is one of the BEST things a Muslim can do during these special Eid days!
And get this, the story gets even cooler. The Prophet also said: “The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed).” Imagine the Day of Judgment, when all our good and bad deeds are checked. The animal you offered for Qurbani will actually show up! It will be there, with everything, standing as proof of your good deed. It’s like your good deed becomes a real, physical thing that helps you out. How amazing is that?
The Prophet also mentioned that for your Qurbani to be really accepted and special, it’s good if you’ve made sure you’re clean for prayer (that’s called wudu or ablution) and you’re doing your regular prayers properly. This shows that Qurbani isn’t just a one-off thing; it fits into being a good Muslim in your everyday life. It’s like making sure the ground is good and ready before you plant a beautiful flower (your Qurbani).

The Magic Words: Why We Say "Bismillah Allahu Akbar"

Qurbani isn’t just any act; it’s a special kind of worship, called ibadah. It’s connected to Hajj (the big pilgrimage to Makkah that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam) and the happy festival of Eid al-Adha. To make this act of sacrifice truly for God, we say some very important words: ‘Bismillah Allahu Akbar’. This means “In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest.”
These words are like a golden key. Here’s why they’re so important:

What they mean: When we say them, we’re saying, “Allah, I’m doing this for You. You are the greatest, and I’m following your command.” It makes the whole act holy and dedicated to God.
Being focused and respectful: You should say these words right before the animal is sacrificed. And you shouldn’t talk about other things or get distracted between saying the words and doing the sacrifice. This shows you’re serious and really thinking about God. If you have many animals to sacrifice, one after the other, you need to say “Bismillah Allahu Akbar” for each one. This isn’t just repeating words; it’s like renewing your pure intention for each and every sacrifice.

These special steps make sure that Qurbani is done with respect and a pure heart, making it a true act of worship.

A Giant "Thank You" Note to God!

Think about all the amazing things Allah has given us. He gave us life! He gives us food and water, families that love us, sunshine, our ability to think and learn, and the biggest gift of all – faith and guidance. That’s a LOT to be thankful for, right? Qurbani is one of the best ways we can say a big, heartfelt “THANK YOU!” to Allah for all His blessings.
It doesn’t matter if you offer a small animal like a goat, or a share in a bigger animal like a cow or camel. Doing Qurbani is your way of showing you’re grateful.
Allah talks about this in the Qur’an. He says (in a simple way): “Think about the camels and cattle you offer for sacrifice. We made this a special religious act for you, and there’s a lot of good in it for you. So, say Allah’s name over them when you’re ready to sacrifice them. When they are sacrificed, you can eat some of the meat, and you should also feed the poor people who need it, whether they ask you for it or they are too shy to ask. We’ve given you these animals so you can all thank Allah. Remember, their actual meat and blood don’t go to Allah. What reaches Him is your good heart and your devotion – your wish to do good because you respect and love Allah. That’s why He has given you these animals, so you can praise Allah, your Creator, for guiding you to the right path. So, give happy news to people who always try to do good!” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, 22:36-37).
Let’s break down these beautiful words:

“Lots of good for you”: Qurbani has so many benefits! It’s good for your soul, you get to eat some tasty meat, and you get to share it, which makes others happy.
“Say Allah’s name over them”: This reminds us again about “Bismillah Allahu Akbar” – always remember who this sacrifice is for.
“Eat some… and feed…”: This is a lovely balance. We can enjoy Allah’s gifts ourselves, but it’s super important to share with those who don’t have much.
“Animals…so you can all give thanks”: Even the fact that we can use animals for food and Qurbani is a gift from Allah. Qurbani is the best way to say “Thanks for this gift!”
“Your devotion…that reaches Him”: Again, the main point! It’s your good heart, your taqwa (trying to please Allah), that Allah notices and loves.
“Praise Allah…for guiding you”: The biggest reason to praise Allah is that He showed us the right way to live. Qurbani is a happy way to say “Thank you for guiding me!”

Imagine your thankfulness is like a little spring of water inside you. When you do Qurbani, it’s like that spring bubbles up and overflows, sharing its fresh, clean water (your blessings) with everyone around, while always remembering that Allah is the source of that spring.

Spreading Kindness: How Qurbani Makes Our Community Stronger

One of the most beautiful things about Qurbani is how it helps people and brings everyone closer. When you donate Qurbani meat, you’re like a superhero of kindness, especially for people who are poor or needy. Eid al-Adha becomes a much happier time for them because of you.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “The animal offerings are among the special things God has set for your own good. Say God’s name on them when they are ready. Once they are sacrificed, you should eat from them and also feed the poor and those who need help. This is why We have made these animals available to you, so you can show how thankful you are.” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, 22:36).
The instruction to “feed the poor and the needy” is a really big deal. Think about what it does:

Good Food for Health: Many poor families rarely get to eat meat, which is important for staying healthy. Qurbani gives them this special treat.
Happiness and Joy: Getting this gift of meat, especially during Eid, makes people feel happy, cared for, and included in the celebration. Imagine a child’s big smile when their family receives Qurbani meat – it’s priceless!
Bringing People Together: Qurbani helps connect people who have more with people who have less. It teaches us to care about our neighbors and our community. It’s like building bridges of kindness.
Stronger Friendships: Sharing Qurbani meat makes everyone feel like part of one big Muslim family, looking out for each other. It’s like all the different colored threads in a beautiful carpet; every act of giving makes the whole carpet stronger and more beautiful.

