You must aim to give your Qurbani donation in a timely manner. Islamic Relief aims to implement all Qurbanis over three days (10th to 12th Dhul Hijjah).
The time for sacrifice ends when the sun sets on the fourth day. Therefore, you can make payments right up until the end of the third day after Eid (13th of Dhul-Hijjah) before Maghrib salah. However, we advise giving your Qurbani as early as possible.
Note: There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars as to whether Qurbani can be done over three or four days. To respect this difference of opinion, Islamic Relief strives to perform Qurbani in three days. We only extend into the fourth day in localities where this is religiously accepted by the local Muslim population. – and if there is an operational need for this extra day.
We purchase the animals to be slaughtered in advance based on forecasted quotas. Hence if you give a Qurbani on any of these days, the Qurbani will be carried out in time.
Which animals can be sacrificed?
The animals which are eligible should meet minimum requirements, such as the age of the animal for Qurbani and their condition, including:
- Sheep/Goats: should be at least one year in age (this is equivalent to one person’s Qurbani)
- Cows/Buffalo: should be at least two years in age (this is equivalent to seven people’s Qurbani)
- Camels: should be of at least five years in age (enough for seven people’s Qurbani)
In addition, all animals must be healthy and free of disease, including the following conditions:
- They cannot be excessively thin or lean
- They must be able to walk themselves to the site of the slaughter
- They cannot be toothless, or missing over half their teeth
- They must not be blind or one-eyed
- They must not have a lame leg that is sufficiently weak that they are unable to walk on it
How to slaughter a Qurbani animal?
For a slaughter of an animal to be counted as Qurbani, it is essential that the slaughter is carried out humanely following Qurbani rules. Below are some of the rules that should be followed:
- A sharp knife must be used to carry out the Qurbani – dull knives may inflict unnecessary pain and suffering
- Knives must not be sharpened in front of the sacrificial animal
- No animal can be slaughtered in front of another animal
- When the sacrifice is being made, the words “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” must be recited
- The animal can not to be skinned until the body is entirely cold
Qurbani Rules: Offering a sacrifice comes with restrictions