“And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah ], and it was accepted by one of them but was not accepted by the other. Said [the latter], “I will surely kill you”, said [the former], “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].” (5:27)
What is Qurbani?
Qurbani is the practice of sacrificing an animal for Allah. This practice remembers the sacrifice of our Prophet Ibrahim (As), who was ready to sacrifice his beloved son for Allah’s command. ‘Qurbani’ is not only slaughtering an animal and distributing the meat among the poor. It is deeply rooted in sacrificing the most beloved thing or our bad nature of our ‘Nafs’ as an offering to Allah. And due to our busy lives, we often forget our key responsibilities, which are creating closeness with Allah. Qurbani helps us to reaffirm that we are completely, solemnly submitted to Allah, just like Prophet Ibrahim did so many years ago.
Well, it is prophetic story time!
Ibrahim (As) story on sacrifice:
Ismail (As) was the firstborn son of Ibrahim, grew up and was able to help his father in all sorts of work. Ibrahim (As) once got revealed of a dream in which he was told to sacrifice his son Ismail (As). Ismail (As) didn’t question the command of Allah and started to prepare mentally to sacrifice. Rather, he said, “O my father! Do as you are commanded. If Allah wills, you shall find me patient.” (Qur’an, 37:102)
Since the whole family was ready for the rituals of sacrifice, Saytan tried to convince the father and son that it was a terrible crime to sacrifice the dearest thing in the world. Defying the persuasion of Saytan, Ibrahim (as) prepared a knife to sacrifice his son and a shroud to bury him in; he couldn’t face Ismail (as), so he turned his son’s face away.
According to Ibn Kathir’s tafseer, they both remembered Allah and testified their faith in Him – Ibrahim because he was about to make a sacrifice, and Ismail because he was about to die. Then Ibrahim prepared to sacrifice his son, and when the knife was at Ismail’s neck, he heard a voice calling to him to stop. And they were commanded to sacrifice a ram instead of Ismail (As) life.
Due to the unquestioning submission, Allah rewarded and blessed them immensely. This was teaching: with each year of Qurbani, it should bring us closer to Allah. Which animal we are sacrificing doesn’t matter to Him; all that matters is that we submit ourselves wholeheartedly to Allah.
Who is eligible for Qurbani?
There are some Qurbani requirements. Eligibility is one of them. Muslims who can afford it must perform Qurbani. It is open to anybody who can afford a sacrificed animal. The following are the eligibility criteria for Qurbani:
1. A Muslim who is sane and has reached the age of puberty.
2. The person must be financially capable. They have enough wealth to perform Qurbani after fulfilling their basic needs and paying off their debts.
3. The person must have the nisab amount of wealth. Nisab is a certain minimum amount of wealth that is required for donating Zakat. The current value of silver determines it.
Although Qurbani is not farz, it is a sunnah mu’akkadah. This means Prophet Muhammad (SAW) highly recommended this for all able-bodied Muslims. Except for some exceptions, Muslims should not miss this significant sacrifice. It brings an immense amount of blessings from Allah (SWT).
Exceptions for Qurbani eligibility:
In the context of the Qurbani, there are also several important exceptions. The list of exception people for Eid-ul-Adha Qurbani are:
- Low-income families
- Women-led families
- Disabled/elderly families
- Children under five
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Families who can’t visit the market
You should offer Qurbani if you are eligible to Pay Zakat. To eliminate any confusion, you should visit your local imam. He can assist you if you have any questions or concerns about your ability for Qurbani.
When should Qurbani perform?
The time for offering Qurbani begins at sunrise following the Eid-ul-Adha prayers. It is held on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and ends at sunset on the 12th. The act of Qurbani should be carried out as soon as the Eid-ul-Adha prayers are finished.
Criteria for Animals
Qurbani involves sacrificing a specified age and size animal to feed the poor. The sort of animal slaughtered determines its age and size. A sheep or goat must be at least one year old, while a cow or bull must be two. Animals should be healthy and sacrificed humanely.
Conclusion
Qurbani is more than just a ritual, it is a deep spiritual reminder of our submission, devotion, and obedience to Allah. The story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his unwavering faith teaches us the true essence of sacrifice: letting go of what we hold dear for the sake of a greater purpose. As we perform Qurbani, let it not only be about the act of slaughtering an animal, but about renewing our faith, cleansing our hearts, and strengthening our bond with Allah. May this Eid-ul-Adha be a time of reflection, gratitude, and sincere sacrifice, bringing us closer to Him and more compassionate to those around us. Ameen.