Understanding the Role of Qurbani in Quran and Hadith

Many Muslims give Qurbani every year—yet they don’t know why they’re doing it.

Is it just a tradition? A formality?

Missing the true meaning can turn a powerful act of worship into an empty ritual. But the Qur’an and Hadith reveal a powerful purpose behind Qurbani that every believer should know.

Let’s explore what the Quran and Hadith describe to us about the Qurbani:      

The First Qurbani of Habil 

In the Quran, Allah mentions the story of Hazrat Adam's two sons, Habil and Qabil. Adam (AS) asked them to offer a sacrifice to settle their argument, and the one who made the accepted offering won.

Habil, a shepherd, offered a healthy ram (a male sheep), while Qabil, a farmer, presented various crops. Habil carefully chose the best animal, whereas Qabil did not offer the best of his produce. Allah accepted Habil's offering, raising it to paradise, and rejected the Qurbani of Qabil. 

Habil explained to his brother that Allah accepts sacrifices from those with Taqwa (piety). When Allah SWT accepted Habil's Qurabi, Qabil got jealous and murdered his brother.

وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ ٱبۡنَيۡ ءَادَمَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ إِذۡ قَرَّبَا قُرۡبَانٗا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنۡ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمۡ يُتَقَبَّلۡ مِنَ ٱلۡأٓخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقۡتُلَنَّكَۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ۞

[سورۃ المائدہ: 27]

“And narrate to them with truth the story of the two sons of Adam when they made an offering. Allah accepted the Qurbani of one and not from the other. He threatened, ‘I'll surely kill you.' The other replied, ‘Allah accepts only the god fearing.”

(Surah Al-Ma'idah - 27)

The above narrations about the Qurbani of Habil offer guidance on the following key lessons:

1. The story of Habil and Qabil illustrates the importance of pure intention and sincerity in Qurbani
2. Like Habil, one must: 

• Select a worthy sacrifice
• Treat the Qurbani animal well
• Sacrifice according to Islamic principles

3. Qurbani, similar to Zakat, is an annual obligation upon every sane adult Muslim

The Second Qurbani of Prophet Ibrahim AS

Ibrahim (AS) had a dream instructing him to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) when he was old enough to walk and work. Ismail (AS) obeyed the command without questioning.

His mother, Hajarah (AS), had also obeyed Allah's order years ago when Allah had ordered Ibrahim AS to leave them in the wilderness.

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ۞

[ الصافات: 102]

“Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.”

(Surah As-Saffat - 102)

Both father and son were willing to sacrifice Ismail's life, but Shaytan tried to stop them. In the story of the Sacrifice of Ibrahim (AS) said no to Shaytan three times. But Shaytan continuously tried to harm them.

Each time, Shaytan tried to convince them that Ibrahim was committing a terrible crime, but they affirmed their obedience to Allah. They all had stoned Shaytan in rejection of his temptations. 

The above narrations about the Qurbani of Ibrahim (AS) shed light on the following key points:

• Obedience and submission to Allah's command were paramount for Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS)
• Prophet Ismail (AS) demonstrated unwavering faith and patience in accepting his fate
• Despite Shaytan's attempts to stop them, Ibrahim (AS), Hajarah (AS), and Ismail (AS) collectively resisted his temptations
• The act of stoning Shaitan symbolizes the rejection of evil and steadfastness in faith, observed during Hajj

Verses About Qurbani in Quran

Following are the verses explaining the importance of qurbani in Quran:

1. Surah Al-An'am: 162

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ۞

“Say, Indeed, my prayer, my rights of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”

The above narration illustrates:

• Islam guides us to fully surrender to Allah's commands
• All our acts of worship and deeds are solely for Allah
• We should dedicate our Qurbani solely to Allah
• Allah is the sole entity worthy of worship, and He is the Lord of the entire universe

2. Surah Al-Hajj: 28

لِّيَشْهَدُوا۟ مَنَـٰفِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْبَآئِسَ ٱلْفَقِيرَ۞

“That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat their meat and feed the miserable and poor.”