When you do Qurbani, you’re not just following a rule. You’re actually helping to spread Allah’s kindness. You’re making sure that His blessings reach people who really need them. You’re helping to put food on someone’s table and a smile on their face. That’s a powerful thing!

A Big Group Hug: Celebrating Eid with Muslims Everywhere!

Qurbani is amazing because it connects Muslims all over the world. It doesn’t matter what country you’re in, what language you speak, or what color your skin is. During Eid al-Adha, millions and millions of Muslims are all doing this same special act of worship. It creates a feeling of being part of one giant, global family.

Same Action, Same Feeling: Everyone is doing Qurbani with the same intention – to please Allah and share with others. This shared experience makes everyone feel connected.
Worldwide Joy: The happiness of Qurbani – the sharing of meat, the family gatherings, the prayers – is felt all around the globe. It’s like a wave of joy that washes over the entire Muslim world.
Helping Across Miles: These days, you can even do your Qurbani through charities that will share the meat with poor people in other countries. Maybe your Qurbani in your city helps a family far, far away in a village in Africa or Asia. This shows how Muslims care for each other, no matter how far apart they are.

By doing Qurbani, you’re taking part in a global celebration of faith and kindness. You’re showing that you belong to this amazing worldwide family of Muslims

Walking in Ibrahim’s Shoes: Remembering Amazing Faith

The biggest reason we do Qurbani is to remember Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). His story is incredible! He was asked by Allah to sacrifice his dearly loved son, Ismail (peace be upon him). Can you imagine how hard that was? But Ibrahim was ready to do it because his love and trust in Allah were so strong. (Don’t worry, Allah didn’t actually let him sacrifice his son; He sent a ram to be sacrificed instead. It was a test of faith, and Ibrahim passed!)
When we do Qurbani, we remember Ibrahim’s amazing example. We try to show that we also want to be that obedient and faithful to Allah. It’s like saying, “Dear Allah, Ibrahim was ready to give what he loved most. I’m offering this sacrifice to show I also want to put You first in my life.”

A Reward for Every Single Hair – Wow!

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) told us something incredible about the reward for Qurbani. He said: “It is the Sunnah (way) of your father Ibrahim. For every hair of the Qurbani animal, you get a reward from Allah.” (Reported by Tirmidhi).
Just think about that! Not just a reward for the whole animal, but a separate reward for every single hair on that animal! How many hairs do you think are on a sheep? Or a goat? Or a big cow or camel? Millions, maybe billions! That means the reward for doing Qurbani is HUGE, almost too big to count! This should make us feel so happy and eager to do Qurbani, knowing how much Allah appreciates it.

Super Cool Lessons Qurbani Teaches Us!

Qurbani is like a great teacher. It teaches us lots of important things that help us become better people and better Muslims:

Listen to God: It teaches us to obey Allah’s commands, trusting that He knows what’s best for us.
Share What You Have: It teaches us to be generous and not be too attached to our money or things.
Help Others: It shows us how important it is to care for people who are poor or needy.
Be Thankful: It’s a big reminder to always say “thank you” to Allah for all His gifts.
We’re All a Team: Qurbani shows us that Muslims are one big community, and we should support each other.

These aren’t just ideas; Qurbani helps us practice these good things in real life, every year.

Is Qurbani Something We Have To Do?

This is an important question. For Muslims who are adults, who are sensible, and who have enough money (more than what they need for their basic needs, a bit like having enough to pay Zakat), then yes, Qurbani is considered Wajib or obligatory. This is what the Hanafi school of Islamic law says, and many Muslims follow this. Other schools of thought say it’s a very, very strongly recommended Sunnah (something the Prophet always did and encouraged).
The main point is that it’s a very important act of worship. It’s not meant to be a burden if someone truly cannot afford it. Allah knows what’s in our hearts and what we are capable of. But for those who can do it, it’s a wonderful opportunity to get huge rewards, help others, and grow closer to Allah.

Qurbani: It’s More Than a Ritual, It’s a Gift of Love!

So, you see, Qurbani is not just about sacrificing an animal once a year. It’s a beautiful package filled with spiritual goodness, ways to help our community, and personal lessons that make us better. It connects us to God, to our history, and to Muslims all over the world.
When we say “Bismillah Allahu Akbar” and offer our sacrifice, we’re doing something that makes our hearts cleaner, helps feed hungry people, and brings smiles to faces near and far.
As Eid al-Adha comes around, let’s think about Qurbani with excitement and a sincere heart. It’s our chance to follow in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim, to show the kindness of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and to feel the amazing joy of giving for Allah’s sake. Remember, the best part of Qurbani is the love and sincerity you put into it!