Qurbani (Sacrifice)

6th April 2007

Allat ta’aala says:
It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him… (Surah 22, Verse 37)

Days of Qurbani
The days of Qurbani are the tenth, eleventh and twelfth of Dhul Hijjah. The first day is better than the second, and the second is better than the last.

Time of Qurbani
In towns and cities where Jumu’ah and ‘Eid are performed, Qurbani is not permissible before the ‘Eid salaah. If the Qurbani has been offered before the ‘Eid salaah, it will have to be repeated. Therefore, the time for Qurbani commences after the ‘Eid salaah on 10th Dhul Hijjah until sunset of the 12th Dhul Hijjah. It is permissible, but not preferable to perform Qurbani at night.

Virtues of Qurbani
Qurbani is a practice commanded by Allah:

… So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice (animals). (108:2)

• There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart. (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
• Zayd Ibn Arqam radiallahu anhu relates that the Companions radiallahu ‘anhum asked, “Oh Rasulullah (saw)! What is Qurbani?” He replied, “It is the sunnah of your father Ibraheem alayhis salaam. They asked again, “What benefit do we get from it?” He answered, “A reward for every hair (of the sacrificed animal).” “And (what reward is there for animals with) wool, oh Rasulullah (saw)?” they asked. “A reward,” he said, “for every fibre of the wool.” (Ibn Majah)

On Whom is Qurbani Wajib?
Qurbani is wajib on every Muslim who is of sound mind, mature (who has reached the age of puberty), muqeem (i.e. he is not a Shar’ee traveller) and possesses the amount of fifty-two and a half tolas of silver (613.35 grammes) or wealth equivalent to that value which is in excess of one’s aslee (basic) needs. It is not necessary that this amount be in one’s possession for a complete lunar year. Its possession during the three days of Qurbani will make Qurbani obligatory. Qurbani is not incumbent on a child or an insane person whether they own wealth equivalent to the amount above or not, nor is it wajib upon their guardians to perform it on their behalf. NB A Shar’ee traveller is he who goes on a journey with an intention of travelling forty-eight miles. He will be treated as a traveller as soon as he goes out of his town.

Qurbani on behalf of the Deceased
If one has been favoured by Allah with wealth, then he should also perform Qurbani on behalf of Rasulullah (saw), his Sahabah (ra), his Ummah, the Prophets (as) and for his own living or deceased relatives, friends and teachers who have conveyed Deeni knowledge.
One should always remember and never overlook our beloved Prophet (saw) and perform Qurbani on his behalf. Aboo Talhah (ra) has related that the Prophet (saw) sacrificed one ram and while sacrificing the other he said, “This is on behalf of every one of my Ummah who believed in me and testified to my Prophethood.” (Tabrani)
It is a matter for deep thought and consideration that the Prophet (saw) kept his Ummah in his mind while offering the sacrifice and it is deplorable for the Ummah not to remember this at the time of Qurbani.

Mufti Yusuf Danka (CMIC)