The above sacred verse highlights:

• Sacrificial rituals bring both communal and personal benefits of Qurbani to believers
• Mention Allah's name during the designated days of sacrifice
• Consume the Qurbani meat and share it with the less fortunate and those in need
• This act reinforces community welfare and compassion for the poor

3. Surah Al-Hajj: 36

وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌۭ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ۞

“And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.”

The above divine verse teaches us:

• Camels and cattle are appointed as symbols of Allah
• These animals bring benefits, and utilizing them as sacrifices highlights the significance of Qurbani in Quran and hadith
• Mention the name of Allah when preparing them for sacrifice
• After the sacrifice, eat from them and also feed the needy and beggars. This practice teaches us gratitude for Allah’s provisions

4. Surah Al-Hajj: 36

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ۞

“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.”

This holy statement draws our attention to:

• Allah does not benefit from the physical offerings of meat or blood
• The true essence of sacrifice lies in the piety and righteousness of the one making the offering
• The sincerity and devotion of the individual performing the sacrifice are what matter most to Allah

5. Surah Al-Kawthar: 2

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ۞

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” 

This divine reminder points to:

• This verse emphasizes the importance of prayer (Salah) as a fundamental act of worship to our Lord
• Qurbani should be only for Allah, strengthening our belief in the oneness of
• Allah Almighty and our dedication to Him

Hadith About Qurbani in Islam

Following are the Hadiths explaining the importance of qurbani:

1. Tradition & Correct Timing for Eid al-Adha Sacrifice

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ زُبَيْدٍ الإِيَامِيِّ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا نَبْدَأُ بِهِ فِي يَوْمِنَا هَذَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ ثُمَّ نَرْجِعَ فَنَنْحَرَ، مَنْ فَعَلَهُ فَقَدْ أَصَابَ سُنَّتَنَا، وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلُ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ لَحْمٌ قَدَّمَهُ لأَهْلِهِ، لَيْسَ مِنَ النُّسُكِ فِي شَىْءٍ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقَامَ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ بْنُ نِيَارٍ وَقَدْ ذَبَحَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ عِنْدِي جَذَعَةً‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ اذْبَحْهَا وَلَنْ تَجْزِيَ عَنْ أَحَدٍ بَعْدَكَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ مُطَرِّفٌ عَنْ عَامِرٍ عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَنْ ذَبَحَ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ تَمَّ نُسُكُهُ، وَأَصَابَ سُنَّةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ"‏‏

Narrated Al-Bara, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said (on the day of Eid Al-Adha):

"The first thing we will do on this day of ours, is to offer the ('Id') 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)." 

(On hearing that) Abu Burda bin Niyar got up, for he had slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, and said, "I have got a six month old ram." The Prophet said, 'Slaughter it (as a sacrifice) but it will not be sufficient for any-one else (as a sacrifice after you).

Al-Bara' added: The Prophet said, "Whoever slaughtered (the sacrifice) after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims."

(Sahih al-Bukhari 5545, Book 73, Hadith 1)

The above insights underscore:

• The Prophet emphasized the sequence of actions on the day of Eid al-Adha
• Abu Burda bin Niyar, who slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, was advised to sacrifice it. However, it would not count as a proper sacrifice according to the Sunnah.
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clarified that sacrificing an animal after the Eid prayer is the right time

2. Sacrifices on Behalf of Wives

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَحَاضَتْ بِسَرِفَ، قَبْلَ أَنْ تَدْخُلَ مَكَّةَ وَهْىَ تَبْكِي فَقَالَ ‏"‏ مَا لَكِ أَنَفِسْتِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ هَذَا أَمْرٌ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى بَنَاتِ آدَمَ، فَاقْضِي مَا يَقْضِي الْحَاجُّ غَيْرَ أَنْ لاَ تَطُوفِي بِالْبَيْتِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَلَمَّا كُنَّا بِمِنًى أُتِيتُ بِلَحْمِ بَقَرٍ، فَقُلْتُ مَا هَذَا قَالُوا ضَحَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ أَزْوَاجِهِ بِالْبَقَرِ‏.‏

Narrated by Aisha (R.A):

“that the Prophet (PBUH) entered upon her when she had her menses at Sarif before entering Mecca, and she was weeping (because she was afraid that she would not be able to perform the Hajj). 

