Who is Qurbani Compulsory On?

Dhul Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the most religious times for Muslims all over the world. It’s a time when Qurbani and Eid al-Adha occur, as well as the holy pilgrimage known as Hajj. Eid al-Adha is an important celebration that involves worship, community and spending time with loved ones. Within this celebration, the act of Qurbani is carried out by able Muslims to commemorate the great sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and reflect his love and devotion to Allah (SWT). Qurbani is the sacrifice of an animal to show utter devotion to Allah (SWT) and earn reward from Him, which Ibrahim (AS) did by having an unwavering commitment to sacrificing his only son.

This sacrifice begins after the Eid Salaah (Eid prayer) and should be carried out for the three days after Eid, which are the 11th, 12th and 13th days of Dhul Hijjah. Most of the meat from the sacrifice is given to those facing hunger and hardship, bringing them joy and hope during the celebration. This is why Qurbani is very important for every eligible Muslim to do, so it must be done correctly to not only earn rewards and closeness to Allah (SWT), but also to help as many poor people as possible. Qurbani has set regulations that determine if a sacrifice is done correctly, and a huge part of this is who is Qurbani compulsory on. Many Muslims can become confused about who must give this donation, so Orphans in Need are here to help you understand the rules to correctly carry out the sacrifice to help those in need during Eid al-Adha.

The History of Qurbani

Before you can know the answer to the common question of, “Is Qurbani compulsory?”, it’s important to understand the history of the sacrifice. This tradition began with the Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who showed unwavering loyalty and trust in Allah (SWT) through his willingness to sacrifice his son. Ibrahim (AS) was told in his dreams that he would have a righteous son, but when his son reached the age of puberty, Ibrahim would have to sacrifice him to show his devotion to Allah (SWT). Once Ibrahim (AS) had a son, Ismail (AS), the dream kept coming to him, so he knew it was a command from Allah (SWT). When Ismail (AS) reached the age of sacrifice, Ibrahim (AS) shared his command, and both men stayed committed to carrying out the act. They went to Mount Arafat and, just when Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah (SWT) sent down a ram to replace Ismail instead, rewarding them for their devotion and revealing that it was a test of love and loyalty.

This began the act of Qurbani during Eid al-Adha and, ever since, able Muslims are required to commemorate Ibrahim’s (AS) devotion through an animal sacrifice. Traditionally, the meat from the animal is divided into three parts: one for themselves and their family, one for extended family and friends and one for those in need. However, many Muslims live in different countries, so everyone can’t do the sacrifice themselves.

This is where Orphans in Need comes in to take Qurbani donations online and carry out the sacrifice in line with Islamic regulations on your behalf. We help the most vulnerable communities around the world by providing all the meat from your sacrifice to orphans, widows and struggling families who don’t have the basic necessities they need to survive, giving them the chance to end their hunger and celebrate Eid properly.

Is it Compulsory to Give Qurbani?

So, is it compulsory to give Qurbani? This all depends on the school of thought you follow, as each has a varying opinion on the sacrifice. Many Muslims wonder if the act of worship is farz (obligatory) or not, and if they need to do it.

Farz (also spelt fardh) are religious duties commanded by Allah (SWT) and are therefore obligatory on all eligible followers. Whether performing Qurbani is farz is a matter of much debate among Islamic scholars and between different schools of Islam. Most conclude that Qurbani is not farz, since there isn’t a definite command by Allah (SWT) to carry it out.

In Hanafism, which is the largest single school of Islamic understanding and followed by about one third of the world’s Muslims, Qurbani is compulsory, but not because it is farz. It is considered wajib, which are acts that are considered obligatory but based on interpretation rather than direct command. For instance, daily prayers are farz, since this command (one of the Five Pillars of Islam) is clearly stated in hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), revealed to him by Allah (SWT). There is no similar command that makes Qurbani compulsory, so it is not farz. But Qurbani is so significant to the Muslim faith, the spiritual journey of Muslims and their relationship with each other and Allah (SWT), that Hanafism decrees that it is obligatory as wajib. It must not be forgotten or missed without good reason, and missing it should be atoned for.

