Dhul Hijjah- the final month of the Islamic calendar- is a very important and holy time in the lunar year. There are many vital events that occur within this 12th month, and it is a busy time for Muslims all over the globe. It is named due to the Hajj pilgrimage that falls within this month. Muslims from far and wide come together to take on the Hajj and visit significant historic places where many Islamic events unfolded (such as Mount Arafat).
Within Dhul Hijjah, there are also huge events that take place- Eid al-Adha and Qurbani. These events are observed and celebrated by every Muslim around the world, holding great meaning to believers. Qurbani, known as Udhiya, means sacrifice. It is when an animal is slaughtered to acknowledge devotion to Islam and Allah (SWT). The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) began this sacrifice ritual because he demonstrated this pure devotion. Allah (SWT) wanted him to sacrifice the thing that was most important to him to show his commitment to Him. The one and only thing that mattered to Ibrahim (AS) the most was his son, Ismail (AS). Ibrahim (AS) stayed steadfast with this command and was fully prepared to make the sacrifice in Allah’s (SWT) name. In the last moment, Allah (SWT) swapped Ismail (AS) with a ram and told both men that it had been a test of loyalty and love for Him.
From this ultimate sacrifice, Muslims commemorate the devotion and commitment of the Prophet (AS) through the ritual of Qurbani. They sacrifice an animal for Allah (SWT) and divide it into three equal parts: one for themselves and their family, one for extended family and friends, and one for those less fortunate. However, because Muslims have settled all over the world, it isn’t always possible to do Qurbani the traditional way. Instead, charitable organisations, like Emaan Relief, take Qurbani donations to do the sacrifice on a Muslim’s behalf. This way, the meat is distributed to those in need, helping people facing extreme poverty and hardship with a nutritious meal.
Explore the answer to the question of “Is Qurbani Mandatory in Islam?” and find out everything you need to know about the sacrifice to help you be prepared for this significant religious time.
Even though Qurbani is a very holy time during the Islamic calendar, it can be confusing for many. It is a lesser-known event to those outside of the religion and many can wonder, Do you have to give Qurbani?, as there are many rules around it.
So, is Qurbani mandatory? Well, this question depends on the school of thought a Muslim follows. There is a debate about whether Qurbani is compulsory for Muslims, and many can see it as an obligation for their faith. However, no matter which school of thought you follow in Islam, Qurbani is very highly encouraged to do during the days of Eid al-Adha. This is because it is an act that can get a Muslim closer to Allah (SWT) and earn rewards. Plus, it’s done to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifice, which is a huge part of Islamic history. It is also seen as a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As the sacrifice is highly encouraged, it should be done during the celebrations of Eid al-Adha- the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Qurbani begins after the Eid Salah (Eid prayers) and ends as the sun sets on the last tashreeq day (the 13th of Dhul Hijjah).
Farz are essential for Muslims as they are religious duties that Allah (SWT) has instructed. This means that anything that is farz is obligatory for all eligible Muslims. When it comes to whether or not Qurbani is farz, it is all dependent on the school of thought a Muslim follows. There are multiple schools of Islam that debate the question, is Qurbani farz? The majority of these agree that the sacrifice is not farz because there isn’t any evidence that Qurbani has been commanded by Allah (SWT).
One of the most popular schools of thought in Islam is Hanafism. It is the largest single Islamic school of thought and is followed by around one-third of the world’s Muslims. In this school, it is believed that Qurbani is compulsory but not farz. Instead, it is seen as a compulsory act known as wajib. Wajib acts mean that they are considered an indirect obligation for Muslims to do. This is because they are based on interpretation rather than evidence of direct command.
With this being said, the ritual of Qurbani is very significant to Muslim faith, their spirituality and their relationship with their community and Allah (SWT). Due to this, every school of thought determines Qurbani as highly encouraged, and it shouldn’t be forgotten or missed without good reason.
These other schools of thought see the ritual as Sunnah- a tradition or practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)- and should be done to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH). It is a spiritually rewarding ritual that Muslims should perform with taqwa (awareness and sincerity of God).
Since Qurbani isn’t seen as farz to schools of thought in Islam, it is difficult to understand who needs to perform it. No matter if a believer sees Qurbani as wajib or not, only certain Muslims have to do it. Because of this, it can be hard to determine at what age Qurbani is farz and who must do the sacrifice. There are Islamic rulings around Qurbani that are similar to Zakat and Ramadan. These rulings outline who is eligible to do Qurbani. Those expected to do so are:
This means the age for Qurbani to be performed is not a specific number. Instead, it’s until someone has reached puberty and is no longer a child.
So, do you have to give Qurbani for a child? As stated above, Qurbani is only obligatory or highly encouraged for adult Muslims who meet the Islamic rulings. This means that you don’t necessarily have to give Qurbani for a child. Although, if you want to give Qurbani as a family, you can do so. You can perform the ritual on your family’s behalf, including children. This can also be done if you are in a country that doesn’t allow you to carry out the sacrifice, such as the UK. You can donate shares of an animal for yourself and on behalf of other people. This means you can choose to buy multiple shares and put one in the name of your child.
Due to strict regulations in the UK that govern the slaughter of animals, it can be difficult for Muslims who are required to perform Qurbani to fulfil their obligation. For these believers, there is an alternative way where they can pay Qurbani to a charitable organisation, like Emaan Relief. We use donations to purchase animals and slaughter them according to the Qurbani rules. Once this is done, we distribute the meat across the world to those most in need.
A popular question when it comes to Qurbani is, “How much do you have to give for Qurbani?”. This can be confusing for many believers as it isn’t a set amount that needs to be given. The price can fluctuate based on a wide range of factors, no matter how you give your Qurbani. You need to pay for at least one animal. This price varies as it depends on the animal you choose. You can pay for a small animal as one share of Qurbani, or donate one share in a larger animal that is equivalent to seven people’s shares. It is typically a higher price for a smaller animal than for one share in a larger animal. However, you can also donate multiple shares on behalf of you and your family or other loved ones, which changes the price.
As well as this, the price can fluctuate based on where in the world the animal is sacrificed and distributed. Areas with a larger supply of livestock are usually lower in price than more scarce areas. This means there is no set price for Qurbani, leaving it up to you and your means.
Whether Qurbani is mandatory or highly encouraged for you, it is best to donate your Qurbani as soon as possible to ensure your sacrifice counts. At Emaan Relief, we do your Qurbani over the days of Eid al-Adha to ensure that you fulfil your obligation and reap rewards. We distribute the meat to the most vulnerable communities across the world who face poverty and hardship every day. When you donate, you spread the joy of Eid with a nutritious and filling meal, bringing health and happiness to those in need.
