Qurbani Notes
Who must perform Qurbani
Qurbani is wajib in the Hanafi school and sunnah mu'akkadah in the other three schools, on every adult Muslim past puberty (balegh) who has nisab amount of wealth on any one of the three days of Eid al-Adha.
It is not due on children below the age of puberty (na-balegh), but it is permissible if one is capable and desires to offer it.
"Whoever has the capacity yet does not offer the sacrifice, let him not approach our place of prayer."— Reported by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah
Eligible animals
Beef share — 1/7 of a cow. Cattle must be at least 2 years old, or have two permanent front incisor teeth.
Lamb · sheep · goat — one whole animal per name. Sheep and goat must be at least 1 year old, or have two permanent front incisor teeth. Hogget (yearling lamb with two permanent front teeth) qualifies.
General requirements. Each animal must be healthy, free from any obvious deformities or defects — no missing limbs, no broken horns, not blind in the eye.
Who can it be performed for
You can offer Qurbani in your own name, in the name of dependents, or in the name of deceased loved ones — including parents, and even in the name of Rasul'Allah ﷺ if you wish.
It is not permissible to perform Qurbani for other living persons, who are not your dependents, without their consent.
Meat distribution
The recommendation from the Sunnah is to divide the meat into three roughly equal portions:
- One third for yourself and your household
- One third for family, neighbours, and friends
- One third for the poor and needy
Skin and by-products
The skin and other by-products are recovered by the abattoir. The standard recommendation is to donate the value (typically AUD $5–$10 per share) as sadaqa to the charity of your choice. The Sadaqa add-on at checkout lets you do this in one step.
May Allah swt accept your sacrifice and each of your efforts, and make it a means of His forgiveness and mercy. Ameen.