Qurbani 2026: Everything Practising Muslims Need to Know
Every Eid ul Adha, the same questions start flying around in group chats, family WhatsApps, and masjid corridors.
Do I have to do Qurbani this year? Can I just donate money instead? Does my husband’s Qurbani count for me too? What if I live in the UK and can’t slaughter an animal?
If any of those sound familiar… you are in the right place.
Qurbani is one of the most beautiful acts of worship in Islam. But it is also one of the most misunderstood. This guide breaks it all down in simple words… no confusion, just everything you actually need to know.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Actually is Qurbani?
- Do You Have to Do Qurbani?
- Which Animals Can You Use?
- When Does Qurbani Have to Happen?
- What Do You Do With the Meat?
- How to Do Qurbani If You Live in the UK or the West
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
So, What Actually is Qurbani?Qurbani or Udhiyah in Arabic, is the sacrifice of a livestock animal during the days of Eid ul Adha. Every year, on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal in the name of Allah.But it is not just about the animal. It is about what that act represents.
It goes back to one of the greatest stories in Islamic history… when Allah commanded the Prophet Ibrahim A.S to sacrifice his own son Ismail. Both father and son submitted completely, without hesitation. And at the very last moment, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram.
That moment of total surrender, of putting your love for Allah above everything else, is what Muslims are honouring every single time they perform Qurbani.The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever can afford to offer a sacrifice but does not do so, let him not approach our place of prayer.”
(Ahmad \u0026 Ibn Majah)That tells you everything about how seriously Islam treats this.
Do You Have to Do Qurbani?
The short answer is, it depends on your financial situation.
Qurbani is obligatory for every Muslim who is:
An adult of sound mind
Not travelling during the days of Eid
Financially able… meaning they own wealth above the Nisab threshold (the same minimum wealth level used for Zakat)
The simple rule of thumb: if you are eligible to pay Zakat, you are expected to give Qurbani.
That includes both men and women individually. If both a husband and wife independently meet the Nisab, each must offer their own Qurbani separately.
If you genuinely cannot afford it, you are not obligated. Islam never burdens a person beyond their means.
Which Animals Can You Use?
Not every animal qualifies for Qurbani. Here is a simple breakdown:
Animal Minimum Age How Many People Goat 1 year 1 person only Sheep 1 year 1 person only Cow / Buffalo 2 years Up to 7 people Camel 5 years Up to 7 people
A few things worth knowing:- The animal must be healthy. Visibly sick, lame, or one-eyed animals are not valid
- If you are sharing a cow with others, everyone sharing must intend Qurbani. If even one person in the group is just buying meat without the intention of worship, it invalidates the Qurbani for the rest
- Goats and sheep cannot be split. They count as one full Qurbani for one person only
When Does Qurbani Have to Happen?
Timing matters a lot.
Qurbani is only valid if it is performed:
- After the Eid ul Adha prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah
- Before sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah
If someone slaughters the animal before the Eid prayer, it does not count as Qurbani. It is treated as a regular charity, and they would need to perform the Qurbani again.
In 2026, Eid ul Adha falls on Wednesday, 27th May.
What Do You Do With the Meat?
The Sunnah is to split the meat into three equal parts:
- One third for yourself and your family
- One third for friends, neighbours and relatives
- One third for the poor and those in need
If you are giving Qurbani through a charity, which most Muslims in the West do, you can choose to donate all three portions to families in need. Many scholars encourage it, especially when the meat can reach people who genuinely need it.
How to Do Qurbani If You Live in the UK or the West
This is where most Muslims in Bradford, Birmingham, London, Manchester, and across Europe, North America and Australia get stuck.
You cannot slaughter an animal at home in the UK. It is illegal outside of a licensed slaughterhouse. So what are your options?
Option 1: Give Through a Charity
This is what the majority of Muslims in the West do, and it is completely valid.
Various international charities run Qurbani programmes in dozens of countries. You pay online, they carry out the sacrifice on your behalf in a Muslim-majority country, and the meat goes directly to families who need it.
When choosing a charity, make sure:
- They are officially registered
- The sacrifice is confirmed as Shariah-compliant
- It is performed within the correct Eid days
- They are transparent about where your Qurbani actually goes
Option 2: Go Through a Local Halal Butcher
Many halal butchers across the UK, especially in cities with large Muslim communities, offer a Qurbani service during Eid. They arrange the sacrifice at a licensed slaughterhouse and handle the meat distribution according to your instructions.
Just make sure to confirm with them:
- The animal meets the age and health requirements
- Slaughter happens after the Eid prayer
- A Muslim recites Bismillah Allahu Akbar at the time of slaughter
Option 3: Send It Back Home
Many Muslims in the West choose to arrange their Qurbani in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, or wherever their family is originally from. You can do this through a trusted family member or a charity with programmes in that country.
You do not need to be physically present. Make your intention, delegate it to someone you trust, and it counts.
Conclusion
Qurbani is not a box to tick. It is a moment to pause and ask yourself: Am I willing to give for the sake of Allah?
Ibrahim gave everything. You are being asked to give a small portion of what you already have. And the reward for that sincerity, done with the right intention, is immeasurable.
Whether you are in Bradford or Beirut, Sydney or New York, the door is open. And in 2026, with charities, local butchers and international programmes, there is genuinely no reason it cannot be done.
Key Takeaways
- Qurbani is obligatory for every financially able adult Muslim… if you pay Zakat, you give Qurbani
- It is an individual obligation, not one per household
- Valid animals are goats, sheep, cows and camels… each with minimum age requirements
- Qurbani must happen after the Eid prayer on the 10th, 11th or 12th of Dhul Hijjah
- The meat is divided three ways: family, friends, and the poor
Thinking About the Next Step in Your Deen?
Eid ul Adha is a time that brings families together, and for many Muslims, it is also a time when thoughts turn to building one of their own.
If you are looking for a spouse who takes their Deen as seriously as you do… someone who fasts, gives Qurbani, and actually lives by their values, Pure Matrimony was built for exactly that.
We connect practising Muslims worldwide who are serious about marriage and serious about their Deen.
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