What is Qurbani?
Qurbani is a religious sacrifice of sheep, cattle, goats or camels which is made after Eid al Adha prayers, between the 10th and 12th days of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. The blessed tradition was passed down to us by our Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and Ismail (peace be upon him) reflecting on their ultimate devotion to Allah (SWT) and the sacrifices they were willing to make.
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had a series of dreams where he was being commanded to sacrifice his only, beloved son, Ismail. In his devotion to Allah (swt), Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him0 agreed to follow his dream and perform the sacrifice. Allah (SWT) intervened and sent a ram to be sacrificed in Ismail's place.
Qurbani, or Udhiyah in Arabic, means sacrifice. Every year Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, a sheep, a cow or a camel – to reflect Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for the sake of Allah (SWT).
Giving Qurbani means that you can share the joy of Eid al Adha with those in need around the world.
Your Qurbani donation will go towards feeding those who have not had a nutritious meal in months and who live in abject poverty.
How much should I give for Qurbani?
Qurbani is the Arabic word for sacrifice. Muslims all across the world sacrifice an animal — a goat, sheep, cow or camel – every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for the sake of Allah.
Last year, your Qurbani reached over 368,000 people in the world's poorest countries thanks to your generous gifts. Qurbani was spread in countries ranging from Yemen and Palestine to Pakistan, Kashmir and Africa.
This year, we aim to aid more people across the world, including those in Palestine/Gaza, Syrian refugees, and the people of Yemen who are suffering from poverty and oppression. We'd also like to share our joy with others whose suffering isn't being addressed by the world's media right now. Nobody should have to go hungry, especially during the Eid ul-Adha feast.
Please join us this year as we share Qurbani with the world's poorest people and make Eid a joyful occasion for them. Every head of household who can afford it is required to perform the Qurbani. As a bare minimum, each family head must sacrifice a sheep or 1 share of a cow.
Give your Qurbani today from as little as £14.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever offers a sacrifice after the (Eid) prayer, has completed his rituals (of Qurbani) and has succeeded in following the ways of the muslims.” (Bukhari)
Follow the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS)
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:“Whoever offers a sacrifice after the Eid prayer, has completed his rituals of Qurban and has succeeded in following the ways of the Muslims.” (Bukhari)
The animals to be slaughtered at Qurbani/ Udhiyah are sheep, goats, cattle (cows or bulls), buffalo or camels.
According to the rules of Qurbani, they can be male or female but should be in good health, free from disability or handicap, and above a certain age. Goats and sheep must be at least one year old, while cattle must be two years, and camels five years.
FAQs
Understanding the Significance of Dhul Hijjah
Dhul Hijjah is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, highly revered for its spiritual significance.
The Sacred Months
The Qur'an mentions these months as particularly important "The sacred months are Dhul-Qiʿdah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, Muḥarram, and Rajab; sin and obedience are greater in them than in other months: 'So do not wrong yourselves therein.'” [Qur'an 9:36]
During these months, both sins and good deeds carry greater weight.
The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah
The initial ten days of Dhul Hijjah are especially blessed. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized their importance: “There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days... except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything.” (Bukhari)
So significant are these days that Allah swears by them in the Qur’an, highlighting their extraordinary nature.
Why These Days Are Unique
Scholars explain that this period is distinguished by the convergence of several major acts of worship: prayer, fasting, charity, and the pilgrimage (Hajj). As Ibn Hajar notes, "in no other periods do these great deeds combine."
Historical Practices
The early generations of Muslims, known as the Salaf, were known to increase their worship during these days. Ibn Jubayr, for instance, would intensify his efforts to such an extent that he would caution others to "not turn off your lights during the nights of the first ten days (of Dhul Hijjah)." (Al-Lata’if)
Special Times and Seasons
Ibn Rajab describes how Allah has designated special times and seasons for increased worship, offering unique opportunities for divine favour and mercy. He encourages us to seize these opportunities:
"Fortunate is he who makes the most of these seasons; months, days, and hours - and grows closer to his Lord by acts of obedience - in the hope of achieving one of those grants!"
The Virtue of Dhul Hijjah
However, scholars highlight that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah surpass even the most virtuous days of Ramadan in terms of their reward and significance.
Ibn Kathir, a renowned Islamic scholar, states:
"These ten days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadan.”
Ibn al-Qayyim echoes this sentiment, emphasising:
"The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are better than the last 10 days of Ramadan.”
While Ramadan remains a highly esteemed period for worship and charity, the initial ten days of Dhul Hijjah offer an unparalleled opportunity for earning divine rewards. Therefore, maximising our charitable acts and good deeds during this time is highly encouraged to reap the extraordinary benefits it offers.
Convenience and Peace of Mind
Automated giving simplifies your charitable contributions, removing the need to remember each donation. This convenience allows you to focus on other important tasks without the added worry of managing your donations.