Other schools of Islam do not see Qurbani as obligatory. These groups consider it to be a sunnah – a tradition or practice of Muhammad (PBUH) that serves as a model for other Muslims to follow. Although these schools do not declare Qurbani as compulsory, it is still considered a highly significant and spiritually rewarding practice that should be performed with sincerity (taqwa). Compulsory or not, it commemorates Ibrahim’s (AS) act of supreme obedience and their own gratitude and submission to Allah (SWT).

Who is Qurbani Compulsory On?

Since Qurbani is such a highly encouraged act in every school of thought, it’s typically assumed that it applies to every Muslim. However, even for those who see Qurbani as wajib, the sacrifice isn’t a requirement for every single believer. Some aren’t expected to carry out Qurbani and not everyone will always be in a position to observe it, just like for Ramadan and Zakat. This leads many to wonder who is Qurbani compulsory on?

There are set regulations for who needs to give Qurbani to please Allah (SWT) and help the hungry, which are:

• Muslims who have reached the age of puberty

• Muslims who are of sound mind

• Muslims who have 52.5 tolas (614.25 grams) of silver or the wealth equivalent (cash and possessions)

• Muslims who are not travelling during Eid and who are within 27 miles (45km) of their home.

Those who do not fit into the above categories are not required to do Qurbani.

When is Qurbani Mandatory?

A huge part of when is Qurbani mandatory is based on age, with many Muslims wondering at what age is Qurbani farz. There are two answers to this, and the first one focuses on the farz aspect. The sacrifice is never farz across all schools of thought, but it is a highly encouraged act, with it being wajib in Hanafi and sunnah for every other school.

The second answer focuses on the age aspect of the question. There is no set age for when Qurbani becomes compulsory. It’s determined by when a Muslim surpasses puberty and becomes an adult. This means that children aren’t included in the donation and only adult believers in a household will need to give Qurbani. However, many Muslims give an extra share of Qurbani on behalf of their children to help even more people in need.

How is Qurbani Paid?

With strict controls and regulations that govern the slaughter of animals in many countries, it has become increasingly difficult for those for able Muslims to perform the ritual themselves.

To fulfil their Qurbani, many Muslims choose to make a monetary Qurbani donation to a charity like Orphans in Need. We use the money to purchase animals and slaughter them in accordance with the Qurbani sacrificial rules. We then distribute the meat amongst the neediest, though it’s important to note that even though the donor may not see their share of the meat, they are still attributed one share for their household and one share for their friends.

How Much is Qurbani?

The price of Qurbani is dependent on a range of factors. Different animals have different values, and every eligible Muslim must pay for at least one share for themselves, but it is possible for a person to pay for other people’s shares as well as their own. For example, a couple might choose to combine their Qurbani and purchase a larger animal that is worth more than one share, and parents might choose to donate one share for each of them and one share on behalf of their children who are not yet eligible to pay Qurbani as a gesture of goodwill.

Different animals are worth different shares due to their size. Commonly sacrificed animals and their share worth are listed below:

• Goats and sheep: one share = enough for one eligible Muslim’s Qurbani donation.

• Large Animals (buffalo in India): seven shares = enough for seven eligible Muslims’ Qurbani donations.

• Camels: seven shares = enough for seven eligible Muslims’ Qurbani donations.

It is common for households to donate a camel or buffalo as part of a family donation. The price of each animal changes every year.

Who Receives Qurbani?

Charity in Islam is a big factor, and as such, Zakat and Fitrana donations are also made throughout the year.

Qurbani donations are split into three shares, with one of those shares going to people in need, such as orphans or widows and those who are living in poverty. Here at Orphans in Need, we work across several countries and will prioritise the neediest communities to receive your Qurbani donations.

When is Qurbani 2026?

Qurbani and Eid al-Adha 2026 take place over the three-day period of 27 May, to 30 May, though this may change slightly according to the moon.

Pay Your Qurbani

Please Allah (SWT) and reap the rewards by donating your Qurbani through Orphans in Need today. Give struggling families dignity, hope and happiness this Eid al-Adha and help them end their hunger through nutritious meals. Donate now to transform their lives and allow them to feel joy during Eid.