Qurbani

What Does Qurbani Mean in Detail?

Qurbani (known in Arabic as udhiyah for the general Eid sacrifice, and hady for the حج-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, صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) 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' (قرآن 37:107). This act of ultimate submission (islam) to Allah's will is commemorated annually by Muslims worldwide. In the context of حج, the sacrifice is called hady and is واجب for حجاج performing Tamattu (عمرہ then حج) or Qiran (combined حج and عمرہ). The sacrifice is performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr, the Day of Sacrifice) in the منیٰ 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 حج, the sacrifice is called udhiyah and is performed on Eid al-Adha and during the Days of Tashreeq (11th-13th of Dhul Hijjah). Its legal status is debated: the Hanafi school considers it wajib (واجب) 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 حج حجاج often fulfill the obligation through authorized slaughterhouses in مکہ مکرمہ, which process and distribute the meat to those in need worldwide.