Qurbani is the act of offering a sacrifice on Eid Al-Adha. It commemorates the supreme sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim (as) to show his total submission and gratitude towards Allah (swt). It is also one of the compulsory acts of Hajj. 

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).’’ [Al-Tirmidhi] 

The Holy Qur’an informs us that in a vision, Prophet Ibrahim (as) saw that he offered his son Isma’eel (as) in sacrifice to Allah (swt). When he shared this vision with his son, Isma’eel (as) said: “O my father! Do as you are commanded: you will find me, if Allah so wills, of the patient ones.’’ However, when Prophet Ibrahim (as) carried out the commandment, Allah (swt) replaced Isma’eel (as) with a ram.  

To remember his incredible bravery and to emulate the piety and example of one of the greatest men of Islam, donating Qurbani is considered a highly rewardable act of worship as demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). 

In developed countries, it is very difficult to perform your own Qurbani. Therefore, it is permitted to arrange for Qurbani in a different country on one’s behalf. In this case, the whole Qurbani is distributed among the poor and most vulnerable.  

Muslim Aid USA   ensures that Qurbani is performed in the country band that you choose. We then distribute the Qurbani meat to the poor.

It is recommended that the meat of the Qurbani sacrifice is shared equally in three parts between Family members of the person performing Qurbani, Relatives and friends and the poor and most vulnerable. 

Local customs and the type of animal that would be most suited to beneficiary needs, plays a huge role in the selection of animals. Therefore, it would be difficult and not practical to allocate an animal according to your requirements. 

The following animals can be sacrificed; goats, sheep, cattle and camels. It is necessary the following ruling applies, animals that are younger are not suitable for Qurbani: 

Goat; one (full) year old, whether male or female.  

Cow, Bull or Buffalo; two years old,  

Camel; five years.  

Sheep (of any kind); no less than six months old. If it is six months and is strong and healthy, this will suffice for Qurbani, otherwise it will have to be one (full) year old.  

If an animal seller stipulates that the animal has reached the required age, and outwardly there is no sign to disprove it, then it is permissible to rely on this statement. No other type of animal is allowed for Qurbani. In addition, the animals should be in good health. 

The amount of Qurbani meat distributed to the poor depends on the size of the family, therefore the amount distributed ranges from 2kg – 7kg.

Muslim Aid USA   provides fresh meat to beneficiaries. We do not provide canned or cooked meat, due to the costs involved.

The days of Qurbani are the tenth, eleventh and twelfth of Dhul Hijjah. The first day is better than the second and the second better than the last. In towns, cities and villages where Jumu’ah and Eid prayers are performed, Qurbani is not permissible before the Eid salah. However, you can and should order your Qurbani with Muslim Aid USA   any time before Eid. 

We try our best to carry out the Qurbani on Eid day, however this could extend to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, where your Qurbani will definitely be fulfilled. 

We recommend you make your payment for Qurbani as soon as possible. You can make payments right up until the end of the second day after Eid (12th of Dhul-Hijjah) before Maghrib. The time for the Qurbani sacrifice begins after the Eid prayer on Eid al-Adha and ends when the sun sets on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, a total of 3 days of sacrifice.  

Muslim Aid USA   has already estimated the required number of units and therefore have purchased the animals ready to be slaughtered after Eid.

According to most Muslims Qurbani is obligatory upon every sane male/female that has wealth in excess to his/her needs. Normally those who are eligible to pay Zakat tend to give a Qurbani – Nisab is the value of excess wealth which makes a Muslim liable for Zakat. 

We can take your Qurbani to order up until the sun sets on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. After that, you may have to pay compensation for missing the obligation. Contact your local imam for advice.  

Essentially, there is no difference between the two terms. Udhiya is an Arabic word meaning “blood sacrifice”, and ‘Qurbani’ is an Urdu and Persian word derived from the Arabic word “Qurban” which literally means an act performed to seek Allah’s pleasure. Qurbani is far more popular among the Muslims in States, but Udhiyah is also used commonly. 

This year, Muslim Aid USA   will be carrying out Qurbani in 13 countries around the world.

A person who intends to fulfill a Qurbani sacrifice should refrain from cutting their hair or nails, or removing parts of the skin, during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.* 

*Some believe that this applies to everyone who is doing a sacrifice, and some say it is only for the people who are performing Hajj.

No, as we are expecting to conduct hundreds of thousands of Qurbanis around the world, this is practically not possible. 

Muslim Aid USA   selects beneficiaries of the Qurbani program through a needs assessment carried out by staff on the ground. Typically those who will receive Qurbani are: 

Orphans 

People on low income 

Female-led families 

Members of the community who are marginalized/vulnerable 

The disabled 

Internally displaced people

Those who are suffering due to conflict or disaster.

Our established aid chain and experience of performing Qurbani will ensure that your Qurbani will be fulfilled.  Our Qurbani project, as well as all our other projects, are constantly monitored and audited.  Reports are also produced each year showing how funds were allocated.

We no longer offer canned Qurbani as it is too expensive for us to implement. Costs incurred include purchase of animal, packaging of meat and shipping the meat to the countries in need and would therefore not be the most cost-effective way to reach wider communities.

Qurbani prices generally depend on the size and type of animal, which varies across the world. Sometimes prices within the same country can also change from location to location.

You can donate a Qurbani by sending a check, cash, online muslimaidusa.org or by calling us on: 866-606-2872