(Taken from: Monthly al-Hadith, Hazro)
✿ Ruling on Qurbānī
Performing qurbānī is a sunnah mu’akkadah (an emphasized sunnah). However, some scholars have declared it wājib (obligatory) for those who possess the means, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Whoever has the means and does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our place of prayer (ʿĪd-gah).”
(Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth: 3123; ḥasan according to al-Albānī)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself performed qurbānī every year, which further highlights its necessity for those who are able.
✿ The Animal for Qurbānī
The animal should be well cared for and healthy. Animals that are lame, blind, one-eyed, sick, with a cut ear, or broken horns are not suitable for qurbānī. The animal must be a musinnah (i.e., fully mature, typically having two permanent teeth).
Sayyidunā Jābir (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not slaughter except a musinnah, unless it is difficult for you; in that case, slaughter a jadhaʿah from among the sheep.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1963/13, Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī)
A jadhaʿah is a sheep that has completed six months and entered its seventh.
✿ One Sacrifice for the Entire Household
ʿAṭā’ ibn Yasār (رحمه الله) said: I asked Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī (رضي الله عنه):
“How was qurbānī done among you during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?”
He replied:
“A man would offer one sheep on behalf of himself and his entire household.”
(al-Tirmidhī Ḥadīth: 505; graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ)
✿ The Method of Qurbānī
When performing the slaughter:
✔ The animal should be laid on its left side to make it easier for the slaughterer.
✔ The knife should be held in the right hand while holding the animal’s head with the left hand.
✔ The following supplication should be recited before the slaughter:
“بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي”
“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, (this sacrifice is) from You and for You. O Allah, accept it from me.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1966/17; al-Bayhaqī 9/287; the final phrase is reported in meaning by Muslim)
✿ Ruling on Qurbānī
Performing qurbānī is a sunnah mu’akkadah (an emphasized sunnah). However, some scholars have declared it wājib (obligatory) for those who possess the means, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Whoever has the means and does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our place of prayer (ʿĪd-gah).”
(Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth: 3123; ḥasan according to al-Albānī)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself performed qurbānī every year, which further highlights its necessity for those who are able.
✿ The Animal for Qurbānī
The animal should be well cared for and healthy. Animals that are lame, blind, one-eyed, sick, with a cut ear, or broken horns are not suitable for qurbānī. The animal must be a musinnah (i.e., fully mature, typically having two permanent teeth).
Sayyidunā Jābir (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not slaughter except a musinnah, unless it is difficult for you; in that case, slaughter a jadhaʿah from among the sheep.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1963/13, Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī)
A jadhaʿah is a sheep that has completed six months and entered its seventh.
✿ One Sacrifice for the Entire Household
ʿAṭā’ ibn Yasār (رحمه الله) said: I asked Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī (رضي الله عنه):
“How was qurbānī done among you during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?”
He replied:
“A man would offer one sheep on behalf of himself and his entire household.”
(al-Tirmidhī Ḥadīth: 505; graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ)
✿ The Method of Qurbānī
When performing the slaughter:
✔ The animal should be laid on its left side to make it easier for the slaughterer.
✔ The knife should be held in the right hand while holding the animal’s head with the left hand.
✔ The following supplication should be recited before the slaughter:
“بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَلَكَ اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي”
“In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, (this sacrifice is) from You and for You. O Allah, accept it from me.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1966/17; al-Bayhaqī 9/287; the final phrase is reported in meaning by Muslim)
