Qurbani & Aqeeqah

Qurbani also known as Udhiyah in Arabic, is the word that describes the sacrifice of an animal to Allah (swt) during the period of EidulAdha.

On Eid Ul Adha, which marks the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Muslim world celebrates and honours the tradition of the Prophet Ibrahim (Alahi Salaam) by sacrificing an animal and distributing the meat to those in need.

The general rule is that Qurbani should be performed by adults of sane mind and affordable means. The Hanafi ulema say it is wajib (obligatory) while the other schools of jurisprudence say it is sunnah. However, it is generally agreed that if a person can afford Qurbani, they should perform it.

If you have any questions or doubts about this aspect of Qurbani, please consult your local shaykh, imam or mosque.

The animals to be slaughtered at Qurban are goats, sheep, 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.

• 1 small animal (Sheep or Goat) = 1 Qurbani
• 1 large animal (Cattle) = 7 Qurbanis

You can make as many Qurbanis as you want – for example two or three shares in a cow - and on behalf of as many individuals as you like, including those who have passed away.

The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for every family. The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for every family.

The wife of the Prophet, Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), is reported to have said: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did the aqeeqah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn on the seventh day, and gave them names.' - Ibn Hibban, 12/127; Al-Hakim, 4/264.

It is a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that when a baby is born the parents should perform aqeeqah for the child by slaughtering two goats or sheep for a boy and one sheep or goat for a girl.

The sunnah is to perform the sacrifice on the seventh day after the child is born although there is no harm in performing it later.

MiN offers the aqeeqah service in Pakistan and Syria. The meat of these animals is prepared and/or distributed to the most needy.

This is identical to the qurbani or udhiyah, the only difference being that this is not an obligatory act. The rewards are the same and the benefits include feeding the poor.

This service is available for aqeeqah (sacrifice in gratitude at the birth of a child), walimah (sacrifice in gratitude at the time of marriage) and all other supererogatory sacrifices.

The slaughter of a small domestic grazing animal such as a sheep, ram, or goat suffices for one person, and a large domestic grazing animal such as a cow, buffalo, or camel suffices for seven people.

In addition to it being a sunnah of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has said that the person making such a sacrifice receives a reward equal to every hair of the sacrificed animal.

MiN offers the aqeeqah service in Pakistan and Syria. The meat of these animals is prepared and served to the most needy.