What is Qurbani?
Qurbani means sacrifice. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God. In 2025, Qurbani distributions will aim to reach more people than ever before.
After the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is then distributed to those most in need. You can also find out more about how Islamic Relief distributes Qurbani meat in the frequently asked questions below.
Donating Qurbani is highly recommended according to the majority of scholars and obligatory in the Hanafi Madhab for every Muslim who is financially able to do so. There are also Qurbani rules which dictate which animals can be sacrificed, the quality of the life it has led, its health status and guidelines on how the sacrifice must be carried out.
By donating your Qurbani to Islamic Relief, you will enable the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in over 30 countries to enjoy Eid as this is the only time many families eat meat in the entire year.
Give Qurbani Online
You can simply give Qurbani online by using the above calculator. Islamic Relief conducts Qurbanis around the world, and the prices vary depending on the cost of animals in the local areas where the sacrifice will be carried out. Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Qur’an:
So turn in prayer towards your Lord and sacrifice.
Qurbani Donation
Throughout our lives, each and every one of us makes sacrifices to help our friends, family and neighbours. Therefore by sacrificing what we have to help those in need, we offer crucial solidarity and hope. Right now, a staggering 1 in 9 people worldwide are battling chronic hunger. However, there is hope: by giving Qurbani, you can feed a family in need this Eid.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the 10 best days) are the most sacred days of the year, loved by Allah (SWT). Therefore, by giving to Islamic Relief, you can reap the rewards of this blessed month. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days
Hadith | Sahih al-Bukhari
Who is eligible for Qurbani?
Islamic Relief has a set criteria and scoring systems in place to determine Qurbani recipients. The scoring system is based on the following criteria:
- Families who live on less than the minimum income for that particular country.
- Female-headed households.
- Families with disabled and/or elderly persons.
- Children under five years old.
- Pregnant women.
- Breastfeeding mothers.
- Families with little or no access to the market.
A thorough assessment is therefore carried out by our teams to objectively identify the weighting and priority of each of the above criteria. These are then applied when selecting recipient families to ensure we reach the most vulnerable without bias.
Who has to give Qurbani?
According to most Muslims, Qurbani is highly recommended and according to the Hanafi madhab, it is obligatory upon every sane adult Muslim male/female who has wealth in excess to his/her needs. Therefore, normally those who are eligible to pay Zakat are obliged to give Qurbani.
When is Qurbani 2025 performed?
Qurbani Eid 2025 is expected on the evening of Friday, 6th June 2025 till Tuesday, 10th Jun 2025.
Qurbani will be performed after the Eid Salah in each field office. The slaughter will take place from after the Eid prayer on Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah) and ends up to sunset of the 13th Dhul Hijjah. There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars as to whether Qurbani can be done over three or four days. To respect this difference of opinion, Islamic Relief strives to perform Qurbani in three days. However, we only extend into the fourth day in localities where this is religiously accepted by the local Muslim population. And if there is an operational need for this extra day.
If you give a Qurbani on any of these days, the Qurbani will still be carried out in time, as Islamic Relief has already purchased the animals to be slaughtered beforehand.
When is Qurbani Eid 2025?
Eid al-Adha is sometimes referred to as Qurbani Eid, and follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Depending on the country, the celebrations of Eid al-Adha (10th Dhul Hijjah) can last anywhere between two and four days. The Qurbani (sacrifice) is carried out following the Eid prayers, which are performed in congregation. Inshallah, Qurbani Eid 2025 is expected to be from sunset on 6th June 2025 till Tuesday, 10th Jun 2025, dependant on the moon sighting for the month of Dhul Hijja.
How much is Qurbani? How are your prices defined?
- High Quality – Since Qurbani is an act of worship that is the most beloved to Allah (SWT) during the days of Tashreek, it is important that one offers the best possible offering. Therefore Islamic Relief adopts high quality standards when it comes to selecting the sacrificial animals. Standards cover health, weight (meat yielded) and age.
- High Standards – We would also like our brothers and sisters around the world to receive the best quality meat because the believer is asked to love for his brother/sister that which he/she loves for him/herself. These high standards therefore come at a higher cost which in turn further supports economic development of our Qurbani farmers.