Discreet and Private Giving
Automated giving also provides a discreet way to donate, avoiding the pressure of public fundraising appeals. This aligns with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as mentioned in a hadith from Bukhari, which highlights the virtue of giving quietly:
“...who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity.” [Bukhari]
By choosing automated giving, you can embody this ideal of discreet charity, ensuring that your donations remain private while still supporting those in need. We hope you find this method beneficial and spiritually rewarding.
The first ten days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah are determined by the sighting of the moon, which means the exact dates can vary each year. For 2024, the anticipated dates are as follows, subject to moon sighting:
- 1st Dhul Hijjah: Expected on Friday, 7th June
- Jumuah (Fridays): Expected on 1st and 8th Dhul Hijjah
- Mondays and Thursdays (Sunnah Fasting Days): Expected on 4th and 7th Dhul Hijjah
- Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah): Expected on Saturday, 15th June
- Day of Eid, Yawm an-Nahr (10th Dhul Hijjah): Expected on Sunday, 16th June
Significance of Jumah (Friday)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that Friday is the best day of the week. Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Giving Sadaqah on Friday is better than giving it on any other day of the week.”
Greater Reward for Charity on Friday
Ibn al-Qayyim emphasised the virtue of giving charity on this blessed day:
“Charity on Fridays has an advantage and greater reward over the same on all other days. Compared to it on different days of the week, Friday's charity is such as charity during the month of Ramadan in relation to charity during other months. I saw the Sheikh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah carrying bread and other goods he had found in his house to give secretly as charity, and I heard him say: 'If Allah has commanded us to give charity before praying to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), then giving charity before praying to him is the most important and more deserving of virtues.'”
Advice from Scholars
Imam ash-Shafi’i also recommended increased charitable actions on Fridays:
"It is recommended to do a lot of charity and good on Friday days and nights.”
Maximising Rewards
By giving more Sadaqah on Fridays, you align with these teachings and maximise your rewards. The spiritual significance and the greater rewards associated with charity on this day make it an ideal time to increase your charitable efforts.
Significance of Mondays and Thursdays
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised the special nature of these days, saying:
“Deeds are presented (to Allah) on Monday and Thursday. So, I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.”
In another narration, he explained:
“The Gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays” and that "Deeds are presented to Allah on every Monday and Thursday, and Allah will forgive every slave who does not associate anything with Allah in worship, except for a person who is at odds with his brother. He shall say: 'Leave these two until they are reconciled.’" [at-Tirmidhi]
Ideal Time for Deeds and Sadaqah
During the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, many will strive to fast and increase their good deeds. Mondays and Thursdays present a unique opportunity for our deeds to be presented to Allah while we are fasting, at a time when the gates of Paradise are open. This makes it an ideal time to give Sadaqah, as it will be raised and presented to Allah at this precious moment.
Once our beloved Prophet (SAW) was asked, what is Qurbani? The Prophet (SAW) answered: ‘It is the Sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS). For every hair of the Qurbani you receive a reward from Allah (SWT).' (Hadith - Tirmidhi).
Yes, if you have the financial means. The Prophet (salalahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “he who has the capacity to sacrifice but does not do so, should not approach our musAllaah (grounds for the Eid prayer)”. This h̩adīth clearly indicates that Qurbani is an obligation on those who have the means.
The dreams of the Prophets are true, so as soon as he had seen this dream, Prophet Ibraheem (alaihi salaam) knew it was a revelation from Allaah. The story continues: “Then when they had both submitted themselves, and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead; And We called out to him: ‘O Ibraheem! You have fulfilled the dream!’ Verily! Thus, do We reward the doers of good.” So, Prophet Ibraheem and his son fulfilled the dream, they submitted themselves to Allaah and prepare themselves to carry out his command – once they did this, Allaah informed them that there was no need for the human sacrifice, Prophet Ibraheem had passed the test. Allaah presented him (alayhi salaam) with a ram to sacrifice instead. Ibn al-Qayyim said regarding this:” The purpose wasn’t for Ibrahim to kill his son, rather it was to sacrifice him in his heart, so all love belonged to Allaah alone.”
On the day of ‘Eid al-Adha that we remember the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhi salaam), and we reflect on what made him to be the strongest of the believers, a close friend of Allaah, someone whom Allaah has blessed and a leader of all the nations that follow
Its recommended to distribute the meat between yourselves and family, friends and relatives,and the poor. However, given the difficulty of performing Qurbani in the UK, Crisis Aid distribute the entire amount, in a country of your choice, to the poor.
Order Qurbani
Each person who is giving Qurbani, must give either one share (1/7) of a large animal such as a cow or a camel, or give a whole small animal such as a goat or a sheep.
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