Essential Qualities and Disqualifying Defects in Qurbani Animals

Authored by: Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah)
Refined with headings and formatting for easier reading

✿ Disqualifying Defects in Qurbani Animals​

The animal to be sacrificed must be free from the following observable defects:
① Blindness in one eye (Visible Squint):
Animals with a clearly visible defect in one eye are not permissible for Qurbani.

② Apparent Disease:
If the illness is clearly noticeable, the animal is unfit for sacrifice.

③ Limping:
An animal that limps visibly is not allowed for Qurbani.

④ Extreme Weakness:
Animals so emaciated that their bones have no marrow are also invalid.

Hadith Reference:
Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Four types of animals are not permissible for Qurbani:
(1) The one-eyed whose defect is obvious,
(2) The sick with evident illness,
(3) The lame with visible limping, and
(4) The extremely weak with no marrow in the bones.”
(Musnad Ahmad 4/84; Abu Dawud: 2802; al-Nasa’i: 4374; al-Tirmidhi: 1497; Ibn Majah: 3144 – Sahih Chain)

✿ Defects Occurring After Purchase​

If a defect arises after purchasing the animal, the sacrifice remains valid.

➤ Abdullah ibn Zubayr (رضي الله عنهما):
“If a defect appears after purchase, offer the sacrifice. If it existed before, replace the animal.”
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi: 9/289 – Sahih Chain)

➤ Imam al-Zuhri (رحمه الله):
“If the animal falls ill after purchase, it may still be sacrificed.”
(Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 4/386, Hadith: 8161 – Sahih Chain)

✿ Inspecting the Animal​

Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
“The Prophet ﷺ instructed us to closely examine the eyes and ears of the sacrificial animal.”
(Musnad Ahmad 1/105; al-Nasa’i: 7/213, Hadith: 4381; al-Tirmidhi: 1503; Ibn Majah: 3143 – Hasan Chain)
This inspection is encouraged (mustahabb), not obligatory.

✿ Defects in Ears or Horns​

Ali (رضي الله عنه) said:
“The Prophet ﷺ forbade sacrificing animals with cut ears or broken horns.”
(Abu Dawud: 2805; al-Nasa’i: 4382; al-Tirmidhi: 1503; Ibn Majah: 3145 – Hasan Chain)
This prohibition is not absolute (tahrimi), hence minor flaws in the horns or ears are excusable.

✿ Castrated Animals​

Being castrated is not a disqualifying defect. The Prophet ﷺ himself sacrificed two castrated rams.
(Musnad Ahmad: 3/375; Abu Dawud: 2795; Ibn Majah: 3121 – Hasan Chain)
Ibn Khuzaymah (2899) declared the hadith "Sahih".

✿ Born Without Horns​

Animals that are naturally hornless are entirely permissible and not considered flawed.

❖ Summary​

To ensure a valid Qurbani, the animal must be free from certain visible flaws like blindness, illness, limping, or extreme weakness. Defects occurring post-purchase are excused, and castrated animals are permissible. Inspecting the animal before sacrifice is recommended, while minor cuts or flaws in ears or horns do not invalidate the Qurbani.