The Fiqh & Rules of Qurbani and Udhiyah | Imam Nadim Bashir | Isha Khatirah
By Imam Nadim Bashir | 2026-06-05T04:49:31.399013+00:00 | Topic: Hajj
The Beautiful Days of Dhul Hijjah
Alhamdulillah, we are in these beautiful days of Dhul Hijjah and a time where we are reminded about Ibrahim (AS), the sacrifices of the family of Ibrahim (AS). And subhanAllah, every single person who is going for Hajj, they will be reviving not only the legacy of Ibrahim (AS), but in essence, the legacy of the entire family of Ibrahim (AS). They will be reviving the practices of Hajar (AS), Ismail (AS).
Lessons from the Prophets
So in essence, this is a really good time and I always recommend that during these days, we should try to sit down with our children and ask them and talk to them about what do we learn from the story of Ibrahim (AS). There's a reason why there are two stories that are mentioned in very much detail in the Qur'an. There is one, Ibrahim (AS) and the second one is who? Which other prophet is mentioned the most in the Qur'an? Musa (AS). Why are they both mentioned? Because Ibrahim (AS) teaches us what does it mean to be an Ummah, right? He was the very first person to establish Tawheed in Mecca. And not only that, but from the story of Musa (AS), we learn about as being an Ummah, that was an Ummah, Bani Israel was an Ummah. And what he went through, this was a consolation to Rasulullah (SAW). But at the same time, a lesson for all of us, that Allah is telling us that you make sure do not commit the same crimes and the same wrongdoings as Bani Israel did.
So that is why it's extremely important that we sit down. See, one is that our kids may go to Sunday school, our kids may go to even Islamic school. That's no problem. But especially if your kids are going to public school and they're not getting any kind of Islamic knowledge or any dose of Islamic knowledge, it is absolutely imperative that we sit down with them and we teach them something from the story of Ibrahim (AS). And perhaps the greatest thing that we learn from his story is submission. How he submitted to Allah, how his wife submitted to Allah, how his child submitted to Allah.
The Great Test of Ibrahim (AS)
So that is why it is extremely important that we try to cover, we talk about these kind of things in these days. Of course the greatest thing that Ibrahim (AS) did, as Allah said after this:
This was a great test on Ibrahim (AS). This was perhaps the final or the greatest challenge Allah sent to Ibrahim (AS). And he was able to pass this test with flying colors, and which was to sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah. Again, it was a test from Allah.
The Command to Sacrifice
So every single month of the hijjah that comes around, for those of us who are not going for hajj, we always try to perform this udhiyyah or this qurbani. And every year we go through some of the key details of this ritual, of this act that we perform. But at the same time, it's always good that every single year we have some kind of a reminder for all of us.
The very first thing is that Allah tells Rasulullah (SAW), he reveals to him:
That indeed we have given you an abundance. This was a time where Allah - what happened was, the son of the Prophet (SAW) passed away, and at that time some of the Quraysh, they came and they said that Muhammad has been cut off. The idea behind that expression was that they always believe that a person's lineage is only continued through their sons. So now that Muhammad had a son but he died, hence the lineage or the legacy of Muhammad is cut off. Allah responded to them by saying:
It's not Muhammad who has been cut off. You are the people who have been cut off. And this is something that you will see throughout the entire Qur'an. Some of the words that they would use against the Prophet (SAW), Allah will take the same words and respond to the Quraysh in many cases.
So nonetheless, at that time Allah says to the Prophet (SAW), Indeed, we have given you an abundance. An abundance of what? This is open to much tafsir. I don't want to get into this tafsir right now. But what is the best form of showing that gratitude to Allah?
Pray to Allah and perform nahar. Nahar means إهراق الدم which is to sacrifice an animal. So that is why every single time we come at this time of the year, we always try to remind ourselves to go and on the day of Eid try to go and perform some udhiyah and some qurbani.
