Qurbani

What Does Qurbani Mean in Detail?

Qurbani (known in Arabic as udhiyah for the general Eid sacrifice, and hadyu for the Haji-specific sacrifice) is one of the most significant acts of worship in Islam, directly connected to one of the most profound moments in prophetic history. When Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) demonstrated his absolute willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) in obedience to Allah's command received in a dream, Allah intervened and sent a ram from Paradise as a substitute: 'And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice' (Al-Quran 37:107). This act of ultimate submission (islam) to Allah's will is commemorated annually by Muslims worldwide. In the context of Haji, the sacrifice is called hadyu and is wajib for jamaah haji performing Tamattu (Umrah then Haji) or Qiran (combined Haji and Umrah). The sacrifice is performed on the 10th of Dzulhijjah (Yawm al-Nahr, the Day of Sacrifice) in the Mina area. The animal must meet specific criteria: sheep or goats must be at least one year old, cattle at least two years old, and camels at least five years old. The animal must be free of defects — not blind, visibly sick, lame, or emaciated. A sheep or goat suffices for one person, while a cow or camel can be shared among up to seven people. For Muslims worldwide who are not performing Haji, the sacrifice is called udhiyah and is performed on Eid al-Adha and during the Days of Tashreeq (11th-13th of Dzulhijjah). Its legal status is debated: the Hanafi school considers it wajib (wajib) for those who meet the financial threshold, while the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools classify it as a Sunnah mu'akkadah (strongly emphasized practice). The meat is traditionally divided into three portions: one-third for the household, one-third as gifts to relatives and neighbors, and one-third as charity to the poor. Modern Haji jamaah haji often fulfill the obligation through authorized slaughterhouses in Mekkah, which process and distribute the meat to those in need worldwide.