Qurbani rules: a complete guide
Qurbani (Udhiya) is the animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha — one of the most important acts of worship in the Islamic calendar. But who exactly must give Qurbani? What are the rules? And what happens if you get it wrong?
This comprehensive guide covers every Qurbani rule you need to know — from eligibility and timing to the specific requirements for the animal, distribution, and common scenarios like giving on behalf of family members.
Who must give Qurbani?
According to the Hanafi school (the majority opinion in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Turkey), Qurbani is Wajib (obligatory) upon every:
- Muslim (non-Muslims are not obligated)
- Adult (has reached puberty — typically around 12–15 years of age)
- Sane (of sound mind)
- Non-traveller (Muqeem — settled in their city; the Hanafi definition of traveller is someone 48 miles+ from home)
- Who possesses the Nisab — wealth equal to or above the Zakat threshold (value of 87.48g gold or 612.36g silver, after basic needs)
According to Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools: Qurbani is Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly emphasised Sunnah) — highly recommended but not sinful to miss if you cannot afford it.
Key point: Qurbani is individual, not household
A common misconception is that one Qurbani covers the whole family. Under Hanafi fiqh, each eligible adult must give their own Qurbani. A husband's Qurbani does not cover his wife (if she independently owns the Nisab), and vice versa.
However, it is permissible to give Qurbani on behalf of others (children, deceased relatives) as an additional voluntary sacrifice.
At what age is Qurbani Farz?
Qurbani becomes obligatory once a person reaches puberty AND possesses the Nisab. There is no specific age — it depends on individual development:
- For boys: typically around 12–15 years (signs of puberty)
- For girls: typically around 9–14 years (onset of menstruation)
If a 13-year-old has reached puberty and possesses Nisab-level wealth (e.g., through gifts, savings, gold jewellery), Qurbani is Wajib upon them according to the Hanafi school.
For children below puberty: Qurbani is not obligatory on them. However, many parents give Qurbani on behalf of their children as a voluntary good deed. According to Imam Abu Hanifa, it is not Wajib upon the parent to give on behalf of a child, though some scholars recommend it.
Qurbani Nisab 2026 — how much wealth makes it obligatory?
The Nisab for Qurbani is the same as for Zakat:
| Standard | Amount | Approximate value (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Nisab | 87.48g | ~£5,600 / PKR 1,875,000 |
| Silver Nisab | 612.36g | ~£450 / PKR 120,000 |
Important: You use whichever Nisab makes more people eligible. Since the silver Nisab is much lower, most scholars apply this threshold — meaning anyone with savings/assets worth approximately £450+ (after basic needs and debts) is likely eligible.
Assets counted toward Nisab include:
- Cash and bank savings
- Gold and silver (all forms)
- Trade stock and business inventory
- Investment properties (not your primary residence)
- Shares, crypto, and other liquid investments
Not counted: Primary home, personal car, clothing, household furniture, tools of trade.
When must Qurbani be performed?
Qurbani must be performed within a specific window:
- Starts: After the Eid al-Adha prayer on 10th Dhul Hijjah
- Ends: Before sunset on 12th Dhul Hijjah (some scholars extend to 13th)
- Duration: Approximately 3 days
Any sacrifice performed before the Eid prayer or after sunset on the 12th does not count as Qurbani — it would be considered a regular charity (Sadaqah).
For 2026: Eid al-Adha is expected on 27th May, meaning Qurbani days are 27th, 28th, and 29th May 2026 (subject to moon sighting).
Rules for the Qurbani animal
Accepted animals and minimum ages
| Animal | Minimum age | Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Goat | 1 full year | 1 share (1 person) |
| Sheep | 6 months (if it looks 1 year old) | 1 share (1 person) |
| Cow | 2 full years | Up to 7 shares |
| Buffalo | 2 full years | Up to 7 shares |
| Camel | 5 full years | Up to 7 shares |
Defects that invalidate the animal
The following defects make an animal unacceptable for Qurbani:
- Blind — completely blind in one or both eyes
- Lame — so lame it cannot walk to the place of slaughter on its own
- Sick — visibly ill (not minor ailments)
- Extremely thin/emaciated — with no fat or marrow in bones
- Ear cut — more than one-third of the ear missing
- Tail cut — more than one-third of the tail missing
- Born without ears — (no ears at all; small ears are fine)
- Horn broken from root — (tip breakage without bleeding is acceptable)
- Teeth mostly fallen — cannot graze normally
Acceptable minor issues:
- Small horn damage (not from root)
- Minor scratches or scars
- Branded markings
- Slightly torn ear (less than one-third)
- Castrated animals (actually preferred by some scholars for meat quality)
Rules for the person giving Qurbani
Before Qurbani:
- Intention (Niyyah): Make intention that this sacrifice is your Wajib Qurbani for the pleasure of Allah
- Hair and nails: It is Mustahabb (recommended) not to cut hair or trim nails from 1st Dhul Hijjah until your Qurbani is completed. This is Sunnah, not Wajib — missing it does not affect the validity.