The Importance of Local Sacrifice
I've said this before, I'm going to say this again. Especially for those of us here who have... I know that many times people might send some money overseas because it's the easiest way out. You send some money overseas, someone will take care of it. You don't have to worry about it. You save yourself from the hassle of going to a farm, picking out an animal. You don't have to worry about that. Even here in America as it is, there's not much work that we do. Even if you went to the farms and picked out your animal, there's still not much work to do. Compare that to overseas, right? Over there, you buy an animal, you bring it, you attach it to your home. While you're going to the masjid, you pay a visit. On your way back, you pay a visit. And naturally what happens is that you build up an attachment to that animal. It's human nature. But then on the day of Eid comes, on the day of Eid, now you have to sacrifice that animal, right? And so there is some kind of pain that goes through your heart at that moment that you took care of this animal, you have built up an attachment, you may have given it a name also. Now you have to sacrifice it. It's difficult.
Here in America, it's the complete opposite. Even if you went to the farm, you purchased an animal, there are the ones who are taking care of the animal. Why? Because usually the farms are so far out that because of our busy schedules, we're unable to go and see the animal. So we purchased the animal, we have a tag perhaps, we have a number, and then on the day of Eid we go and we sacrifice it. So really there is no psychological sense of sacrifice here, if you know what I mean.
But nonetheless, still I always recommend, especially if you have sons, especially if you have sons, please make sure you make it a point to take your sons and show them how qurbani is done, how udhiyah is done. You see our kids, they see a spider and they run 10 miles away, right? They get scared of the smallest things. But if you go overseas, subhanAllah, these young guys, they know how to do sacrifice, they know how to do qurbani. So we got to make our young men stronger, right? We got to make them stronger. So that's why I always recommend that we try to take our boys and make sure they do qurbani and udhiyah.
Prophetic Teachings on Sacrifice
Now Rasulullah (ﷺ) says in a hadith:
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 8273)
The Prophet (ﷺ) says, whoever has the ability to perform an udhiyah and they do not perform an udhiyah, then they should not come close to the place of prayer. This is Rasulullah (ﷺ) trying to emphasize on the importance of going and performing udhiyah.
At the same time there's a hadith narrated by Aisha (RA) where the Prophet (ﷺ) said, the son of Adam does not do any deed on the day of sacrifice that is dear to Allah than sacrificing an animal and spilling that blood. It will come on the day of judgment. Meaning this animal will come on the day of judgment with his horns, his hooves and his hair. Its blood is accepted in the eyes of Allah before it reaches even the ground.
And this is something that has been supported in another verse of the Qur'an where Allah says:
Allah is not the one who benefits from this. But by doing this, this is a sign of our taqwa. So that is why we try to always make it a point that we try to perform udhiyah.
Is Qurbani Obligatory or Recommended?
Now the question is, is it a must to perform udhiyah? There are two major opinions. The very first opinion is majority of the scholars, they say that it is considered as a sunnah. The reason why it's considered as a sunnah is because Rasulullah (ﷺ), he sacrificed an animal on the day of Eid. And he says that this is from me. هَذَا عَنِّي وَعَمَّنْ لَمْ يُضَحِّ This is from me and for the person who did not perform the udhiyah from my ummah. So based on this, the ulema they say that it is a sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ).
However, if you look at all the ahadith, and the amount of emphasis that is placed on qurbani or udhiyah, that is why Imam Abu Hanifa is the second opinion and he states that if a person has or they are eligible to give zakat, they are eligible to give zakat, meaning their wealth reaches a certain threshold which in the books of fiqh is called an-nisaab. So if you have a certain amount of gold, or you have an amount of silver, or you have a certain amount of cash equivalent to gold or silver, then you are required to give zakat. If there is a person who is required to give zakat, then they must give or they must perform the qurbani or the udhiyah.
Who Must Perform Qurbani?
Now, a lot of times for the men here because they have jobs and assets and things of that type, they are usually giving their zakat on an annual basis. If you're not giving your zakat, you need to be giving your zakat. At the same time, many of our women, mashaAllah, they have a lot of gold stored at home. Now, according to the rules of Imam Abu Hanifa, usually many women they have gold that surpasses the amount of nisaab or that threshold amount. In that case, either they can give the qurbani on their behalf or the husband can give the qurbani on their behalf. It does not matter as long as a qurbani should be done on their behalf.
