❖ Are the Days of Qurbani Three or Four? – Complete Explanation with Evidence
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Qurbani aur Aqiqah ke Masail, Vol. 1, Page: 432
❀ The Question
A Hafiz sahib stated in his audio lecture that the days of Qurbani (sacrifice) are only three, and that scholars or individuals who say they are four are mistaken, since there is no proof for four days. Please clarify this issue with evidence so we may live our lives upon the truth.
❀ The Answer
Alhamdulillah, was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala Rasoolillah, amma ba‘d!
✿ A Clear Hadith on the Days of Sacrifice
A marfu‘ hadith states:
“Ayyam al-Tashriq are the days of sacrifice (slaughter).”
(Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah by al-Albani, Vol. 5, Hadith no. 2476; also reported in al-Daraqutni and other collections)
This hadith proves that the days of Tashriq are included in the days of sacrifice.
✿ How Many Days are Ayyam al-Tashriq?
The days of Tashriq consist of:
✔ 11th Dhul-Hijjah
✔ 12th Dhul-Hijjah
✔ 13th Dhul-Hijjah
If we also include Yawm al-Nahr (10th Dhul-Hijjah), then the total number of days for Qurbani becomes four:
① 10th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr)
② 11th Dhul-Hijjah
③ 12th Dhul-Hijjah
④ 13th Dhul-Hijjah
Thus, the evidence shows that the days of sacrifice are indeed four.
✿ A Challenge to Those Who Say “Only Three”
Those who claim that Qurbani is restricted to three days are requested to:
- Produce a verse from the Qur’an explicitly limiting it to only three days.
- Or present a marfu‘ hadith of the Prophet ﷺ that states clearly that Qurbani is valid only for three days.
Whichever ayah or hadith they bring forward, by careful study it will become clear that the allowance of four days is also proven—because the evidences of Shari‘ah do not contradict each other.
❀ Conclusion
The authentic evidence establishes that:
- Qurbani can be performed on four days: 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
- The claim of “only three days” is not supported by Qur’an or marfu‘ hadith.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
