Qurbani Rulings and Animal Welfare
Who is Eligible for Qurbani
In Islam, everyone who is eligible to pay zakat is obliged to give Qurbani as well.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran:
“And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.”
“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).
Qurbani Rules in Islam
There are specific and essential rules that should be applied before sacrificial a Qurbani.
Qurabni’s Health
Their horns cannot be broken.
They must have at least half their teeth.
They cannot have lost a third or more of their ears or tail.
They cannot be blind or have lost a third or more of their sight.
They must be able to walk without limp or lameness.
They must be well-fed and raised with care, not thin or lean.
Qurabni’s Age
One year old for sheep and goats (equivalent to one person’s Qurbani share).
Two years in age for cows and buffalo (equivalent to seven people’s Qurbani share).
Five years in age for camels (equivalent to seven persons’ Qurbani share).
Before Qurbani Sacrificing
Before you sacrifice Qurbani, you should know some rules:
Do not drive the animal to the slaughterhouse in a brutal way. Calm the animal down in remembrance of Allah and treat it with kindness.
Slaughtered must be done with a sharp knife. No animal should suffer or feel the pain.
Do not sharpen the knives in front of the sacrificial animal.
No animal is to be slaughtered in front of another animal.
When the sacrifice is being made, the words “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” are said.
The animal is not to be skinned until the body is entirely cold.
Animal Welfare Advice From the Quran and Hadith
One Hadith quotes Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying:
“A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being.”.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was especially vocal in his disapproval of the cruel practices of notching and slitting of ears of animals and the practice of putting painful rings around the necks of camels. (Bukhari)
Qurbani Rules in Quran Distribution
Every eligible Muslim should provide one share of Qurbani, and parents should give a stake in the name of their children.
One small animal, such as a goat or sheep, is equivalent to one Qurbani share, while a larger animal, such as a cow or camel, is equal to seven shares and can be split between seven individuals.
Qurbani Rules for Child
Children and the mentally vulnerable are not required to give Qurbani because Qurbani is obligatory for every sane adult Muslim.
Qurbani Rules for Husband and Wife
Every able Muslim should be able to give at least one Qurbani, which is then divided into three shares. An example of one Qurbani is a small animal such as a sheep or goat.
Larger animals such as camels, cows, and buffalo can count for up to seven people’s Qurbani. The Qurbani rules for a husband and wife stipulate that they can make a joint donation, but the animal must be big enough so that each person still gives their required share.
It is common for households to donate a larger animal worth seven shares, but it is not mandatory.
Animals with visible eye defects, including blindness or the loss of (one-third of) eyesight.
Animals that are sick or have sustained severe wounds that affect their health.
Animals that are lame.
Animals are undernourished to the degree that people wouldn’t normally consider buying them.
No, Animals smaller than sheep and goats are not accepted for Qurbani as there is not enough meat to distribute..
Sacrificing on Eid-al-Adha is mandatory in Islam only for those who can afford it.
Qurbani is mandatory for every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty and who can afford it.
To sacrifice one sheep suffices for only one member of the family.
Qurbani money cannot be donated to charity or to the less privileged.
Yes, you can.
Each member of the family has to give Qurbani.