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Which animals for Qurbani are permissible and what should be their ages?
From a Shar‘i (Islamic legal) perspective, there are three types of animals specified for Qurbani:
- Camel (أونٹ)
- Cow (گائے)
- Goat (بکری)
All subcategories of these animals are included. Hence, male, female, castrated or uncastrated—all are valid for Qurbani.
Buffalo is considered part of the cow category, and sheep and ram are considered part of the goat category; therefore, their sacrifice is also permissible.
(Fatawa Alamgiri)
Note: Since the animals for Qurbani are specified by Shari‘ah, slaughtering a rabbit or chicken with the intention of Qurbani during the specified days will not be considered a valid sacrifice.
Ages of Animals for Qurbani
- Camel: At least five years old
- Cow: At least two years old
- Goat: At least one year old
If the Animals for Qurbani is younger than the prescribed age, the Qurbani will not be valid. However, if it is older, the sacrifice is valid and even preferable.
An exception: A lamb or sheep that is six months old but appears to be a year old from a distance is permissible for Qurbani.
(Durr Mukhtar)
Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
A one-year-old goat, a two-year-old cow, and a five-year-old camel are to be sacrificed. But if it is difficult for you, then sacrifice a six- or seven-month-old lamb or ram.
Rules for Co-Ownership in Qurbani
Q: How many people can share in the sacrifice of these animals?
A: A goat, lamb, or similar animal can only be offered on behalf of one person. If two people jointly purchase a goat intending it as a Qurbani from both, it will not be valid for either of them.
For example, if Zaid and Umar contribute equally to purchase a goat with the intention that it is from both of them, the Qurbani will not be valid for anyone. Similarly, if the head of a household purchases a goat and intends it to be on behalf of the whole family, it will not count for any of them. However, he may offer the Qurbani on his own behalf and dedicate the reward to the entire family.
In the case of a cow or camel, up to seven individuals can share. As narrated by Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
A cow suffices for seven people, and a camel suffices for seven people.
(Abu Dawud: Bāb al-Baqar wal-Jazūr ‘an Kam Tajzī)
Important Rules Related to Shareholders in Qurbani
- If any shareholder in a cow or camel owns less than one-seventh of the share, the Qurbani of all participants becomes invalid.(Durr Mukhtar, Radd al-Muhtār)
Example: In a cow worth 7000, if five people contribute 1000 each, one contributes 1500, and another only 500, then none of their Qurbanis will be valid since one share is less than one-seventh.
- If eight people share a cow, it will not be valid for any of them.
- If one shareholder’s intention is merely to acquire meat, not to perform Qurbani, the sacrifice of all others will also be invalid.
Example: If Zaid is invited to share in a cow and replies that he already performed Qurbani with a goat but will join just to receive meat, then the Qurbani will not be valid for anyone.
(Radd al-Muhtār)
Note: Before forming a partnership, make sure every participant has the intention of performing Qurbani.
- If one intends this year’s Qurbani and others intend last year’s, only the one intending this year’s will have a valid Qurbani. The rest must distribute the meat as charity—even the one with a valid Qurbani should give his portion in charity.(Radd al-Muhtār)
- If some partners intend Qurbani and others intend ‘Aqiqah, the sacrifice is valid.(Radd al-Muhtār)
- If one bought a cow intending to sacrifice it alone, and later added six partners, the Qurbani is valid but disliked (makruh). If, however, he had the intention of partnership at the time of purchase, it is not makruh. Best practice: form the partnership before purchase.(Alamgiri)
- If a non-owner of nisab (i.e., a Shar‘i poor person) buys a cow for Qurbani, it becomes obligatory on him to sacrifice it himself and he cannot include others.(Alamgiri)
Characteristics of the Sacrificial Animals
Q: What should the Qurbani animal be like?
A: It is recommended that the animal be fat, healthy, large, and beautiful.
(Alamgiri)
Hazrat Baqiyah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
The most beloved Qurbani to Allah ﷻ is that which is the most expensive and the fattest.
(Sunan al-Kubra)
Hayy ibn Sa‘eed رضي الله عنه says:
I heard Abu Umamah ibn Sahl رضي الله عنه say that in Madinah we used to fatten our animals for Qurbani, and this was the common practice of all Muslims.