- Transporting Qurbani to hard-to-reach areas – Islamic Relief always tries to reach the most vulnerable people in the most remote areas where the communities are hard to reach. However, transporting meat to hard-to-reach rural areas incurs higher transportation costs which in turn affects the Qurbani price. Conflict or disasters can make distribution more difficult and can add to the cost.
How much Qurbani should I give? Can I give more than one Qurbani?
You may wish to undertake one Qurbani in the SA with Islamic Relief and one abroad as an example and this is permissible. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself carried out multiple Qurbani for himself and the Ummah.
How many animals do I have to sacrifice?
Donating Qurbani is obligatory for every Muslim who is financially able to do so in the Hanafi madhab and according to the majority of scholars, it is highly recommended. If you’re obligated to donate Qurbani, the minimum you can donate is one Qurbani share, which is equivalent to one sheep/goat or one seventh of a cow/buffalo/camel.
It’s permissible to donate more than one share of Qurbani should you wish to do so. With Islamic Relief, you can donate one Qurbani in the UK and one abroad. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself carried out multiple Qurbani for himself and the Ummah. Therefore, many Muslims offer multiple Qurbani on behalf of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and for deceased parents.
How many Qurbani per family?
According to the Hanafi school of thought, anyone obligated to donate Qurbani in the household must donate a minimum of one Qurbani each. For example, one Qurbani is equivalent to a sheep/goat. A large animal such as a cow/buffalo/camel is enough for seven people’s Qurbani.
Qurbani rules for husband and wife
According to the Hanafi school of thought, both the husband and wife must donate a minimum of one Qurbani each if they’re sane Muslims who possess wealth more than their needs. What is beyond their needs equal to (or more than) the current level of nisab (87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver).
What is a Qurbani share?
As mentioned above, every Muslim who is eligible should give at least one Qurbani share, and this is sometimes divided into three parts, for yourself, for your family and friends, and one part to be distributed to the poor and needy. Some households often donate a larger animal worth seven shares, but this is not required. If you’re making a joint donation, the animal must be big enough so that each person still gives their required share.
What should I do if I’ve missed my Qurbani?
If you would like to make up for any Qurbani donations which you’ve missed in previous years, simply calculate the total number of years missed and donate the total number of shares this year. For example, if donating Qurbani was compulsory for you in the last three years, which you’d missed, you can donate four Qurbani shares this year.
Qurbani to over four million people
Last year alone, your donations enabled us to provide quality meat to over 4 million vulnerable people across 28 countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Syria, as well as impoverished communities right here in the South Africa.
Alhamdulillah, your donations provided a critical source of protein to vulnerable families and individuals across the globe.
Here at Islamic Relief, we ensure that only the best quality meat is used – all sacrificed according to Prophetic tradition. We therefore don’t compromise on quality and we deal with local suppliers to help local economies flourish.
So as we remember the struggle and dedication of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice for the sake of Allah, make your sacrifice with Islamic Relief and support a family in need.
This Dhul Hijjah reap the rewards of the 10 best days. Donate Now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Islamic Relief select recipients of Qurbani meat?
It is the policy of Islamic Relief that the selected beneficiaries of the Qurbani 2023 project are made eligible based on a scoring system, which ranks families according to need.
Do I have to perform Qurbani on behalf of my children?
This depends on the school of thought you follow. Please consult your local Imam/Sheikh for further information. According to the Hanafi school of thought it is obligatory for:
- Every sane Muslim of mature age (who has reached puberty).
- Non-travelling persons.
- Those who additionally own wealth which is beyond their needs, equal to (or more than) the current level of nisab (87.48 grams of gold or 612.35 grams of silver).
How does Islamic Relief select recipients of Qurbani meat?
It is the policy of Islamic Relief that the selected beneficiaries of the Qurbani 2023 project are made eligible based on a scoring system, which ranks families according to need.
Do you need to give all the names of the people who are giving Qurbani?
No, this is not necessary as long as you have made the intention that you are giving this Qurbani on behalf of a certain person.
Qurbani meat
What types of Qurbani meat does Islamic Relief provide?
Islamic Relief primarily distributes: Fresh Qurbani – in most countries animals are purchased and slaughtered locally. Chilled Qurbani – in countries such as Jordan where fresh Qurbani is significantly more expensive, animals are slaughtered in Europe and shipped ready for distribution from the third day of Eid onwards. This enables us to offer a much more cost-effective alternative, without compromising on quality.
