Qurbani Shariah rules — complete guide.
Qurbani (udhiya) is wajib on every adult, sane Muslim in Pakistan who owns nisaab (approx. Rs 150,000+ in zakatable wealth) on any of the three Eid days. This guide covers every condition under the Hanafi madhab.
Who must perform Qurbani
In the Hanafi school, Qurbani is wajib (not sunnah) on every Muslim who meets all of:
- Muslim, adult (baligh), sane
- Resident (not a Shariah-traveller during Eid days)
- Owns nisaab-worth of wealth (approx. 612.36g silver value, roughly Rs 150,000 in 2026) excluding daily-use assets and debts
Note: nisaab for Qurbani does not require the wealth to be held for a full year (unlike zakat). Ownership on any of the three Eid days triggers the obligation.
Valid animals
- Bakra/sheep/dumba — 1 hissa, minimum 1 year (exception: 6-month lamb resembling 1-year)
- Cow/buffalo/wacha — 7 hissay, minimum 2 years
- Camel — 7 hissay, minimum 5 years
Animal must be free from defects: no blindness in one or both eyes, no severe lameness preventing walking to slaughter, no loss of more than a third of ear/tail, no missing horn to the root, no extreme emaciation, no broken teeth affecting feeding.
Slaughter conditions
- Must be slaughtered on 10, 11, or 12 Zil Hijjah
- On day one, only after Eid prayer
- Tasmiyah (Bismillah Allahu Akbar) at moment of slaughter
- Three of the four main vessels (windpipe, food-pipe, two jugulars) must be cut — typically all four are cut
- Sharp blade; animal should not see the blade being sharpened; other animals should not witness the slaughter
Meat distribution
Traditional division is into thirds:
- One-third for your own household
- One-third for relatives and friends
- One-third for the poor and needy
This is mustahab (recommended), not wajib. Keeping all the meat for yourself is permitted, but contrary to the Sunnah preference for distribution.
Common mistakes
- Delaying Qurbani on day one until after you return from Eid prayer is correct — but avoid delaying past sunset on 12 Zil Hijjah
- Selling any part of the animal (including the skin) for personal benefit is not permitted after Qurbani — skin proceeds must go to charity
- Paying the qasai with a portion of the meat as wages is not permitted — his wages must be separate cash
- Not saying tasmiyah invalidates the Qurbani in the Hanafi madhab if done deliberately; forgetfulness is excused
Niyyah and intention
The intention (niyyah) of Qurbani must be present before slaughter. For a 7-share cow or camel, every single hissedar must hold the Qurbani niyyah. If even one share-holder is doing it for meat only (not Qurbani), the entire Qurbani is invalidated in the Hanafi position.
School differences (brief)
This guide follows the Hanafi madhab, the dominant school in Pakistan. The Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools classify Qurbani as sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized sunnah) rather than wajib — but the practical rules are largely similar.
Sawalat / Questions.
Is Qurbani wajib or sunnah?
In the Hanafi madhab (followed by most of Pakistan), Qurbani is wajib on every adult, sane Muslim who owns nisaab on any of the three Eid days. In the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, it is sunnah mu'akkadah (emphasized sunnah).
What is the nisaab for Qurbani?
Approx. 612.36g of silver (or equivalent wealth) — roughly Rs 150,000 in 2026. This excludes daily-use assets like your home, personal car, and clothes.
Can I do Qurbani for a deceased family member?
Yes. You can perform a separate Qurbani on behalf of a deceased parent or family member. For a 7-share cow, any of the seven shares can be intended for a deceased person.
What if the animal dies before slaughter?
If the animal dies before slaughter from causes other than slaughter itself, you must replace it with another Qurbani-valid animal — your obligation has not been fulfilled.