What is Qurbani in Islam

hajj

What is Qurbani?


Qurbani means sacrificing animals on the day of Eid-ul-Adha. This act of sacrificing is compulsory for every Muslim who is capable of performing it. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhul Hijja, which marks the completion of the annual Hajj.

To know about "What is Hajj and Its Procedure".

When was the Qurbani started introduced in past?

Sacrifice began in the time of Ibraham (Peace Be Upon Him) and Ishmael (Peace Be Upon Him). Through sacrifice, God tested His prophets. There was a time when Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was sleeping and he saw in a dream in which Allah asked Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice something precious and beautiful for him. He (AS) had this dream three times. Then he understood what God wanted from him.


When Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) started sacrificing his son in the way of Allah, then Allah Almighty sent animals from heaven for sacrifice. This is the reality of sacrifice. In this way, Allah tested His Prophets and Allah makes it compulsory for the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).


Who can present the Qurbani?

It is offered by those Muslims who have reached the age of intellectual or adulthood and have 52.5 tolas of silver, or equivalent wealth. And Qurbani is not compulsory for children and the poor.

Which animals are sacrificed?

The list of animals includes sheep, goats, buffaloes, cows, oxen and camels. Animals can be male or female, but they must be in good health. In Islam, there are age limits for different animals which are:

  • A cow or bull should be two years old.
  • A goat should be one year old.
  • Sheep can be up to 6 months old but look healthy.
  • The camel should be five years old.


According to Islam, a sheep and a goat will be accepted from one person and it is a small animal for sacrifice. A camel, cow, ox and buffalo will be accepted from Seven persons.

Animals that are not used for sacrifice:

  • Missing one (or more) of their tail or ear, through loss or since birth
  • Extremely thin or lean creatures.
  • Blind, one-eyed
  • Whose horns are broken from their roots.
  • Weak animals are unable to walk on the slaughterhouse.
  • Toothless animals

A beautiful hadith for those who offer sacrifices:

In the days of sacrifice, there is no one closer to Allah than the sacrifice of animals.The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgment-Qiyamah with its hair, horns, and hooves. Sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the earth. Therefore, offer the sacrifice with an open and happy heart.


Allah says in the Holy Quran: So turn in prayer towards your Lord (Allah) and sacrifice (Qurbani). {108.2}

Hazrat Zayd Ibn Arqam (RA) relates that the Companions (RA) asked from Prophet (PBUH), O Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) what is Qurbani? He answered, “It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS)”.
They asked again. What benefit do we get from it? He replied. A reward for every hair (animal).
And (what reward is there for the animal with) wool,
O Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)?
They asked.
A reward, He (PBUH) said,
For every fibre of the wool.
[Ibne Majah]

 
The time of sacrifice begins after the Eid prayers on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and ends before sunset on the 12th of Dhul-Hijja.


Muslims celebrate this day by distributing the meat of defamed animals to the poor who cannot offer sacrifices. So most people divide all the meat into three parts, first for themselves, second for the neighbours and third for the relatives.

There are many sacred Places in Makkah and its surrounding areas in which Jabal Thawr is one of sacred Places.