How to Distribute Qurbani Meat in Islam?

Qurbani meat is obtained from sacrificial animals—goats, sheep, camels, and cows—during Eid al-Adha. 

Let’s explore how to distribute the Qurbani meat equally:

1. Allocation of Qurbani Meat

Distributing Qurbani meat equitably among three segments exemplifies the essence of generosity and communal solidarity in Islam.

Following are three divisions of Qurbani meat:

1. Household Share

One-third of the share is allocated to the person who performs Qurbani and their family. This distribution ensures that Qurbani's blessings and rewards extend to the entire household.

2. Relatives, Neighbors & Friends

Another one-third of the Qurbani meat is allocated to the Qurbani performer's relatives, friends or neighbors. This division ensures that they, too, partake in the blessings of the sacrifice. 

2. Poor and Needy

According to the Quranic instructions regarding Qurbani, the final one-third share is reserved for people experiencing poverty. This charitable act ensures that needy members of the community benefit from the sacred festival of Eid al-Adha. 

Note: If you want to donate to Qurbani online, you can donate to a trusted and registered charitable organization like Pakistan Sweet Home for orphans and their families.

2. Prepare the Qurbani Meat

Following the Qurbani sacrifice, the meat should be sliced into suitable serving sizes, considering local preferences and traditions. It's essential to engage skilled personnel for proper butchering, packaging, and compliance with hygiene standards. 

Additionally, to maintain freshness and quality, ensure appropriate storage, which may require refrigeration or cold storage facilities. It depends on the ambient temperature and quantity of meat.

3. Equal Weight Qurbani Meat Bags

When dividing the sliced Qurbani meat, ensure transparency and fairness, ensuring uniform distribution among all recipients.

To maximize the benefits of Qurbani, Ask your butcher to ensure uniformity in meat bags, whether they're 1 kg or 2 kg each, ensuring every bag contains an equal amount of meat. 

Note: Avoid any bias or favoritism towards family members over neighbors or other beneficiaries. 

4. Ensure Hygienic Meat Distribution of Qurbani

After weighing equally Qurbani meat bags, prioritize hygienic practices when handling the meat. Utilize sanitized packaging materials to prevent contamination and strictly follow food safety guidelines. 

Additionally, educate recipients on proper methods for handling, storing, and cooking the meat to ensure its optimal use and safety. Especially if you are offering Qurbani in summer when meat can get rotten.

Your first priority should be to distribute meat on time so that the chance of getting rotten meat can be avoided. 

5. Efficient and Timely Distribution of Qurbani Meat

After ensuring that the meat bags are hygienically weighed to guarantee equal portions, start the distribution process. When distributing Qurbani meat, ensure it reaches the recipients promptly.

Make a detailed list of the recipients and assign the duty to a trustworthy person. Instruct them to distribute the meat respectfully, preserving the dignity and morale of those in need.

Exceptions in Permissibility of Giving and Storing Qurbani Meat

Let's explore the exceptions and doubts regarding giving meat to non-muslims and storing it for more than three days.

Giving Qurbani Meat to Non-Muslims

There is a difference of opinions among Islamic scholars regarding permissibility of giving Qurbani meat to non-muslims.

Some scholars claim that it is impermissible, as Qurbani is a religious ritual intended specifically for Muslims. Conversely, others argue that it is permissible, viewing it as an act of kindness and compassion towards others.

Reasons to Give Qurbani Meat to Non-Muslims

For the following reasons Qurbani meat can be given to non-muslims:

1. Kindness and compassion: It serves as a gesture of kindness and compassion towards all individuals, irrespective of their religious affiliation. It aligns with the Islamic principle of benevolence towards humanity.

2. Spreading Islam: By sharing Qurbani meat with non-muslims, there is an opportunity to increase their interest in Islam. It also encourages them to learn more about the faith, potentially facilitating the spread of Islamic teachings.

3. Bridging communities: Sharing food fosters a sense of community and fosters understanding between Muslims and non-muslims. It contributes to the promotion of harmony and mutual respect.

Reasons Not to Give Qurbani Meat to Non-Muslim

In line with the final opinion in the Shafi'i school of thought, it is considered unlawful to give Qurbani meat to non-Muslims. This stance stems from the belief that Qurbani is a form of worship exclusively designated for Muslims, akin to Zakat.

However other school of thoughts offer differing perspectives on this issue:

Storing of Qurbani Meat

In Hadith, two concepts regarding the storage of meat are highlighted:

• During times of famine, it's prohibited to store meat for more than three days.
• In times of plenty, people can preserve meat beyond three days. 

In modern times, advancements in refrigeration and preservation allow people to store meat for extended periods, irrespective of prevailing conditions.

Following Hadiths clarifies that whether we can store Qurbani meat for more than three days:

It's important to note that storing meat doesn't exempt one from distributing it. One should adhere to the guidelines for meat distribution, fulfilling their share, and then proceed to store the remaining portion as needed. 

In summary, it's crucial to divide Qurbani meat evenly among recipients, Qurbani performers, families, and the needy. This practice ensures that everyone in the community benefits equally from the blessings of the sacrifice. 

Taking safety measures during meat preparation and being careful of proper distribution methods are essential aspects to consider. There are different thoughts about sharing Qurbani meat with non-Muslims and how long it can be stored. But the main idea is to share the blessings equally with everyone.

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