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 world. It is named after the Hajj pilgrimage that falls within this month. Muslims from far and wide come together to take part in this holy Pilgrimage and visit significant historic places where many Islamic events unfolded (such as Mount Arafat). As well as this, the practice of Qurbani, along with the celebration of Eid al-Adha, both take place within the month of Dhul Hijjah. Qurbani, also known as Udhiyyah, means to sacrifice. It is when an animal is slaughtered in the name of Allah (SWT), acknowledging one’s devotion and sincerity to Him. It also commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) dedication to his faith and is a key act of worship within the month.
The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) began this sacrifice ritual because he demonstrated 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) replaced Ismail (AS) with a ram and told both men that it had been a test of loyalty and love for Him. Allah mentions this story in the Quran, telling us: 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.” Then when they submitted ˹to Allah’s Will˺, and Abraham laid him on the side of his forehead ˹for sacrifice˺, We called out to him, “O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, this is how We reward the good doers. [Quran 37:102-105] 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, due to circumstances in the West, 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 behalf of a believer. This way, the meat is distributed to those in need, helping people facing extreme poverty and hardship with a nutritious meal.
So, is Qurbani compulsory? Well, the answer to this depends on the school of thought a believer follows. There is a debate around who Qurbani is compulsory on, with many seeing it as an obligation within their faith. However, no matter which school of thought you follow in Islam, Qurbani is a highly encouraged practice 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 His reward. Plus, it’s done to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifice, which is a huge part of Islamic history, as well as a 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 or 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).
Fardh is an obligatory religious duty upon a Muslim believer. This means that anything that is Fardh is compulsory for all eligible Muslims. When it comes to whether or not Qurbani is Fardh, it is all dependent on the school of thought a Muslim follows. There are multiple schools of thought in Islam that debate the question, is Qurbani Fardh? The majority of these agree that the sacrifice is not Fardh because there is no evidence that Qurbani has been commanded by Allah (SWT). One of the most popular schools of thought in Islam is the Hanafi. 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 Fardh. Instead, it is seen as a compulsory act known as wajib. Wajib means that it is considered an indirect obligation for Muslims to do. This is because they are based on interpretation rather than evidence of direct commandment. With this being said, the ritual of Qurbani is very significant to the Islamic faith, a believer’s 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. The other schools of thought see the Qurbani ritual as Sunnah, a tradition or practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), encouraged to 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 Fardh to the majority of scholars in Islam, it is difficult to understand who has to give Qurbani. 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 Fardh 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 would mean that the age for Qurbani to be performed is not a specific number. Instead, it’s not 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 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 behalf of your family, 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 in which they can pay Qurbani to a charitable organisation, like Emaan Relief. We use donations to purchase animals and carry out the Qurbani according to Islamic rules and guidelines. Once this is done, we distribute the meat across the world to those most in need.
There isn’t a set amount that needs to be given for Qurbani. The price can depend on where you are based and 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. 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.
It is always best to donate your Qurbani as soon as possible to ensure your sacrifice counts. At Emaan Relief, we carry out your Qurbani over the days of Eid al-Adha to ensure that you fulfil your obligation and reap the rewards of this holy practice. 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.
