Qurbani, also known as Udhiya, forms one of the key acts of worship that Muslims carry out each year during Eid al-Adha. It involves sacrificing cattle and small livestock such as goats, sheep, buffalo, or camels within the specific days of Dhul Hijjah, following clear Islamic guidelines. The act itself is widely understood, but what mostly confuses people is who it actually applies to.
There’s a common assumption that Qurbani is something every Muslim must do. That’s not accurate because it’s an encouraged act, rather than a specific obligation. It depends on a few specific factors, and if those aren’t met, Qurbani is not required.
The problem is that many people either oversimplify this or misunderstand it completely. Some assume they’re not responsible when they actually are, while others treat it as optional when it isn’t.
Is Qurbani Mandatory in Islam?
The ruling on Qurbani differs slightly across Islamic schools of thought, mainly in how the obligation is classified.
In the Hanafi school of thought, Qurbani is considered wajib. In practical terms, this means it is compulsory for anyone who meets the criteria. If those conditions are met, not performing Qurbani means neglecting a required obligation.
In the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought, Qurbani is treated as a Sunnah Mu’akkadah. This does not mean it can be taken lightly or ignored. It is a strongly emphasised practice, and consistently overlooking it without a valid reason is viewed as a serious neglect of an important Sunnah.
So, while the wording may be different between schools, the practical outcome is similar. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also emphasised this obligation:
“Whoever can afford it, but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place.”
– Sunan Ibn Majah (3123)
This hadith is often cited by scholars, particularly in the Hanafi school, as strong evidence that Qurbani should not be neglected by those who can afford it. So, anyone who has the financial means are expected to treat Qurbani as an important religious responsibility. Seeing it as insignificant or purely optional usually comes from misunderstanding the rulings.
Who Must Give Qurbani?
When breaking down who must give Qurbani, the criteria are actually very simple. The person must be an adult, and they must be mentally sound. These are standard conditions for any religious obligation. After that, everything comes down to financial capacity. A person needs to have wealth beyond their basic needs, and that wealth must reach the Nisab threshold. This is the same benchmark used for Zakat, based on the value of gold or silver.
Here’s where people often mix things up. For Zakat, wealth must stay above Nisab for a full year. For Qurbani, that condition doesn’t exist. If someone meets the threshold during the days of Eid al-Adha, Qurbani becomes necessary at that point.
Financial Criteria and Nisab Requirement
Most people get this wrong because they look at income instead of actual wealth. Qurbani is based on what a person owns on the days of Eid al-Adha, not what they earn.
Add up what you have: cash, savings, gold, silver, business stock, or any extra assets that are not part of your daily use. Then subtract any debts you owe. Do not include your primary home, necessary clothing, or basic household items, as these are not counted.
If, after this calculation, your total equals or exceeds the Nisab value (the equivalent of 87.48g of gold or 612.36g of silver), then Qurbani becomes necessary for you during those days. If you are below that amount, you are not required to give Qurbani.
Timing and Immediate Obligation
Qurbani is tied to a very specific timeframe. It can only be performed on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah. If someone is performing Qurbani on the first day, it must be done after the Eid prayer and not before it.
What matters here is that eligibility is assessed during these exact days. If someone meets the financial requirement within that window, Qurbani becomes due immediately. There are no waiting periods and no requirements to hold wealth for months.
Is Qurbani Compulsory for Men and Women?
Many people assume Qurbani is mainly a responsibility for men. That is not correct. If a woman meets the same financial criteria, she is equally responsible. There’s no separate rule based on gender.
Each individual is assessed independently. If both husband and wife meet the Nisab threshold, both are required to give Qurbani. One sacrifice does not automatically cover both.
Household vs Individual Obligation
A common misunderstanding is whether one Qurbani is enough for an entire household.
In the Hanafi school, Qurbani is an individual obligation. It’s not assigned to a household as a whole. If multiple people in the same home meet the criteria, each one is responsible for their own Qurbani.
In other schools of thought, where Qurbani is considered Sunnah, one sacrifice may be done on behalf of a household. This means that practices differ across communities.
Who Is Exempt from Qurbani?
Not everyone is required to perform Qurbani, and the exemptions are clear.
Children who haven’t reached puberty are not responsible. If Qurbani is done on their behalf, it’s voluntary. Those who are not mentally capable are also exempt, and if someone does not reach the Nisab threshold, there’s no obligation. Travellers are generally exempt as well, particularly under the Hanafi view, although they can still choose to perform Qurbani if they want to.
Can Qurbani Be Given on Behalf of Others?
Qurbani can be offered on behalf of another person, including deceased relatives. This is valid, but it does not remove an individual’s own responsibility.
If a person meets the conditions that make Qurbani necessary, they must first fulfil their own Qurbani. It cannot be replaced by offering a sacrifice for someone else. For example, giving Qurbani on behalf of a parent or a deceased family member does not count as one’s own required Qurbani. Once a person has fulfilled their own obligation, they may offer additional Qurbani on behalf of others. This is considered a voluntary act and is rewarded.
The key point is simple: an obligatory Qurbani cannot be substituted with a voluntary one. Each required Qurbani must be fulfilled separately and with a clear intention for whom it is being given.
Distribution and Purpose of Qurbani
Qurbani is not limited to the act of sacrifice. What happens after the animal is slaughtered is just as important. The meat is typically divided into three portions. One portion is kept for personal use, one is shared with relatives or others, and one is specifically given to those in need. While this method is widely followed, the main requirement is that a meaningful share reaches the poor. Allah (SWT) says:
“Eat from them and feed the needy and the poor.”
– Surah Al-Hajj (22:28)
If the meat does not reach those who need it, the wider objective of Qurbani is missed. It is not just about fulfilling a personal obligation, but about making sure that the benefit extends beyond one household to those who would otherwise go without.
Is Qurbani Required Every Year?
Yes, if the conditions discussed above are met each year.
Qurbani isn’t a one-time obligation but is something that must be done every year. If someone qualifies for one year, it becomes necessary. If their financial situation changes the next year, the ruling changes with it. What matters is whether a person meets the Nisab threshold during that year’s Eid period, not what their situation was before or after.
Fulfilling Qurbani with Responsibility
The question of whether Qurbani is mandatory isn’t complicated, but people often treat it like it is. If someone meets the Nisab threshold during Eid al-Adha, Qurbani is not something to ignore. Whether it’s described as obligatory or strongly emphasised, the expectation is clear. Skipping it despite having the means isn’t something to ignore or delay because it’s a highly encouraged act of worship that helps those in need.
At the same time, Qurbani isn’t just personal. It directly affects people who rely on it. For many families, this is one of the few times they receive a proper protein source. At Orphans in Need, we make sure your Qurbani is handled properly from start to finish. It’s carried out according to Islamic guidelines and delivered to communities where it is genuinely needed. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself performed Qurbani every year and even offered sacrifice on behalf of those in his Ummah who could not afford it, showing both its importance and its wider social purpose.
So, if you meet the Nisab threshold during Eid al-Adha, then Qurbani is your responsibility, not a choice. Give your Qurbani through us and make sure it reaches those who depend on it.
