Eid Ul Adha Meat Distribution: Qurbani is an obligation that we are commanded to perform by Allah (SWT). Therefore, it is vital that we follow the Qurbani meat distribution rules and regulations. Below is a brief guide to the rules and recommendations of Qurbani;
- Qurbani must be given on 10th, 11th and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah
- Sacrifices can only be made after the Eid prayer (sacrifices made before do not count as Qurbani)
- Any able Muslim should give Qurbani, especially those that have reached the age of puberty and hold wealth above the threshold of 52.5 tolas of silver
- Animals for sacrifice must meet minimum age and health requirements
- Qurbani sacrifices must be given in three shares – one for you, one for family or friends and one for an impoverished family
We have also provided further detailed answers to some of the frequently asked questions about how Qurbani works.
What is Qurbani?
Qurbani is an annual tradition for Muslims across the world and involves an animal sacrifice in recognition of the Prophet Ibrahim’s own willingness to sacrifice his son for the will of Allah (SWT). At the last moment, Allah (SWT) replaced Ibrahim’s son with a ram, saving his life and rewarding Ibrahim’s devotion. That is why Muslims pay Qurbani and in doing so, we also help impoverished families and communities receive their share.
Who Must Perform Qurbani?
Every Muslim must perform Qurbani. The only exceptions are as follows:
- Those who do not possess 52.5 tolas of silver, or the wealth equivalent
- Those not of sound mind
- Those who have not yet reached and passed puberty
- Those who are travelling and are more than the Shar’i distance from home (approximately 40-45 kilometres)
You are permitted to donate Qurbani on behalf of other people, including those who have passed away. However, you are not expected to provide Qurbani animals on behalf of your adult children who can pay their own share.
At What Age is Qurbani Farz?
Whether Qurbani is compulsory differs between different schools of thought, however, for the greater good of those less fortunate, Qurbani should be considered Farz for anyone who has reached the age of puberty and who poses wealth above the threshold amount of 52.5 tolas of silver.
Who Can Receive Qurbani Meat?
Meat from Qurbani animals should be distributed equally in three parts. It should be given to the family, friends and the poor (both Muslim and non-Muslim alike). If you perform Qurbani with a partner/partners, the meat should be shared by weight, not by approximation. You cannot pay the butcher with the meat, fat and by-products of the slaughtered animal. The skin can be kept for personal use, but if it is sold, the amount must be given to the poor.
How Many Qurbani Per Family?
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.
When Must Qurbani Be Performed?
Qurbani must be performed on the 10th, 11th and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the time of the festival of Eid ul-Adha. Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Greater Eid, Bakra Eid and Qurbani Eid changes in the Gregorian calendar each year. Eid ul-Adha 2020 and Qurbani preparations are anticipated to start in the evening of Thursday 30th July, ending on Monday 3rd August 2020, depending on the sighting of the moon. The time for Qurbani must be performed as close to the completion of Eid Salah as possible and not before, any sacrifice carried out before Eid Salah is considered Sadaqah.
When Must Qurbani Animals Be Purchased?
Qurbani animals should be purchased a few days before the sacrifice. They must be properly fed and well cared for in the intervening days.
Which Animals Can Be Sacrificed?
The animals which are eligible should meet minimum requirements, such as the age of the animal for Qurbani and their condition, including:
- Sheep and goats at least one year in age (enough for one person’s Qurbani)
- Cows or buffalo at least two years in age (enough for seven people’s Qurbani)
- Camels of at least five years in age (enough for seven people’s Qurbani)
In addition, all animals must be healthy and free of disease, including the following conditions:
- They must not be blind, one-eyed or have lost a third (or more) of their sight
- They cannot be missing a third (or more) of their ear or tail, either through loss or since birth
- Their horn(s) cannot be broken off from their root
- They must not have a lame leg that is sufficiently weak that they are unable to walk on it
- They cannot be excessively thin or lean
- They must be able to walk themselves to the site of the slaughter
- They cannot be toothless, or missing over half their teeth
- There is no preference between male or female Qurbani animals. It is preferable that male Qurbani animals are castrated, but this is not compulsory
How Should Qurbani Animals Be Sacrificed?
To fulfil the rules of the Qurbani festival, slaughterers and slaughter-houses should abide by the following regulations:
- The animal should be slaughtered with a sharp knife to avoid causing undue suffering
- The knife should not be sharpened in front of the animal
- No animal should be slaughtered in the presence of another
It is best to slaughter the animal yourself, but if you do not know how, you should remain present whilst someone else sacrifices the creature. It is also necessary to say “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” when slaughtering the animal. Slaughtered animals are not to be skinned until completely cold.
