The Etiquette of Qurbani A Complete Guide

Complete Guide to Qurbani: Earn Allah's Pleasure and Help the Ummah This Eid

May 6, 2024

What is Qurbani and Why Does It Matter?

Every year during Eid ul-Adha, millions of Muslims around the world perform Qurbani. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important? Qurbani (also called Udhiyah in Arabic) means sacrificing an animal like a sheep, goat, cow, or camel during the days of Eid ul-Adha. This isn’t just about slaughtering an animal—it’s about showing complete obedience to Allah, just like Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did. When you perform Qurbani, you’re following in the footsteps of one of the greatest prophets. You’re saying to Allah: “I submit to You completely, just as Ibrahim (AS) submitted to You.” The meat from your Qurbani doesn’t just feed your family. It brings joy to poor families who rarely taste meat. It helps orphans eat a proper meal. It strengthens the bonds of the Ummah. And most importantly, it earns you massive rewards from Allah.

The Beautiful Story Behind Qurbani

To understand why we do Qurbani, we need to go back thousands of years to Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Allah tested Ibrahim (AS) with one of the hardest tests imaginable. In a dream, Allah commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS). Think about this for a moment. Ibrahim (AS) waited years for this son. He loved him deeply. But when Allah gave the command, Ibrahim (AS) didn’t hesitate. He didn’t argue. He didn’t make excuses. He prepared to obey. And young Ismail (AS)? When his father told him about the dream, this brave boy said: “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.” Father and son, both ready to submit completely to Allah’s will. But just as Ibrahim (AS) was about to sacrifice his son, Allah stopped him and sent down a ram to be sacrificed instead. Allah didn’t actually want Ismail’s life—He wanted to see Ibrahim’s complete submission. This is what Qurbani reminds us every year: True faith means being ready to give up even what we love most for Allah’s sake.

Is Qurbani Required for Every Muslim?

This is one of the most common questions people ask. The answer: If you have enough money, yes, Qurbani is required (Wajib according to most scholars). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said very clearly: “Whoever can afford it but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place.” That’s a serious warning. It shows how important Qurbani is. Allah also says in the Quran: “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.” But what does “can afford it” mean? If you have enough wealth to cover your basic needs (food, shelter, clothes) and you have extra money left over, then you should perform Qurbani. If you’re struggling financially and barely making ends meet, then you’re not required to do Qurbani. Allah doesn’t burden any soul beyond its capacity. Instead, you can give sadaqah or help others in different ways. For those who can afford it, Qurbani isn’t optional—it’s an obligation that comes with beautiful rewards.

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

Which Animals Can You Sacrifice?

You can’t just sacrifice any animal. Islam has specific rules about this.
The animals allowed for Qurbani are:

Sheep and Goats (small animals)
Cows and Buffalo (medium animals)
Camels (large animals)

Allah mentions this in the Quran: “Pronounce the Name of Allah on appointed days over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them.”
These animals are halal, pure, and acceptable for sacrifice. You cannot sacrifice chickens, ducks, or other birds for Qurbani. It must be one of the animals listed above.
How Old Should the Animal Be?
The animal you sacrifice must be old enough. This ensures the meat is good quality and the animal has lived a proper life.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Sacrifice only a grown-up animal, unless it is difficult for you, in which case sacrifice a ram.”
Here are the minimum ages:

Sheep/Goats: At least 1 year old
Cows/Buffalo: At least 2 years old
Camels: At least 5 years old

Some scholars say a sheep can be 6 months old if it’s large and healthy, but 1 year is safer and better.
The Animal Must Be Healthy
This is very important: your Qurbani animal cannot have any major defects or illnesses.
The Prophet ﷺ warned us: “There are four animals that will not be accepted as sacrifices: The one-eyed animal that is clearly blind in one eye; the sick animal that is obviously sick; the lame animal with an obvious limp; and the emaciated animal with no marrow in its bones.”
Check your animal carefully:

✓ Both eyes should be healthy and can see properly
✓ All four legs should work—no broken legs or bad limps
✓ The animal should be healthy, not skinny or sick
✓ No missing ears, horns broken off, or other major injuries

Minor things like a small cut or slightly damaged horn are okay. But major defects make your Qurbani invalid.
Why these rules? Because you’re offering this sacrifice to Allah. Would you give Allah something defective or low-quality? Of course not. Give the best you can afford.

When Should You Perform Qurbani?

