What is Qurbani/Udhiya in Islam?

Qurbani is also known as Udhiya in Islam.

Qurbani is the ritual sacrifice of a livestock animal, such as a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. This practice is based on the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to glorify Allah (SWT) during the Eid al-Adha. The festival of Eid occurs between the 10th and 12th days of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.

Let’s dive into the details of Qurbani, exploring its history, religious significance, and how it can perform: 

Significance of Qurbani in Islam

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of Allah SWT said:

Offering Qurbani allows us to examine our connection with Allah and emphasizes the need to prioritize Him above all else in our lives. It also serves as a reminder to let go of anything that might weaken our faith. It lets us focus on increasing our good deeds for His pleasure.

Individuals' Eligibility for Offering Qurbani

Let's explore the perspectives of different Islamic schools of thought regarding the eligibility criteria for offering Qurbani: 

Hanafi school of thought: Qurbani is integral to Islam, akin to Zakat and Ramadan, yet not everyone may fulfill this obligation.

Hence, the following individuals are obligated to perform Qurbani to please Allah (SWT):

• Muslims who have reached puberty
• Muslims of sound mind
• Muslims possessing 52.5 tolas (614.25 grams) of silver or its equivalent in wealth without debt
• Muslims not traveling and residing within 27 miles (45km) of their home

Note: Those outside these categories are exempt from Qurbani.

Hanbali and Maliki schools of thought: The person responsible for the household's financial support can perform Qurbani on behalf of the entire family.

Selection of Animals for Qurbani 

In the Qurbani tradition, permissible Halal animals for sacrifice include camels, cows, buffaloes, goats, and sheep (both rams and lambs). However, you must only perform Zabihah on domestic cattle, meaning wild animals like deer or wild cows are not allowed.

Additionally, all Qurbani animals must be healthy and meet certain conditions. They should not:

• Be blind or have significant vision loss (missing a third or more of their sight)
• Have a missing eye
• Be missing half or more of their teeth
• Be underweight, thin, or lean
• Be lame or unable to walk to the place of sacrifice on their own
• Have horns broken at the base

Minimum Age Requirement of Sacrificial Animal

Shares of Qurbani in Animals 

Time of Qurbani

Here are the suggested timings for performing Qurbani according to Sunnah:

Start of Qurbani

The permissible time for Qurbani begins at fajr (dawn) on Eid al-Adha, which is the second Eid in the Islamic lunar calendar. However, the sacrifice must be done after the Eid Salah (Prayer), not before. In some cultures, this incorrect practice of sacrificing before the Eid Prayer has become common. 

While it's permissible to sacrifice after the Eid Salah and before the khutbah (sermon), it's preferred to wait until after the khutbah.

This is based on the following hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): 

Sacrifice with Multiple Eid Prayers

If you're in an area with multiple Eid congregations, it’s sufficient for just one congregation to complete the Eid Salah for the sacrifice to be valid. You can perform the sacrifice once at least one of these congregations has finished its prayer.

Sacrifice When Eid Prayer Is Delayed

If the Eid Salah is delayed to the second day for any reason, the time for slaughter begins. This occurs when the due time for the Eid Salah on the first-day ends, which is when the sun crosses its zenith. This holds even if the Eid Salah hasn't been conducted.

Sacrifice When Eid Prayer Is Not Held

If you're in a location where there's no Eid Salah, or during a time when Eid Prayer is not being held, you can perform the sacrifice any time after sunrise.

End of Qurbani

According to the Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought, the Qurbani time ends at sunset on the third day of Eid. Sacrifice can be performed from the 10th to the 12th of month of Dhul-Hijjah. Sacrificing outside these prescribed times doesn't count as Qurbani (Udhiya).

Distribution of Qurbani Meat 

Qurbani meat should be divided into three equal parts. One-third (1/3rd ) share for the Qurbani performer, one-third (1/3rd ) for family/ relatives or friends, and one-third (1/3rd ) for those who are experiencing poverty or in need.

Practical Steps for Performing Qurbani

Following are the steps for performing Qurbani according to the Sunnah during the days of slaughter (Ayyam al-Nahr):

1. Preparations for Qurbani or Udhiya:

• Begin by setting your intention to sacrifice for the sake of Allah.
• Treat the sacrificial animal with kindness: feed and water it beforehand, and if possible, give it a bath.
• Sharpen your knife well to minimize the animal's pain and discomfort during slaughter.

• Do not sharpen the knife in the presence of the sacrificial animal.

2. Sunnah Guidelines for Qurbani Slaughter:
Islam emphasizes humane treatment when offering Qurbani.

The following are some key points of Qurbani in Quran and Sunnah:

• Slaughter the animal in the name of Allah and recite the following dua of Qurbani:

"In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, this is from You and for You. O Allah, accept it from me."

