Is it necessary to make an intention when offering a sacrifice (qurbani)?

In principle, every act of worship must begin with an intention. Without a clear intention, some acts of worship may not fulfill their purpose and may be reduced to mere actions.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

إنما الأعمال بالنيات، وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى

“Actions are but by intentions, and each person will have what they intended.” [1]

For a sacrifice (qurbani) to be valid, three conditions must be met: the animal must be sound, the sacrifice must be performed during the days of Eid al-Adha, and there must be an intention. It is not required to state the intention verbally; it is sufficient to make the intention in the heart. The condition of intention is fulfilled when one buys the sacrificial animal, commissions someone to slaughter it, or slaughters it oneself with the intention of performing the act of worship.

It is sunnah to make the following intention when offering the sacrifice: “بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ! O Creator! You have provided me with this animal as sustenance. I am sacrificing it for Your pleasure. Please accept this sacrifice from me!” It is also acceptable to use other words or simply say “بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ.”

Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

شَهِدْتُ معَ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ الأَضحى بالمصلَّى، فلمَّا قَضى خطبتَهُ نزلَ من منبرِهِ، وأُتِيَ بِكَبشٍ فذبحَهُ رسولُ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ بيدِهِ، وقالَ: بسمِ اللَّهِ واللَّهُ أَكْبرُ، هذا عنِّي، وعمَّن لَم يضحِّ من أمَّتي

“I attended the Eid al-Adha prayer with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). After he finished his sermon and descended from the pulpit, a ram was brought to him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) slaughtered it with his own hand, saying: ‘بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ. This is on my behalf and on behalf of those in my ummah who have not offered a sacrifice.’” [2]

In any case, intention helps the worshipper keep their mind free from distractions, uniting their physical actions and thoughts, and allowing them to perform the act of worship with sincerity.

Here are some examples that highlight the importance of intention in the act of sacrifice:

If a butcher forgets that he is performing a sacrifice and simply slaughters the animal, the intention made when purchasing or designating the animal for sacrifice is taken into account. If a poor person buys a sheep with the intention of offering a sacrifice, it becomes obligatory for him to perform the sacrifice. If the animal is stolen or lost, nothing is required of him. However, if he does not slaughter the animal and the time for sacrifice passes, he must give charity, similar to a wealthy person. If someone else slaughters the animal without the owner's permission, the sacrifice is still valid because the owner's original intention when purchasing the animal is considered. [3] When up to seven people jointly offer a cow or camel, each must have the intention of sacrifice. If any of them participates with the intention of obtaining meat or for any other reason, none of their shares will count as a valid sacrifice. [4]

Sharia and Fatwa Department of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan

[1] Narrated by al-Bukhari.

[2] Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi.

[3] Al-Mufassal fil-Fiqh al-Hanafi, 217.

[4] Fatawa Hindiyya, 5/351.