Who should sacrifice and when, which animals count, how to slaughter, and how to share the meat.
Allah told His Prophet to pray to his Lord and sacrifice (al-Kawthar 108:2), and gave every nation a rite in which His name is mentioned over the animals He provided (al-Hajj 22:34). Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah; what reaches Him is your taqwa (al-Hajj 22:37).
Who should sacrifice The Hanafi school, followed in Bangladesh, holds Qurbani wajib on every adult, sane Muslim who is not travelling and who owns the nisab, beyond basic needs and debts, on the days of sacrifice. Unlike zakat, a year need not pass on that wealth, and it is due from each person who owns it, not once per household. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever can afford it and does not sacrifice should not come near our place of prayer (Ibn Majah 3123). Other scholars hold it to be a strong sunnah rather than wajib.
The time Sacrifice after the Eid prayer, not before: the Prophet said that an animal slaughtered before the prayer is only meat for the family, not a sacrifice (Bukhari 5545). In the Hanafi school, followed in Bangladesh, the time lasts until sunset on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. Other scholars include the 13th as well.
Which animals, and their age Qurbani is made with livestock: a camel, a cow or buffalo, a goat or a sheep. The Prophet said to sacrifice only a musinnah, an animal of full age, unless that is hard for you, and then a young sheep (Muslim 1963). Full age is commonly taken as five years for a camel, two for a cow or buffalo, and one for a goat or sheep. Many scholars, among them the Hanafi school, also allow a sheep of six months or more that looks as big as a yearling.
Defects that disqualify an animal The Prophet named four that will not do: an animal clearly blind in one eye, one clearly sick, one clearly lame, and one so thin that its bones have no marrow (Abu Dawud 2802). A worse defect, such as blindness in both eyes, disqualifies it too. Choose a healthy, sound animal.
Sharing a cow or camel A goat or sheep is for one person. A cow, buffalo or camel may be shared by up to seven people (Muslim 1318), each paying a share and each intending it as worship.
Hair and nails If you will sacrifice, do not cut your hair or nails from the start of Dhul-Hijjah until you have sacrificed (Muslim 1977c). Scholars differ on whether this is binding or recommended.
Slaughtering The Prophet said that Allah has prescribed excellence in everything, so slaughter well: sharpen the blade and spare the animal suffering (Muslim 1955). Mention Allah's name over it (al-Hajj 22:36): say Bismillah and Allahu akbar as you slaughter, as the Prophet did when he slaughtered his two rams with his own hand (Bukhari 5565). Slaughter your animal yourself if you can.
The meat Eat from it and feed the poor (al-Hajj 22:28). The Prophet said to eat from it, give from it and store some (Bukhari 5569). Many scholars recommend dividing it in three: for the household, for relatives and friends, and for the poor. This is a recommendation, not a requirement.
Paying the butcher Pay the butcher his wage from your own money, not with the meat or the skin: the Prophet told Ali to give the butcher nothing of the sacrifice as his wage (Bukhari 1717). The skin may be used at home or given in charity.
If you are unsure about your own situation, ask a trusted local alim.
Source
- Surah Al-Kawthar, ayah 2
- Surah Al-Hajj, ayah 34
- Surah Al-Hajj, ayah 37
- Sunan Ibn Majah 3123
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5545
- Sahih Muslim 1963
- Sunan Abi Dawud 2802
- Sahih Muslim 1318
- Sahih Muslim 1977c
- Sahih Muslim 1955
- Surah Al-Hajj, ayah 36
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5565
- Surah Al-Hajj, ayah 28
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5569
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1717
- Hajj step by step