WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL CAN BE SACRIFICED FOR QURBAN?

The animal chosen for qurban must be healthy and free from defects.

Firstly, this demonstrates a high level of respect and etiquette towards the Creator. It is well known that neither the meat nor the blood of the sacrifice reaches Allah, but only the piety of the servant. By seeking out a healthy, unblemished animal for sacrifice, a person strives for piety.

Secondly, this act uplifts the spirits of the poor. It is considered a good deed to offer them the meat of the best animal, not one that is defective or unfit. This helps them feel honored and respected.

Therefore, for a valid qurban, the following conditions regarding the animal must be met according to our Shariah:

• Qurban may be performed with a sheep, goat, cattle, or camel. Both male and female animals are acceptable. It is preferable if the animal has more meat and better taste.

• A sheep or goat is sacrificed on behalf of one person. If a person sacrifices two sheep, both are valid and the person receives the reward for two qurbans. As for camels and cattle, they may be shared by up to seven people. This is based on the statement of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him): "With the Messenger of Allah at Hudaybiyyah, we sacrificed one camel on behalf of seven people and one cow on behalf of seven people"[1]. In this case, all seven must have the intention of qurban or giving the meat as charity.

• The animal must be free from defects. It is not valid to sacrifice an animal that is blind, has one eye, is lame, extremely thin, toothless, has a cut ear, a dried udder, or has lost more than a third of its tail or ear. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

أربع لا تجوز في الأضاحي العوراء البين عَورُها والمريضة البين مرضها والعرجاء البين ظَلَعُها والكسيرة التي لا تُنْقِي

“Four animals are not valid for sacrifice: those with obvious blindness, obvious illness, obvious lameness, and those that are extremely emaciated (with no marrow in their bones),”[2].

It is permissible to sacrifice an animal that has no horns, has broken horns, has a split or pierced ear. Castrated animals may also be sacrificed, as their meat is abundant and tastier, and this is not considered a defect[3].

If an animal purchased for qurban later develops a defect, it should be replaced with a healthy one. If the animal is injured during slaughter or on the way to slaughter, there is no problem.

• The animal must have reached the required age. Sheep and goats must be at least one year old. Cattle must be two years old, and camels five years old[4]. However, a fat and large sheep that is less than one year old may also be sacrificed. Still, it is preferable to sacrifice a sheep that is at least one year old.

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

لا تَذْبَحُوا إلَّا مُسِنَّةً، إلَّا أنْ يَعْسُرَ علَيْكُم، فَتَذْبَحُوا جَذَعَةً مِنَ الضَّأْنِ

“Do not slaughter except a musinnah. If it is difficult for you, then slaughter a jadha’ah from the sheep,”[5][6].

Department of Shariah and Fatwa, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan

• [1] Reported by Abu Dawud, Muslim, and Tirmidhi.

• [2] Reported by Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Tirmidhi.

• [3] Fatawa Hindiyyah, 5/344.

• [4] Radd al-Muhtar, 2/321.

• [5] Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, and Nasa’i.

• [6] “Musinnah” refers to a five-year-old camel, a two-year-old cow, or a one-year-old sheep. “Jadha’ah” refers to a sheep less than one year old.