Qurbani in Quran and Hadith
Qurbani Verses in Quran
In Islam, Qurbani is obligatory for all Muslims who pay Zakat.
Allah told us many verses in the Quran about the benefits and obligations of giving Qurbani.
“And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs ‘umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] – then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home].” (2:196).
“And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah ], and it was accepted by one of them but was not accepted by the other. Said [the latter], “I will surely kill you.” Said [the former], “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].” (5:27)
Qurbani Hadith
Our beloved prophet has many Hadiths about Qurbani and how important it is.
Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, he just slaughtered it for himself, and whoever slaughtered it after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims.” (Bukhari, 68/454)
Narrated Anas: “The Prophet offered as sacrifices two horned rams, black and white in color. He slaughtered them with his own hands and mentioned Allah’s Name over them and said Takbir and put his foot on their sides.” (Bukhari, Edahi:7)
Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said on the day of Nahr, “Whoever has slaughtered his sacrifice before the prayer, should repeat it (slaughter another sacrifice).” (Bukhari, 68)
Qurbani Story
When Ibrahim’s (A.S) firstborn son, Ismail (A.S), was old enough to walk around with his father and work with him, it was revealed in a dream to Ibrahim (A.S) that he must sacrifice his son. Ismail (A.S) did not question this command, just like his mother, Hajar (A.S) had not asked it when Allah commanded Ibrahim (A.S) to leave her and her baby son in the desert all those years ago.
‘He (Ismail) said, “O my father! Do as you are commanded. If Allah wills, you shall find me of the patient’.(Qur’an, 37:102).
Both father and son were prepared to sacrifice Ismail’s life, but Shaytan wanted to dissuade them.
In this narration, Ibrahim (A.S) stoned Shaytan three times; in other narrations, Shaytan appeared separately to Ibrahim, Hajar, and Ismail (A.S). Each time, he tried to convince them that Ibrahim (A.S) was about to commit a terrible crime; each time, they attested that if it was from Allah, they must accept it. Each of them stoned Shaytan. (Tabari and Hakim)
It seems impossible to us that someone could be prepared to sacrifice their beloved child, the person most dear to them in the world, especially when obstacles have been placed in their way on three separate occasions. However, the family of Ibrahim (A.S) were so forceful in their rejection of disobeying Allah that they threw stones at Shaytan. It is this stoning that we remember at Hajj.
“And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah ], and it was accepted by one of them but was not accepted by the other. Said [the latter], I will surely kill you. Said [the former], Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].” (5:27).
Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, he just slaughtered it for himself, and whoever slaughtered it after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims.” (Bukhari, 68/454).
“And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.” (2:196)
Every eligible Muslim should provide one share of Qurbani, and parents should provide a share in the name of their children.