Now, you see many families that they may have two, three children, four children, five children, and the husband and wife are required to give zakat. Hence, they are the ones who are performing qurbani or udhiyah. But then, what about the children? Or does the father have to pay the qurbani or the udhiyah on behalf of the children? Again, because according to this rule, they are not required to give or to do qurbani or udhiyah. Therefore, if the parents want to do it on their behalf, it's absolutely fine. Because many times, even especially if you're doing your qurbani overseas, then you're not benefiting from the meat. It gets distributed amongst the people who are the needy and the poor. So sometimes they want to do it on behalf of their children. So their children will get some hasanat and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. But are you absolutely required to do it on behalf of your children? And the answer is no. You're not absolutely required to do it on behalf of your children.
Practical Considerations
So these are two different opinions that we find. And of course, once again, you do what's easier for you and for your family. Even right now, I believe two weeks ago, for around a week or 10 days, there were multiple organizations that were coming. And everyone, I mean many people who I've talked to, they want to perform qurbani or udhiyah. But at the same time, they're trying to find something that is economically reasonable also. So what happens is that there are some people who may have gone to a certain country because it is cheaper there. Whatever you can do, do that inshallah. I remember, I think I saw one place. I don't remember the country. But a cow, for example, was almost $1,200. A cow was $1,200.
Practical Considerations for Qurbani
So that is why it becomes very difficult for the family even though a cow or even a camel. In many places, they do camel also. A cow or a camel has seven shares. So even if it's $1,200, it can be divided. But still, it can become quite expensive. Even some places where some people, I remember a brother told me that he went to Austin and over there, just buying one goat was $400. So it's, of course, inflation hits everything, right? Inflation affects everything. So that is why you will see that these kind of things are happening. But at the same time, do what's easiest for you and for your family.
No Alternative to Udhiyah
Now, is there any other alternative to udhiyah? Like if a person says, I'll just give the money or I'll just do something. There is no other alternative to udhiyah. Either you do the udhiyah yourself or you give it to a reliable organization that will actually do the udhiyah on your behalf. But there is no other alternative into that. Meaning that if a person says, "Okay, if it's $400 for a goat, for example, or a sheep, then I'll take that $400 and give it as a sadaqah to some poor person" - that will not be sufficient as an udhiyah. There are two different things. So these are things that we have to keep in mind.
Animal Shares and Age Requirements
Now, of course, we all know that when it comes to a cow, when it comes to a camel or a bull, like especially like in other places like in India and some of those kind of places, they will do even a bull, they will do ox, they will do even buffalo. So whether anything that is classified as a cow or resembles - like close to a cow or a camel, it has seven shares. Everything else, whether it's a goat or a sheep or a ram, it is all considered as one share.
Now, of course, it is absolutely important that when it comes to looking at the animal, as we have learned from the books of fiqh, that a camel has to be five years of age, a cow or a bull or an ox or a buffalo should be at least two years of age, and the goat or the sheep or the ram should be at least one year of age. If there are certain signs that shows that sometimes there are sheep or goats that may be only more than... They're not one year old, but they're past six months. But they have certain signs to them that sort of resembles that they have passed a year of one age. In that case, the ulema have stated that it is absolutely permissible to give... It's absolutely permissible.
Now, of course, as I said earlier, that if you want to give one qurbani on behalf of the entire family, that's absolutely fine too, okay? There's nothing wrong with that. Making sure that the animal has no defect in it, that's absolutely a must.
Use of Animal Parts and Meat Distribution
At the same time, again, here we don't have this culture. I remember when I was a kid memorizing Qur'an, this is back in 1989 in Pakistan when I was there, I saw this culture over there that people would take the animal. After slaughtering the animal, they would take the skin of the animal and they will begin to donate it. They began to donate it to different places. So they would go and use that to give it to the people who are in need. It's absolutely fine to do that, but you should not be selling it. Even when it comes to qurbani meat, you should not be selling the qurbani meat. It should be given out to those who are in need or even for yourself, you can do that.
Timing and Hair/Nail Guidelines
Now, one thing that is extremely important to understand is that the qurbani cannot be done before you pray Salatul Eid. However, if you have sent your money overseas for them to do it, then in most cases, your qurbani probably will take place already. The reason why this is important is because you should always stay in touch with those people who are performing your qurbani or udhiyah.
As we know Rasulullah ﷺ has also taught us that anyone who's performing qurbani or udhiyah, they should stay away or refrain from cutting any hair or nails. Now, if a person does cut their hair or their nails before the qurbani takes place, there is no kaffarah, there is no penalty for it because the Prophet ﷺ's hadith states that it's a recommendation. It's highly recommended. It is not a must. It is not a fardh. But at the same time, you should always try to make sure.