How To Pay Qurbani?
In the UK, animal slaughter can only be carried out by recognised and registered slaughterhouses but Muslim Aid has made it easy for you to pay your Qurbani directly to us.
Our UK Qurbani Programme supports those in need in the UK who have had to rely on food banks and donations to keep their family afloat, donate with Muslim Aid and receive two thirds direct to you while our teams deliver the remaining third to those in need.
You can also donate Qurbani to our Need is Greatest programme which ensures fresh meat is distributed to the communities facing the most hardships in areas of conflict and poverty. Our teams are on the grounds in the worst affected countries, getting food parcels and Qurbani shares to isolated communities or those caught in high-risk zones.
The Prophet (PBUH) – (Hadith – Trimidhi)
Qurbani is the act of sacrificing a livestock animal to remember the ultimate sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was prepared to make atop Mount Arafat all those years ago.
It must be carried out during Eid ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, and the Qurbani meat distribution rules should be followed in order to ensure the sacrifice is made in accordance with the wishes of Allah (SWT).
When Should Qurbani Be Carried Out?
Qurbani must only be performed on the 10th, 11th and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah. It is better to make Qurbani on the first day (Eid day), followed by the second day, then lastly the third day.
It is possible to order or arrange your Qurbani before these days, but the sacrifice itself must not be carried out until the 10th-12th days.
Who is Eligible to Offer Qurbani?
Every able Muslim who meets the following criteria must offer Qurbani each year:
- Is of sound mind
- Is an adult
- Is not a Shar’i traveller
- Possesses total wealth which is equivalent in value to 52.5 tolas of silver or more
Parents/guardians are not required to perform Qurbani on behalf of their children. Similarly, while it is not compulsory, it is possible to offer Qurbani on behalf of the deceased.
What Happens if Qurbani is Missed?
Qurbani is an obligation in Islam, so if an eligible Muslim does not offer Qurbani, the individual becomes liable to pay compensation.
Not only will they be missing out on a chance to seek the rewards and blessings that Qurbani can bring, but they must also make up for the missed sacrifice by giving a charitable donation equal to the value of Qurbani. However, aside from this exception, charity is not a substitution for Qurbani, and it does not fulfil the obligation.
How Should Qurbani Meat Be Distributed?
Once the sacrifice has been carried out, the meat from Qurbani animals must be distributed in three equal parts. These are as follows:
- One part for the individual performing Qurbani
- Another for their friends and family
- The last for those in need
Which Animals are Eligible for Qurbani?
Only specific livestock animals are eligible for Qurbani:
- Sheep – minimum one-year-old, although a six-month-old sheep may be eligible if the animal is big and healthy enough to equate to a year-old sheep
- Goats – minimum one-year-old
- Cows, bulls, and buffalo – a minimum of two years old
- Camels – a minimum of five years old
If you purchase an animal for Qurbani and the seller tells you that it is of the required age, you may take them at their word if there is no evidence to the contrary.
If you purchase Qurbani animals before the date, it is important to ensure they are well fed and properly looked after in the intervening days before Qurbani takes place. When it comes to the sacrifice, animals must be slaughtered quickly and painlessly to ensure they do not suffer needlessly.
Which Animals are Not Eligible for Qurbani?
In addition to the above requirements, there are further conditions that determine the eligibility of an animal for sacrifice. Qurbani animals should not:
- Be blind or have lost one or both eyes
- Be missing more than a third of an ear
- Be missing more than a third of their tail
- Have missing or damaged horns
- Be lame or unable to walk
- Be excessively thin
- Be missing the majority of their teeth
Lastly, castrated animals are preferred, though this is not obligatory.
How Many Shares is Each Animal Worth?
Different Qurbani animals contain different shares. Goats and sheep each contain a single share, which means that the animal must be purchased in its entirety in order for it to be offered as Qurbani. Conversely, a cow, bull, buffalo, or camel each contain seven shares. This means that up to seven Muslims can each contribute towards the cost of the animal and will receive their share in accordance with Qurbani meat distribution rules.
Nowadays, many Muslims choose to donate their Qurbani to benefit those in need around the world. This enables the Qurbani meat to be distributed directly to the places where it will do the most good.
Why is Qurbani Important?
Qurbani can teach us about the importance of our faith and strengthening our relationship with Allah (SWT). By following in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and performing Qurbani, we can actively work to learn more about our faith as we seek reward and blessings from our Creator.
Donate with UK Islamic Mission this Eid ul-Adha and ensure your Qurbani donation is able to reach your brothers and sisters most in need at this blessed time of year.