Timing is crucial. If you sacrifice at the wrong time, your Qurbani doesn’t count.
The correct time for Qurbani:

Starts: After the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah
Ends: Before sunset on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the last day of Tashreeq)

This gives you four days total: the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th.
The Prophet ﷺ made this very clear: “Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, he just slaughtered it for himself. But whoever slaughtered it after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims.”
So if you sacrifice before Eid prayer, even if it’s on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, it doesn’t count as Qurbani. It’s just regular meat.
Wait until after the Eid prayer finishes, then you can perform your Qurbani.
The best day is the first day (10th of Dhul Hijjah), right after Eid prayer. But if you need more time, you have three more days.

Important Rules If You're Performing Qurbani

If you plan to do Qurbani this year, follow these important etiquettes:
1. Stop Cutting Hair and Nails
Once the month of Dhul Hijjah begins (the 1st day), stop cutting your hair and trimming your nails until after you complete your Qurbani.
This is similar to what Hajj pilgrims do during ihram. It shows you’re in a state of spiritual preparation.
Some people forget this rule, but it’s important to follow it. You can cut your hair and nails again after your Qurbani is done.
2. Make Your Intention Clear
Before the sacrifice, make your intention (niyyah) clear in your heart. Say to yourself: “I am doing this Qurbani for the sake of Allah alone.”
Don’t do it to show off. Don’t do it because everyone else is doing it. Do it purely to please Allah and follow the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS).
3. You Can Sacrifice Yourself or Appoint Someone
If you know how to slaughter the animal properly and Islamically, you can do it yourself. Many people prefer this because it’s more personal.
But if you don’t know how or feel uncomfortable doing it, you can appoint someone else—a professional butcher or a trusted Muslim—to do it on your behalf.
Just make sure they know it’s your Qurbani and they should make the intention for you.
4. Be Present If Possible
If someone else is doing the slaughter for you, try to be present. Watch the sacrifice being done. This connects you emotionally to the act of worship and reminds you of Ibrahim’s (AS) story.
But if you can’t be there (maybe you’re donating through an organization that does it in another country), that’s also acceptable.

How to Slaughter the Animal Properly

The slaughter itself must be done according to Islamic rules. This ensures the animal doesn’t suffer unnecessarily and the meat is halal.
Use a Very Sharp Knife
The knife must be extremely sharp. A dull knife causes the animal to suffer more, which is forbidden in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah has prescribed excellence in everything. So when you kill, kill well, and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let one of you sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal.”
Sharpen your knife before the day of Qurbani. Make sure it can cut cleanly and quickly.
Don’t Sharpen the Knife in Front of the Animal
This is very important for the animal’s comfort. Don’t let the animal see you sharpening the knife. This creates fear and stress.
Prepare everything before you bring the animal to the slaughter area.
Don’t Slaughter One Animal in Front of Another
If you’re sacrificing multiple animals, don’t let one animal watch another being slaughtered. This is about showing mercy and reducing fear.
Take each animal to a separate area where it cannot see or hear what’s happening to others.
Say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar”
Right before making the cut, you must say: “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest).
This reminds you that you’re doing this act for Allah alone, not for any other reason.
If you forget to say this, according to most scholars, the meat becomes haram (not permissible to eat).
Make a Quick, Clean Cut
Cut the throat swiftly in one smooth motion, cutting through:

The windpipe (trachea)
The food pipe (esophagus)
The two jugular veins

This method causes the animal to lose consciousness almost immediately and die quickly with minimal suffering.

Understanding Qurbani Shares

Not everyone needs to sacrifice a whole animal by themselves. Islam made it easy by allowing shares.
Small Animals = 1 Share
One sheep or one goat = 1 complete Qurbani share for 1 person.
So if you sacrifice one sheep, that counts as your Qurbani. You cannot share a sheep or goat with another person.
Large Animals = 7 Shares
One cow, buffalo, or camel = 7 Qurbani shares.
This means up to 7 people can share one large animal, and each person gets credit for one complete Qurbani.
The Prophet ﷺ did this during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Jabir (RA) narrated: “We sacrificed a camel for every seven people along with Allah’s Messenger, and also a cow for seven.”
This is especially helpful for families or communities. Seven family members can pool their money together, buy one cow, and everyone’s Qurbani obligation is fulfilled.
How Many Qurbani Per Family?
This confuses many people, so let’s make it clear:
Every financially capable adult Muslim must perform one Qurbani. This includes:

The head of the household (husband/father)
The wife (if she has her own money)
Adult children who are working and financially independent

Parents can also perform Qurbani on behalf of their young children, but this is optional, not required.
Example: A family has a father, mother, and three children (ages 8, 12, and 20). The 20-year-old works and has income.