During the sacrifice:
- Must be performed by a Muslim (or with a Muslim's clear instruction if delegating)
- Say "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar" at the time of slaughter
- The animal should face the Qiblah
- A sharp knife must be used for a swift, humane cut
- The oesophagus, windpipe, and jugular veins must be severed
- The animal should not see the knife beforehand or watch another animal being slaughtered
- Allow the blood to drain completely before skinning
Qurbani rules for husband and wife
A common question: does the husband's Qurbani cover the wife?
Hanafi ruling: No. If both husband and wife independently possess Nisab, each must give their own Qurbani. They are separate obligations.
Practical scenarios:
- Wife owns gold jewellery worth above Nisab → Qurbani is Wajib on her individually
- Wife has no personal wealth above Nisab → Qurbani is not obligatory on her
- Husband gives Qurbani "on behalf of the family" → This only fulfils his own obligation, not his wife's
However: A wife can request her husband to arrange her Qurbani from her money, or he can give an additional voluntary Qurbani as a gift on her behalf.
Qurbani rules for family members
Children:
- Qurbani is not obligatory on children who have not reached puberty
- Parents may give voluntary Qurbani on their behalf (recommended by many scholars)
- If a child owns Nisab-level wealth (e.g., from inheritance or gifts), there is scholarly difference — most Hanafi scholars say it is still not Wajib until puberty
Deceased relatives:
- You can give voluntary Qurbani on behalf of deceased parents, grandparents, or any Muslim
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to sacrifice for himself, his family, and his Ummah
- The reward reaches the deceased, InshaAllah
- This does NOT fulfil your own Wajib Qurbani — it is additional
Pregnant women:
- If she possesses Nisab, Qurbani is Wajib on her (pregnancy does not create an exemption)
Distribution of Qurbani meat
The Sunnah method is to divide into three equal parts:
- One-third for yourself and your household
- One-third for relatives, friends, and neighbours (including non-Muslim neighbours)
- One-third for the poor and needy
Important notes:
- Giving the entire animal to the poor is valid and potentially more rewarding
- The skin should be given to the poor or to a charitable cause (not sold for personal use)
- You cannot pay the butcher from the meat — pay them separately
- When donating overseas through HBSMWA, the entire animal goes to the needy (this is valid as you waive your share)
What if you miss Qurbani?
If Qurbani was Wajib upon you and you did not sacrifice during the 3 days:
- Hanafi ruling: You must give the value of a Qurbani animal in charity (not the meat — the cash equivalent)
- This is a debt that does not expire — it remains an obligation until fulfilled
- You cannot "make up" Qurbani by sacrificing later — only monetary value is accepted after the window closes
Can you give Qurbani online?
Yes. Islamic jurisprudence fully supports appointing an agent (Wakeel) to perform Qurbani on your behalf. When you donate through HBSMWA:
- You are appointing HBSMWA as your Wakeel
- We perform the sacrifice on the correct days with your name/intention
- The meat is distributed to the poor in Pakistan and Gaza
- You receive photo proof of fulfilment
This has been the practice of scholars and Muslims for centuries — the Prophet's companions would appoint others to sacrifice on their behalf when unable to do so personally.
Give your Qurbani through HBSMWA
Whether you are giving your Wajib Qurbani, a voluntary sacrifice on behalf of family members, or honouring a deceased loved one — HBSMWA ensures every sacrifice is:
- Shariah-compliant (animal inspection, correct method, proper timing)
- Distributed to verified beneficiaries
- Documented with photo evidence
- Delivered with a 100% donation policy
Fulfil your Qurbani obligation with confidence — donate through HBSMWA today.