I personally, if I'm sending my money overseas, I will not cut my hair or my nails, even in preparation for Eid until I have got confirmation from overseas that the qurbani has been done. So you just have to be a little on it. Just because Eid is coming and you want to look good when you're going to the masjid, making sure that... First, try to make sure that your qurbani has been done. This is something that is extremely important.
You know, I remember, I saw this one time overseas, that Salat al-Fajr was not even done yet. Salat al-Fajr, I was walking towards, I was walking to the masjid. It was the morning of Eid. I was walking for Fajr. And here, I mean, people were going for Fajr and the butchers are coming, taking the animals and they're about to put them down for qurbani. It's not even allowed. Eid has not taken place yet. So that is why, make sure you perform your Eid first and then go and perform qurbani if you need to do so. So, these are a few things.
Qurbani on Behalf of the Deceased
Now, of course, a few other questions, إن شاء الله I'll wrap it up. The question many people have asked is, can I do a qurbani or udhiyah on behalf of someone who has passed away? This is a question that gets often asked. What the ulema generally state is that it is absolutely fine, but try to pair it up with something else. For example, if you're doing a cow, you might be doing one share on your behalf, one share on behalf of your wife, probably let's say you have two children or three children, you're doing three more shares for your children. Out of seven, you still have two remaining shares. You're doing them for perhaps your parents, that's absolutely fine, you can do that. Generally speaking, because the hadith about sadaqah jariyah or doing something good for someone else are quite general, that is why many ulema have stated that if you give a qurbani on behalf of someone else or who has passed away, it is absolutely fine.
Qurbani on Behalf of the Prophet ﷺ
At the same time, I have seen this question also circulating quite a bit that people have this nature, and this is something that you see overseas more often than here, that people say that, what about giving a qurbani on behalf of Rasulullah ﷺ? Now of course, the Prophet ﷺ has made immense amount of sacrifices for us. There's no question about that. But do we find any kind of hadith of the Prophet ﷺ or any action of the sahaba رضي الله عنهم where they were actually performing qurbani on behalf of Rasulullah ﷺ? The answer is no, you don't find that often.
So if you really want to show your love and appreciation for Rasulullah ﷺ, the best way to show your appreciation is to follow the life of Rasulullah ﷺ. The best way to be like the Prophet ﷺ is to have the akhlaq and the character like the Prophet ﷺ. That is if you want to be close to the Prophet ﷺ. But we don't generally find anything that... where people were actually performing a qurbani on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ. So these are a few things that we just keep in mind إن شاء الله.
Proper Slaughtering Procedures
Especially for those of you who are going and performing qurbani or udhiyah, please make sure that you have all the rules in mind. For example, do not ever sacrifice an animal in front of another animal. This is something that is key. Do not make sure that if you are going to be using a knife, make sure the knife is extremely sharp so that the cutting process is very swift.
Islamic Method vs. Conventional Slaughter
You know, I remember I just saw an Instagram clip of someone. You know, like especially with these Islamophobic people, they have this habit of using certain words, right? To give like a very gruesome kind of a picture in front of someone who is not familiar with how things work. If you go to these American slaughterhouses, what they do is that a lot of times they will cut, they will shoot the animal in the head. When it comes to like cows for example, they will shoot them in the head. And then they will start to cut them. A lot of times when you shoot an animal in the head, there is no guarantee that their life is gone. Right? There is no guarantee that they are completely lifeless.
The system that Islam teaches us ensures because from a scientific perspective, what happens is that when you cut an animal from the throat, what happens is that because the blood is supposed to be going to the brain, right? When you cut the animal, then the blood starts coming out and the brain is no longer getting that blood or its oxygen. So it sends like this warning signals throughout the entire body that send the blood. You get it? It sends the blood. Now when the body goes into that state of... You know, it goes into that... It goes into that state where the body is sending signals throughout the entire body that send the blood all the way to the brain. Before it gets to the brain, it comes out. You understand? So hence the way our deen has taught us is that when you cut an animal from the jugular vein, the ruh of the animal comes out very quickly. The pain process is very very minimal. Like there's hardly any process. The animal dies instantaneously.