Required Qurbani: Father (1), Mother if she has her own wealth (1), 20-year-old son (1) = 2-3 Qurbani total
Optional: Qurbani for the 8 and 12-year-old children

How to Distribute the Meat

You can’t just keep all the Qurbani meat for yourself. There are rules about distribution.
The traditional way is to divide the meat into three equal parts:
1. One-third for your family – You eat this portion. Yes, you’re allowed to enjoy the meat from your own Qurbani. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged people to eat from their sacrifice.
2. One-third for relatives, friends, and neighbors – Share with people around you, whether they’re Muslim or non-Muslim, rich or poor. This strengthens community bonds.
3. One-third for the poor and needy – This is the most important part. Give this portion to people who cannot afford meat regularly: orphans, widows, refugees, poor families, the elderly who have no income.
However, many scholars say you can give more to the poor if you want. Some people give two-thirds or even all of it to those in need, keeping only a small portion for their family to taste.
The key point: Don’t keep everything for yourself. The spirit of Qurbani is sharing and helping others.
Important: Don’t Pay the Butcher with Qurbani Meat
If you hire someone to slaughter and butcher your animal, you must pay them with money—not with meat, skin, or any part of the Qurbani animal.
The Prophet ﷺ made this clear. All parts of the Qurbani animal (meat, skin, bones, organs) must be given away or used by you. They cannot be sold or given as payment.
Pay the butcher separately with cash.

Who Receives Your Qurbani Meat?

When deciding who gets the poor and needy portion of your Qurbani, prioritize:
1. Struggling Neighbors
Look around your own neighborhood first. Is there a widow struggling to feed her children? An elderly person with no family support? A refugee family that just arrived? A disabled person who cannot work?
Start with those closest to you. The Prophet ﷺ said the neighbor has rights over you.
2. Distant Relatives in Need
Do you have cousins, uncles, or other relatives in another city who are going through financial hardship? Send them meat if possible, or perform Qurbani through an organization that operates in their area.
3. Rohingya Refugees and People in Crisis Zones
Right now, millions of Muslims worldwide are living in poverty and crisis:

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh camps
Syrian refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan
Palestinian families under occupation
Yemeni children facing famine
Poor families in Somalia, Pakistan, and other countries

These people rarely—if ever—taste meat. For many children, Eid ul-Adha might be the only day all year they eat proper meat.
Organizations like Basmah and others collect Qurbani donations and distribute the meat to these communities. Your one Qurbani could feed an entire refugee family for days.
4. Local Orphanages and Shelters
Check if there are orphanages, homeless shelters, or community kitchens in your area. They would greatly appreciate fresh Qurbani meat to feed those under their care.

Can You Do Qurbani in Another Country?

Yes, absolutely! This is actually very common and often more beneficial.
Many Muslims living in wealthy countries perform their Qurbani in poor countries where:

Meat is more affordable (so your money helps more people)
There are more people in desperate need
Communities have organized distribution systems
Your sacrifice makes a bigger impact

For example:

$120 might buy a small sheep in America
That same $120 could buy a large goat in Bangladesh and feed 10 families

Organizations like Basmah, Islamic Relief, and others have systems to:

Buy healthy animals that meet all Islamic requirements
Slaughter them properly according to Shariah
Distribute the meat to verified poor and needy families
Send you confirmation that your Qurbani was completed

This is completely permissible. The intention is in your heart, and the sacrifice is done on your behalf.

What Makes a Qurbani Invalid?

Be careful to avoid these mistakes that would make your Qurbani not count:
Sacrificing before Eid prayer – Wait until after the prayer finishes
Sacrificing after the 13th of Dhul Hijjah – You only have four days (10th-13th)
Using an animal that’s too young – Check the minimum age requirements
Using a sick or defective animal – The animal must be healthy
Forgetting to say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” – This is required
Selling any part of the Qurbani – You cannot sell the meat, skin, or anything else
Not making proper intention – Your niyyah must be for Allah alone
Cutting hair or nails during Dhul Hijjah before sacrifice – Stop from the 1st day until after your Qurbani
If you make any of these mistakes, your Qurbani might not be accepted. So be careful and follow all the rules.

