Udhiya Qurbani – What It Is and Why It Is Important

Udhiya and Qurbani are two names for the same sacred act — the ritual animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha. While "Qurbani" is the term widely used in South Asian communities, "Udhiya" (أضحية) is the classical Arabic term used in Islamic jurisprudence and the Quran.

Understanding Udhiya helps you appreciate the depth of this obligation, its rulings, and the immense reward Allah has attached to it.

What Does Udhiya Mean?

The word Udhiya (plural: Adahi) comes from the Arabic root "Duha" (ضحى), referring to the forenoon — the time after sunrise when the sacrifice was traditionally performed on Eid day. The term literally means "that which is sacrificed in the morning."

In Islamic law (Fiqh), Udhiya is defined as: The sacrifice of a specific animal, during specific days, as an act of worship to Allah, commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

The terms Udhiya, Udhiyah, and Qurbani all refer to this same act of worship.

Is Udhiya Obligatory or Sunnah?

This is one of the most common questions, and scholars differ:

Hanafi Position — Wajib (Obligatory)

According to Imam Abu Hanifa, Udhiya is Wajib (mandatory) upon every sane, adult Muslim who possesses the Nisab threshold of wealth on the days of Eid. This means if you have wealth above the Nisab (equivalent to the value of 87.48g of gold or 612.36g of silver), you must sacrifice.

Evidence: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever can afford to sacrifice but does not do so, let him not approach our place of prayer." (Ibn Majah)

Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali Position — Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Emphasised Sunnah)

The majority of scholars consider it a strongly emphasised Sunnah — meaning it is highly recommended and should not be neglected without a valid reason, but leaving it does not constitute a sin.

Practical advice: Given the strong evidence and the immense reward, most scholars recommend that every Muslim who can afford it should perform Udhiya regardless of which opinion they follow.

Conditions for a Valid Udhiya

For your sacrifice to be accepted, certain conditions must be met:

Animal Requirements

Condition	Details
Type	Goat, sheep, cow, buffalo, or camel
Minimum age	Goat: 1 year, Sheep: 6 months (if it looks 1 year old), Cow/Buffalo: 2 years, Camel: 5 years
Health	Must be free from obvious defects
Shares	Goat/Sheep = 1 person, Cow/Buffalo/Camel = up to 7 people

Defects That Invalidate Udhiya

The animal must NOT be:

Blind in one or both eyes (obvious blindness)
Lame to the extent it cannot walk to the place of slaughter
Sick with an obvious illness
Extremely emaciated (very thin, no fat/marrow)
Missing more than one-third of an ear or tail (born without them is different from cut)

Minor defects (small scratches, slightly broken horn where the root is intact) do not invalidate the sacrifice.

Timing Requirements

Udhiya must be performed:

After the Eid al-Adha prayer (in areas where Eid prayer is held)
Before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah
During daylight hours (nighttime slaughter is disliked but valid according to most scholars)

The Immense Reward of Udhiya

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlighted the reward of Qurbani in numerous narrations:

For every hair on the animal, the one who sacrifices receives a good deed (reward).
The first drop of blood that falls earns forgiveness from Allah.
On the Day of Judgement, the sacrificed animal will come with its horns, hair, and hooves — nothing is wasted with Allah.
The days of sacrifice are among the best days of the entire year.

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA) reported that during the Prophet's time, a man would sacrifice a single sheep on behalf of himself and his entire household — and everyone would eat from it and share it.

How to Distribute Udhiya Meat

The Sunnah method of distribution is to divide the meat into three portions:

One-third for yourself and your family — to enjoy the blessing
One-third for relatives and friends — to strengthen bonds
One-third for the poor and needy — the most important portion

If you are giving your Udhiya to a charity like HBSMWA for overseas distribution, the entire animal is given to the poor since the primary need is to feed those who have nothing. This is perfectly valid and, in many cases, more rewarding since the need overseas far exceeds local need.

Udhiya Through HBSMWA — Fulfilment With Integrity

HBSMWA ensures your Udhiya is performed with complete adherence to Islamic guidelines:

Animals are inspected for health and age compliance
Sacrifice is performed by trained Muslim butchers on the correct days
The name of Allah is pronounced over every animal
Meat is distributed fresh to verified beneficiaries in Gaza and Pakistan
You receive photographic proof of your Udhiya being fulfilled

Common Questions About Udhiya

Can I give Udhiya on behalf of the deceased? Yes. It is permissible and rewarding to offer Udhiya on behalf of deceased parents or family members.

Can a husband and wife share one Qurbani? According to the Hanafi school, each eligible person must give separately. However, one sheep can suffice for an entire household according to other schools if only one person is eligible.

What if I forget or miss the days of Udhiya? If Udhiya was obligatory upon you and you missed it, you should give the equivalent monetary value in charity (according to Hanafi scholars). It cannot be "made up" after the 12th.

Is it better to sacrifice locally or abroad? Both are valid. However, giving to areas of greater need (like Gaza or impoverished regions of Pakistan) is considered by many scholars to carry greater reward due to the greater benefit.

Fulfil Your Udhiya This Eid al-Adha

Udhiya is not just a tradition — it is a pillar of Eid al-Adha that connects you to Prophet Ibrahim's legacy of faith, obedience, and generosity. This year, ensure your sacrifice is performed correctly and reaches those who truly need it.

Give your Udhiya through HBSMWA — where your sacrifice becomes someone else's celebration.