(Bukhari: Bāb Fī Udhḥiyat al-Nabī ﷺ)
Defects That Invalidate Qurbani
Q: Which defects make Animals for Qurbani invalid?
A: In general, the animal should be free from defects. Minor defects do not invalidate the Qurbani but are disliked. Major defects make the Qurbani invalid.
(Alamgiri)
Details of Defects
Make sure to thoroughly inspect the animal. If it has a disqualifying defect, another animal must be purchased:
- Invalid animals include:
- One with a cut nose
- Blind or one-eyed
- Born with one or both ears sealed; small ears are permissible
- One with more than one-third of the ear missing; less than one-third is permissible
- One with both horns broken from the base; if broken from the top or born without horns, it is valid
- One with a tail or jaw more than one-third missing
- One that is so weak it has no marrow in its bones
- A limping animal that can’t walk to the place of sacrifice
- One with no teeth
- A goat whose tongue is cut and cannot eat properly
- A goat with one dry or cut teat, or a cow with two such teats
- One with such severe madness that it can’t graze
- (Tarkhaniyah, Durr Mukhtar, Alamgiri)
Castrated vs. Uncastrated Animals
Q: Which is better for Qurbani – castrated or uncastrated animals?
A: Castrated animals are superior, as the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed castrated rams.
(Abu Dawud: Hadith of Jabir رضي الله عنه)
While a goat is generally superior to a ram, a castrated ram is better than a goat.
(Durr Mukhtar)
Q: Some uncastrated rams drink their own urine and emit a bad smell. Is their Qurbani valid?
A: According to Bahar-e-Shari‘at, if the smell is removed from the meat after slaughter, it is permissible to consume. Otherwise, it is discouraged (makruh).
If a Defect Appears After Purchase
Q: What if the Animals for Qurbani becomes defective after purchase?
A: If the owner is wealthy (sahib-e-nisab), he must buy another animal. If poor, and he had not made Qurbani obligatory on himself, he may slaughter it.
(Radd al-Muhtār)
Q: What if the Animals for Qurbani becomes defective at the time of slaughter?
A: This defect is excused. The Qurbani will be valid.
(Durr Mukhtar)
Q: What if the animal dies before Qurbani?
A: A wealthy person must purchase another animal. A poor person is not obligated.
(Durr Mukhtar)
Q: What if the Animals for Qurbani is lost or stolen before sacrifice?
A: A wealthy person must buy another one. A poor person is not obligated. If both buy another and the original is later found, the wealthy person may sacrifice either, but the poor person must sacrifice both.
(Durr Mukhtar)
Note: This difference is because a poor person becomes obligated for that specific animal upon purchase, whereas a wealthy person does not.
Ruling Regarding the Offspring of the Animals for Qurbani
Q: If the animal gives birth before sacrifice, what should be done?
Answer:
- The offspring should also be sacrificed.
- If sold, the price must be given in charity.
- If neither slaughtered nor sold and Qurbani days pass, it must be given alive in charity.
- If it remains and is slaughtered in the next year’s Qurbani, it will not count, and another animal must be sacrificed. The meat of the first must be given in charity, including any depreciation in value.
Hazrat Hujayyah ibn ‘Adi رضي الله عنه narrates that Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه said:
A cow suffices for seven people. I asked, “What if it gives birth?” He replied, “Slaughter the calf as well.”
(Tirmidhi: Bāb Fī al-Ishtirāk fī al-Uḍḥiyyah)
Benefitting from the Animal Before Qurbani
Q: Is it permissible to benefit from the Qurbani animal before slaughter?
A: No. The following must be noted:
- Cutting hair or milking the animal for personal use before sacrifice is forbidden.
- (Durr Mukhtar)
- Riding, loading, or renting out the Animals for Qurbani is also prohibited.
- If any benefit is derived (e.g., wool, milk, rental fee), its value must be donated in charity.
- If one rides the animal or uses it to carry loads, then the amount of value lost must be given in charity.
- (Durr Mukhtar)
- If the Animals for Qurbani is milking, one should apply cold water to dry it. If ineffective, the milk should be given in charity.
- (Alamgiri)
Realted Article: The Sharia ruling on Qurbani (sacrifice)