The Deeper Meaning: It's Not About the Meat

Allah tells us something beautiful in the Quran:
“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but it is your taqwa (piety/consciousness of Allah) that reaches Him.”
Read that again slowly.
Allah doesn’t need your sheep. He doesn’t need your cow. He doesn’t need the meat or the blood.
What reaches Allah? Your taqwa. Your sincerity. Your intention. Your willingness to submit to His command just like Ibrahim (AS) did.
You could sacrifice the most expensive camel in the world, but if you’re doing it to show off or for cultural reasons only, it means nothing to Allah.
Or you could sacrifice a simple goat with complete sincerity, love for Allah, and genuine desire to help the poor—and that sacrifice would be precious in Allah’s sight.
Qurbani is about:

Submission – Following Allah’s command without question
Gratitude – Thanking Allah for the blessings He gave you
Sacrifice – Giving up your wealth for His sake
Compassion – Feeding those who are hungry
Unity – Strengthening the bonds of the Ummah
Remembrance – Keeping alive the legacy of Ibrahim (AS)

When you perform Qurbani with the right intention, you’re not just slaughtering an animal. You’re declaring: “Ya Allah, I submit to You. I’m grateful to You. I’m willing to sacrifice for You. And I care about Your creation.”

Your Qurbani Can Change Lives This Eid

Imagine this: A Rohingya refugee family in Bangladesh. They’ve been living in a camp for years. The father has no job. The mother is sick. Five children haven’t had proper meat in months. On Eid day, your Qurbani meat reaches them. The children’s faces light up. The mother cooks a real meal. The family sits together and eats properly for the first time in so long. They make dua for you—the unknown brother or sister who made their Eid special. That dua reaches Allah. Your reward is written down. The joy you brought is recorded. The hunger you relieved is noted. This is the power of Qurbani when done with the right intention and given to those who truly need it.

Take Action Now: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

Eid ul-Adha is coming. The days of Dhul Hijjah are approaching.
Don’t leave your Qurbani to the last minute. Start planning now:
If you’re doing Qurbani locally:

Find a reliable supplier or farm with healthy animals
Check the animal meets all Islamic requirements
Book your animal in advance (prices go up closer to Eid)
Arrange for slaughter after Eid prayer
Prepare bags or containers for meat distribution
Make a list of poor families who will receive meat

If you’re donating through an organization:

Research trustworthy Islamic charities (Basmah, Islamic Relief, etc.)
Choose which country or community you want to help
Make your donation early so they can prepare
Request confirmation when your Qurbani is completed

Don’t forget:

Stop cutting hair and nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah
Make sincere intention for the sake of Allah
Fast the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah if you can
Give extra sadaqah during these blessed days
Make lots of dua for yourself, your family, and the Ummah

The Ummah is Waiting for Your Help

Right now, as you read these words, Muslim families around the world are struggling:
😢 A mother in Syria worrying if her children will eat tomorrow
😢 An orphan in Palestine who hasn’t tasted meat in a year
😢 Rohingya refugees living in cramped camps with no hope
😢 Elderly people in Pakistan with no one to care for them
😢 Children in Yemen facing famine and war
Your Qurbani can bring them joy. Your sacrifice can feed them. Your submission to Allah can change their Eid.
They are your brothers and sisters. They are part of the Ummah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.”
When one part of the Ummah suffers, we all should feel it. Your Qurbani is one way to ease their suffering.

May Allah Accept Your Qurbani

As Eid ul-Adha approaches, remember:
Qurbani isn’t just a tradition—it’s an act of complete submission to Allah
It connects you to the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)
It feeds the poor and brings joy to the Ummah
It earns you massive rewards when done correctly and sincerely
It strengthens your taqwa and gratitude to Allah
Follow all the rules carefully:

Choose a healthy, properly-aged animal
Sacrifice at the correct time (after Eid prayer, before sunset on the 13th)
Make your intention purely for Allah
Distribute the meat correctly (don’t keep it all)
Remember the poor and needy in your community

Most importantly, do it with love for Allah, not just as a cultural habit.
When you lay your hand on that animal before sacrifice, remember Ibrahim (AS) and his complete submission. When you say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar,” mean it with your whole heart. When you distribute the meat, remember that you’re feeding Allah’s creation.
May Allah accept your Qurbani, forgive your sins, elevate your status, and grant you Jannatul Firdaus.
May He make this Eid a source of joy for you and for the entire Ummah.
May He bless the meat of your sacrifice with barakah so it benefits everyone who eats it.
And may He count you among those who follow the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS) with sincerity and excellence.
Ameen, Ya Rabbal Alameen.

Ready to perform your Qurbani and help the Ummah?
Donate your Qurbani through trusted organizations like Basmah that ensure: ✓ Animals meet all Islamic requirements
✓ Proper slaughter according to Shariah
✓ Distribution to verified poor and needy families
✓ Rohingya refugees and struggling families in Bangladesh receive your sacrifice
Don’t delay. The blessed days are coming. Make your intention. Perform your Qurbani. Change lives this Eid.
The poor are waiting. Jannah is calling. Will you answer?