Qurbani Rulings and Animal Welfare

Who is Eligible for Qurbani

In Islam, everyone who is eligible to pay zakat is obliged to give Qurbani as well.

Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran:

“And complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals.”

“And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs ‘umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] – then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home].” __ (2:196).

Qurbani Rules in Islam 

There are specific and essential rules that should be applied before sacrificial a Qurbani.

Qurabni’s Health

• Their horns cannot be broken.
• They must have at least half their teeth.
• They cannot have lost a third or more of their ears or tail.
• They cannot be blind or have lost a third or more of their sight.
• They must be able to walk without limp or lameness.
• They must be well-fed and raised with care, not thin or lean.

Qurabni’s Age

1. One year old for sheep and goats (equivalent to one person’s Qurbani share).
2. Two years in age for cows and buffalo (equivalent to seven people’s Qurbani share).
3. Five years in age for camels (equivalent to seven persons’ Qurbani share).

Before Qurbani Sacrificing

Before you sacrifice Qurbani, you should know some rules:

1. Do not drive the animal to the slaughterhouse in a brutal way. Calm the animal down in remembrance of  Allah and treat it with kindness.
2. Slaughtered must be done with a sharp knife. No animal should suffer or feel the pain.
3. Do not sharpen the knives in front of the sacrificial animal.
4. No animal is to be slaughtered in front of another animal. 
5. When the sacrifice is being made, the words “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” are said.
6. The animal is not to be skinned until the body is entirely cold.

Animal Welfare Advice From the Quran and Hadith

One Hadith quotes Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as saying: 

“A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being.”.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was especially vocal in his disapproval of the cruel practices of notching and slitting of ears of animals and the practice of putting painful rings around the necks of camels. (Bukhari)

Qurbani Rules in Quran Distribution

Every eligible Muslim should provide one share of Qurbani, and parents should give a stake in the name of their children.

One small animal, such as a goat or sheep, is equivalent to one Qurbani share, while a larger animal, such as a cow or camel, is equal to seven shares and can be split between seven individuals.

Qurbani Rules for Child

Children and the mentally vulnerable are not required to give Qurbani because Qurbani is obligatory for every sane adult Muslim.

Qurbani Rules for Husband and Wife

Every able Muslim should be able to give at least one Qurbani, which is then divided into three shares. An example of one Qurbani is a small animal such as a sheep or goat.

Larger animals such as camels, cows, and buffalo can count for up to seven people’s Qurbani. The Qurbani rules for a husband and wife stipulate that they can make a joint donation, but the animal must be big enough so that each person still gives their required share.

It is common for households to donate a larger animal worth seven shares, but it is not mandatory.

Read More:

1. Sadaqah Cures Illness and Prevents Death
2. Sadaqah is an Investment in this Life and Hereafter
3. Sadaqah Opens the Gates of Paradise
4. Sadaqah Purifies Your Wealth

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