(Sahih al-Muslim)

• If you can, perform the slaughter yourself; if not, it's permissible to have someone else do it for you. The Prophet (PBUH) often performed the Udhiya slaughter himself.
• It is recommended to face the animal towards the Qiblah during slaughter.
• After positioning the animal on the ground, make the cut swiftly.
• Ensure you cut the four key vessels (two major blood vessels, the windpipe, and the food pipe). Avoid overcutting.
• Do not break the animal's neck during slaughter.
• Avoid slaughtering in front of other animals or in the vicinity of blood from previous sacrifices.
• Do not start skinning or cutting any part of the animal until it is completely dead.

3. Post-Zabiha (After Qurbani) Considerations:

• Clean and wash away all blood to maintain hygiene.
• Properly cover and seal the blood pit to prevent any impurities.

Benefits of Qurbani in Islam

Here are the key benefits of Qurbani in Islam:

1. Spiritual Connection: By performing Qurbani, Muslims seek to please Allah.

2. Reminder of Sacrifice and Obedience: Qurbani is a symbolic reminder of Prophet Ibrahim's ultimate act of obedience to Allah, emphasizing the importance of faith and submission.

3. Acts of Charity and Generosity: The division of Qurbani meat among the poor and needy fosters a sense of charity and caring within the community.

4. Strengthening Family and Community Bonds: The act of sharing meat encourages sharing and communal gatherings, helping to strengthen family and community ties.

5. Support for Those in Need: This charitable aspect of Qurbani contributes to social justice and care for the less privileged.

6. Opportunity for Reflection and Gratitude: This period of reflection and thankfulness can lead to a deeper appreciation for life's blessings.

7. Promoting Global Solidarity: As Qurbani is celebrated by Muslims worldwide, it creates a sense of global unity among the Ummah, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

Qurbani Rules

Following are some important Qurbani rules that anyone performing Qurbani should know:

1. Qurbani Rules for Hair and Nails

During Qurbani (Udhiya), both men and women observe specific conditions similar to those followed during Ihram, the sacred state assumed during Hajj or Umrah. This is because the individual performing the sacrifice seeks divine redemption from Hellfire.

Here are the particular rules for hair and nails in the context of Qurbani:

1. They must not cut their hair, skin, or nails.

2. This restriction on hair and nail cutting begins as soon as one intends to offer the sacrifice during Dhul-Hijjah.

3. There is no fidyah (redemption fee) for those who accidentally cut their hair or nails, but they must seek God's forgiveness sincerely.

4. The Qurbani (Udhiya) remains valid even if one has cut their nails, provided they have asked for forgiveness.

5. The person offering the Qurbani (Udhiya) must follow these two conditions, whether they are performing the sacrifice themselves or having it done on their behalf. 

6. However, a person performing the sacrifice on someone else's behalf is not required to adhere to these two conditions of Ihram.

2. Qurbani Rule for Giving Meat to Butcher

When employing a butcher to process Qurbani meat, payment should be made in currency, not in kind. If you prefer, you can also give some of the meat to the butcher as part of the distribution, separate from paying them for their services.

3. Qurbani Rule to Combine Qurbani and Aqiqah

Under the Hanafi interpretation, it is permissible to combine the offerings of Qurbani and Aqiqah into a single animal, such as a cow, camel, or buffalo.

The view held by the Maalikis and Shaafa’is, and also narrated from Imam Ahmad in one report, is that the Udhiyah does not count as the 'Aqeeqah. 

The evidence supporting this view is that each act—both 'Aqeeqah and Udhiyah—should be performed for its own specific purpose. Therefore, one cannot fulfill the requirements of the other.

Each act is carried out for different reasons, so they cannot substitute for one another. This is similar to how the sacrifice offered by a pilgrim performing Tamattu’ and the sacrifice offered as a fidyah are distinct and cannot be interchanged.

In conclusion, Qurbani or Udhiya in Islam is a profound expression of faith and obedience to Allah's commands. The time and practical steps for performing Qurbani underscore its importance in the Islamic calendar and provide guidance for believers. It emphasizes not only the Qurbani but equal meat distribution among needy people. 

The benefits of Qurbani extend beyond spiritual fulfillment to encompass social welfare and community solidarity. Adhering to its conditions ensures its validity and reinforces its role as a pillar of Islamic faith and practice.

Role of Qurbani or Udhiyah as Charity

By understanding Qurbani, you can see how it plays a key role in charity by providing meat to those in need during Eid al-Adha. It helps combat hunger and food insecurity in the community. Donating Qurbani online to registered and trusted charity organizations like Pakistan Sweet Home supports orphans and underprivileged children, ensuring they receive nutritious meals during this special time.

Towards the Better World for Orphans

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