Who is Qurbani compulsory on?

The term Qurbani comes from the word qurban, which is rooted in the concept of drawing closer to Allah. Also known as Udhiya, Qurbani is the act of sacrificing an animal solely for the sake of Allah (SWT). This practice is a religious duty for Muslims who have the financial means to do so. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would even offer Qurbani on behalf of those who were unable to afford it, after fulfilling his own obligation.

Qurbani is a mandatory act for those required to perform it, but beyond that Qurbani also has a broader purpose — to help feed those in need, particularly those who may not have regular access to meat due to financial hardship. Performing Qurbani brings numerous spiritual and practical rewards. In this article, we’ll explore exactly who is and isn’t eligible to perform Qurbani, and of the meaningful benefits that come from carrying out this important act of worship, inshaAllah.

Give Qurbani today from £26.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم (said (on the day of Eid Al Adha), "The first thing we will do on this day of ours, is to offer the Eid prayer and then return to slaughter the sacrifice. Whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (tradition), and whoever slaughtered (the sacrifice) before the prayer, what he offered was just meat he presented to his family, and that will not be considered as Nusak (sacrifice).” (Bukhari)

According to the Hanafi madhab, Qurbani is compulsory or fard (farz).

As for the other three madhabs, it is not compulsory but it is highly recommended.

You shall observe the complete rites of Hajj and Umrah for God. If you are prevented, you shall send an offering, and do not resume cutting your hair until your offering has reached its destination. If you are ill, or suffering a head injury (and you must cut your hair), you shall expiate by fasting, or giving to charity, or some other form of worship. During the normal Hajj, if you break the state of Ihram (sanctity) betweenUmrah and Hajj, you shall expiate by offering an animal sacrifice. If you cannot afford it, you shall fast three days during Hajj and seven when you return home - this completes ten -provided you do not live at the Sacred Masjid. You shall observe God, and know that God is strict in enforcing retribution. (Surah Baqarah, Verse 196)

Qurbani is fard (obligatory) in the Hanafi madhab (and highly recommended in the other schools of thought) for any adult who meets the nisab threshold—the minimum amount of wealth that makes one eligible to give zakat.

In simple terms, if you are eligible to give zakat, then you are also required (in the hanafi madhab) to give Qurbani.

Individuals do not have to give Qurbani if they are travelling, not mentally stable, or have not reached puberty.

You are not eligible to give Zakat if you are:. - Those living in poverty and have little to no income. - Individuals or organisations employed to distribute Zakat. - People living in captivity and victims of slavery. - People who are in debt. - Individuals who work for Allah’s cause or those who give Dawah.

Qurbani meat is specifically distributed to those most in need, with particular emphasis on the following vulnerable groups:

• Families who have little or no income

• Families with little or no access to the market.

• Female-headed households

• Families with disabled and/or elderly persons

• Pregnant women

• Breastfeeding mothers

• Children under five years old

Giving your Qurbani through Human Appeal is a very easy and simple process. There are only 3 steps involved:

1. Choose your Qurbani.

Your Qurbani amount will differ based on the animal and country you choose to donate:

1 sheep or goat = 1 Qurbani

1 cow = 7 Qurbanis (1 Qurbani – 1/7th of the share)

2. We carry out the sacrifice with care.

3. Your gift is delivered directly to families in need.

If you are ready to give your Qurbani through Human Appeal then you can do it here by donating to our Qurbani Appeal.

May Allah (SWT) allow our hearts to fully embrace the profound spiritual blessings that come with Qurbani. May He grant us the insight to understand the true essence of sacrifice—not only in the form of giving up something material, but also in surrendering our egos, desires, and attachments for His sake.

May Allah increase us in wisdom, sincerity, and humility. May He soften our hearts and make them receptive to His guidance, filling them with a love for submission to His will. May He allow us to offer our Qurbani not out of habit or obligation, but with deep joy, gratitude, and devotion.

We ask Allah to ease our affairs, purify our intentions, and accept every act of worship from us. May our sacrifices be a means of drawing nearer to Him, of feeding the hungry, and of sharing His mercy with others.

May Allah be pleased with us, forgive our shortcomings, and write us among those who are truly close to Him. Ameen.

https://humanappeal.org.uk/news/2017/08/the-essential-qurbani-guide

https://humanappeal.org.uk/news/2020/07/the-importance-of-the-first-10-days-of-dhul-hijjah

https://humanappeal.org.uk/news/2024/03/the-importance-of-prophetic-qurbani