The Prophet said, What is wrong with you? Have you got your period? She said, Yes. He said, This is a matter Allah has decreed for all the daughters of Adam, so perform all the ceremonies of Hajj like the others, but do not perform the Tawaf around the Ka'ba.

Aisha added: When we were at Mina, beef was brought to me and I asked, What is this? " They (the people) said, "Allah's Apostle has slaughtered some cows as sacrifices on behalf of his wives.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 5548,  Book 73, Hadith 4)

The above teachings reveal:

• Menstruation is a natural and decreed condition for all women, as mentioned by the Prophet
• Women can still participate in most religious ceremonies during their menstrual period
• Even during menstruation, women can perform all the rites of Hajj except Tawaf
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed compassion and inclusion by ensuring that Aisha (RA) could still perform other Hajj rituals despite her condition
• The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed sacrifices on behalf of his wives, highlighting the practice of proxy sacrifice

3. Don’t Skip Qurbani If You Can Afford It

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ"‏ مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ سَعَةٌ وَلَمْ يُضَحِّ فَلاَ يَقْرَبَنَّ مُصَلاَّنَا‏"‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Whoever has the means but does not offer a sacrifice should not come near our place of prayer."

Sunan Ibn Majah: 3123

The above teachings explain:

• Sacrificing on Eid al-Adha is an emphasized act of worship for those who have the financial means.
• The hadith carries a stern warning, indicating that neglecting the sacrifice despite having the ability to do so is a serious matter.

4. The Prophet (PBUH) Sacrificed Animals Himself

4. حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي ح، وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، سَمِعْتُ قَتَادَةَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ يُضَحِّي بِكَبْشَيْنِ أَمْلَحَيْنِ أَقْرَنَيْنِ وَيُسَمِّي وَيُكَبِّرُ وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ يَذْبَحُ بِيَدِهِ وَاضِعًا قَدَمَهُ عَلَى صِفَاحِهِمَا‏.‏

Anas bin Malik reported:

“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would sacrifice two black-and-white, horned rams. He would invoke the name of Allah and declare His greatness. I witnessed him slaughtering them himself, placing his foot on their sides as he did so.”

Sunan Ibn Majah: 3120

The above teachings reveal:

• The Prophet (PBUH) personally offered the Eid sacrifice.
• He chose two black-and-white, horned rams.
• He mentioned Allah’s name and declared His greatness.
• He performed the act himself, showing personal commitment.

5. Do Qurbani After Eid Prayer

5. حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ ذَبَحَ قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّمَا ذَبَحَ لِنَفْسِهِ، وَمَنْ ذَبَحَ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَقَدْ تَمَّ نُسُكُهُ، وَأَصَابَ سُنَّةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ"‏‏.‏

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever slaughtered the sacrifice before the prayer, he just slaughtered it for himself, and whoever slaughtered it after the prayer, he slaughtered it at the right time and followed the tradition of the Muslims."

Sahih al-Bukhari 5546 Vol. 7, Book 68, Hadith 454

The above instruction helps us understand:

• Sacrificing before the prayer is seen as benefiting only the individual, not fulfilling the communal aspect of the tradition
• Performing the Qurbani at the correct time aligns with the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)

In conclusion, Qurbani in Quran and Hadith highlights the deep spiritual meaning behind this sacred act of worship. It began with the story of Habil, whose sincere offering was accepted by Allah. It continued with Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who showed unmatched obedience by preparing to sacrifice his beloved son.

The Quran teaches that sacrifice (Qurbani) is an act of devotion done only for Allah, showing our sincerity and piety. It reminds us to mention Allah’s name, share the meat with the poor, and be grateful, because what truly matters to Allah is our intention, not the meat or blood.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further clarified the rulings—Qurbani must be done after Eid prayer, and He warned against neglecting it without a valid reason. He (PBUH) also performed Qurbani himself by sacrificing two rams, setting a clear and lasting example. He (PBUH) also performed Qurbani on behalf of his wives. 

Qurbani reflects sincerity, submission, and compassion at its core.

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