How is a Qurbani volume decided? Is it a cow or a sheep?
The volume of Qurbani is representative by the allocations committed for each country.
For donors, the following information can help you calculate your donation:
- 1 Sheep or Goat = 1 Qurbani
- 1 Cow = 7 Qurbani (one Qurbani equals 1/7th of the share).
How can we really be sure that the Qurbanis we pay for in some of the poorest countries are actually taking place?
Islamic Relief has been performing Qurbani since 1986. As with our other projects, Islamic Relief’s work is constantly monitored and audited. Reports are also produced each year showing what activities have taken place in each country.
Payment
If I pay for Qurbani on behalf of someone else, will their name be called out at the time of the slaughter?
No, as Islamic Relief is conducting hundreds of thousands of Qurbanis around the world, therefore this is practically not possible. It is also not necessary to pronounce the name of the person, even if you are making a Qurbani on behalf of someone else. Simply making the intention that you are giving this Qurbani on behalf of a certain person is sufficient.
Until when can I make Qurbani payments?
The time for sacrifice ends when the sun sets on the fourth day. Therefore, you can make payments right up until the end of the third day after Eid (13th of Dhul-Hijjah) before Maghreb salah. Islamic Relief has already purchased the animals to be slaughtered.
When should we give money for Qurbani?
It is advisable to give as early as possible. Islamic Relief implements our Qurbani over 4 days (10th to 13th Dhul Hijjah). We purchase the animals to be slaughtered in advance based on forecasted quotas. Hence if you give a Qurbani on any of these days, it will be carried out in time.
Cost
Why does Islamic Relief include an admin charge in its Qurbani pricing?
Admin charges are necessary in order to perform the Qurbani as they cover the cost of transportation, slaughtering, cutting, packing, distribution and hire of staff as well as organisational support costs.
Are all the costs included in the price?
Yes, all the various expenses such as the cost of the animal, slaughter, butchering, transportation, storage, selection of the beneficiaries, and distribution are included in the price.
How Qurbani is performed?
How is Qurbani performed at Islamic Relief?
Qurbanis are performed through Islamic Relief field offices who purchase and slaughter animals locally. If there are problems with livestock supply in a particular country (due to limited local supply, natural disaster etc.) then animals are sourced and slaughtered abroad, and then shipped to the affected countries. All animals are sacrificed according to Islamic guidelines.
Why can't an animal of our choice be sacrificed?
Animals chosen in a country are dependent upon:
- The suitability of the meat to the local diet.
- The cost of the animal.
- The location and the availability of animals.
- The quality of the meat.
Miscellaneous questions
Can Qurbani meat be sent to my village in a particular country?
Islamic Relief performs Qurbani as part of our overall seasonal programme. Therefore, the people who benefit in Ramadan and from our general projects, Insha’Allah, would also benefit from Qurbani. This allows us to focus our efforts and help the same people to improve their lives, rather than providing small amounts of help occasionally but not achieving great successes.
Can I make my Qurbani donation towards the orphan I'm sponsoring?
We are not able to carry out Qurbani for specific orphans; the scale of the operation makes this exceptionally difficult. However, orphans are a high priority in our programmes; therefore they not only benefit from donors’ sponsorship, but also benefit from receiving other support in Ramadan and Qurbani.
If someone intends to make a sacrifice, when should they stop clipping their nails?
It is recommended for the one who wants to offer a sacrifice, once the new moon of Dhul Hijjah appears (i.e. on the 1st of Dhul Hijjah), not to remove anything from his hair, nails or skin, until he has offered the sacrifice.
Can I visit the place where the Qurbani takes place as I will be in the country at that time?
t would be better if people did not visit, as on the day our teams on the ground are extremely busy with slaughtering the animals, dividing them, packing the meat, transporting it to villages and distributing the Qurbani packages. Therefore, our teams will not have the capacity or time to host individuals. However, if you are at the locations where the Qurbani is being distributed then you are welcome to observe. To demonstrate our distributions to donors, we will share photographs of some of our distributions around the world on our website and social media channels.
Check out this playlist on YouTube to see how our teams on the ground distribute your Qurbani.