Whereas people will say that this is a gruesome way, right? Of killing an animal. Where they don't realize that the way they do it in these butcher... in these butcher places or these slaughter homes, the way they do it, that's called gruesome. That's called inhumane... Inhumane way of taking the life of an animal. So then they will say like, you know, this is how they would portray it. That... And she... And that lady, she was an Islamophobic lady. But she used a certain word. I cannot remember it. But it gave the impression that the Islamic way of killing an animal is extremely gruesome.
And by the way, even if you study Jewish theology and Jewish history, they would cut their animals or they would sacrifice their animals the same exact way. Because this is the easiest way for the animal. Again, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala create these animals for our benefit. But at the same time, we try to make sure that we understand all these rules when it comes to the animal.
Proper Technique
Making sure that you lie down the animal, you make sure that even... Even if you have never done this, you take the head and you turn it all the way around. That the throat and the veins are completely like on the outskirts. And then you do... Even if you do one good two or three slits or the movement of the knife, the animal, the ruh, comes out very quickly of the animal. So that is why we try to make sure that if you are planning to go on that day and perform udhiyah, then make sure you do it the right way.
Recent Challenges at Slaughterhouses
Another brother sent me a message. I'm not sure how many of you are doing it here. And if you're doing over here, there was a brother who came to me and said that because of all the Islamophobia that is taking place, a lot of these slaughterhouses are starting to get some pressure also. So there was a slaughterhome where a Muslim brother went to and he says that, you cannot get it done here unless you go and he gave him a form. I don't know what form it was. But you have to go and get assigned by your religious leader and things of that type. This is something new. I've never seen it before. But if you have something like this where you were given a form, you can just bring it to me إن شاء الله. I can take care of it. But I think these are just very few selected slaughterhomes. It's not a common occurrence. It's not something that's mainstream.
Current Challenges and Vigilance
But if you look at all the Islamophobia that is spreading, I wouldn't be shocked if they try to put more pressure on these kind of things. So these are things that we just have to keep in mind. I ask Allah to grant all of us tawfiq inshaAllah. May Allah, for those of us who are going to be doing qurbani, may Allah accept your qurbani.
The San Diego Incident
And finally, I will say that I'm sure all of you, I was about to mention this at the beginning but I forgot to. I'm sure that you all have been following the news of what happened in San Diego. This is a direct result of all the Islamophobia that is taking place. SubhanAllah.
So we know that, first of all, one of the security guards at that San Diego masjid, he has lost his life. May Allah have mercy on him. May Allah have mercy on his soul. May Allah grant his family sabr al jameel, ameen ya rabb al alameen. But subhanAllah, you know, his social media, his post has gone viral about how he always had this desire that how he wanted to die for the sake of Allah. Allah has accepted his dua. And so we ask Allah to make it easy for his family.
At the same time, two other people have passed away. May Allah have mercy on them. Alhamdulillah, there was a school right next door. Alhamdulillah, all the children are safe. Everyone else is safe. But again, these are things, unfortunate realities that we all are facing.
The Root of Current Islamophobia
And this is a direct result of all the Islamophobia that these people, especially the Zionists, they are making this a sincere point or they're making a concentrated effort to really give people this skewed version of what Islam is. If you look at how things have unfolded, when the so-called ceasefire took place, you remember that ceasefire that took place? The so-called ceasefire. SubhanAllah, it seems like right overnight, overnight this wave of Islamophobia is trying to take shape in America.
And subhanAllah, it's because they ask themselves, this country, this apartheid country, when they are receiving so much negativity, when there's so much hate being spread against them, then of course this goes against their entire agenda. They thought that we can create this entire scene, attack them, and the entire world will hate them. But Allah has a plan also.
It is indeed, without a doubt, they are the ones who have become the most hated people on the face of this earth. So now it is their agenda, it is their agenda to try to paint Muslims as people who are radical, people who are here to take over for example. And subhanAllah, you see their actions and what they're doing.
Protection and Trust in Allah
So always keep an eye out for your family, always try to take care of your family. Of course, you take care of your family, the rest is in the hands of Allah. قَدَرُ اللَّهِ مَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ
So we ask Allah to protect us, our masajid, our Islamic institutions. May Allah protect our community members, wherever they may be around the United States or anywhere around the world. May Allah protect them all. Ameen ya rabb al alameen. Wa jazakumullahu khairan.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته