The blessed month of Dhul Hijjah is almost here. For Muslims everywhere, this brings a huge wave of joy. We prepare our homes and our hearts for Eid al-Adha. But with this beautiful time comes a very big duty. You might be asking yourself exactly how to do qurbani in islam this year.
It often feels like there is too much to remember. You hear different opinions. You worry about making a mistake. This is completely normal.
Don’t worry. You are in the right place. We want to clear up all your confusion today. This guide makes the rules easy to grasp. We break down the steps so you feel confident. Read on to learn exactly who must give, how to pick an animal, and the right dates for 2026.
The Real Story Behind the Sacrifice
We don’t just sacrifice animals for the sake of meat. We do it to remember a massive test of faith. Look back at the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Allah asked him to do the hardest thing imaginable. He asked him to sacrifice his own son, Ismail (AS).
Ibrahim (AS) did not argue. He did not complain. He simply obeyed.
Right as he prepared to do it, Allah stopped him. Allah sent a ram to take the place of Ismail (AS). It was never about shedding blood. It was a test of trust. Today, when we offer a sacrifice, we prove that our wealth really belongs to Allah. We show that we trust His plan over our own money.
Do You Have Enough Money to Give? (Nisab Rules)
This is the most common question. Who actually has to pay for a sacrifice?
In the Hanafi school of thought, this act is a strict duty (Wajib). Other scholars call it a very strong Sunnah. Either way, you should not skip it if you have the means. We figure out if you have the means by looking at the “Nisab.”
Think of the Nisab as a minimum wealth line. For this duty, we use the value of silver. The magic number is 612.36 grams of silver. Look at your bank account right now. Look at your extra cash or gold. Is it worth more than 612.36 grams of silver? If the answer is yes, you must give.
You do not need to hold this money for a whole year. You just need to have it during the three days of Eid.
The Right Dates for 2026
You cannot just choose a random day to do this. Timing matters a lot. If you kill an animal too early, it does not count as worship. It just counts as regular food.
For 2026, we expect Eid al-Adha to land on Wednesday, May 27th.
You only get three days to finish the job:
- Day 1 (May 27): This is the best day. Start right after the Eid prayer finishes.
- Day 2 (May 28): You can do it all day or all night.
- Day 3 (May 29): You must finish before the sun goes down.
Always wait for the Eid prayer to end in your local mosque. Never start before that.
Choosing an Animal Without Flaws
You are offering a gift to your Creator. You would not give a dirty or broken gift to your best friend. So, you must give Allah the absolute best.
You can only choose from grazing livestock. This means sheep, goats, cows, or camels. But they must pass a health test first. Do not buy an animal if it has these issues:
- It is blind in one or both eyes.
- It limps so badly it cannot walk to the slaughter spot.
- It is sickly, weak, or too thin.
- It has lost more than half of its horn or ear.
A tiny scratch is fine. A small chip on the horn is fine. Just aim for the healthiest animal you can afford.
Getting the Age Right
An animal must reach a certain age before you can sacrifice it.
- Goats: Must be at least one full year old.
- Sheep: Must be one year old. (If a six-month-old sheep is very fat and looks like a one-year-old, you can use it).
- Cows and Buffaloes: Must be at least two years old.
- Camels: Must be at least five years old.
Always check the teeth if you buy the animal in person. This is the best way to verify the age.
Working Together: How Shares Work
Maybe you cannot afford a whole cow. That is perfectly fine. Islam makes things easy for us. We use a system of shares.
A small animal equals one share. So, one sheep covers one person. One goat covers one person.
Large animals give you more options. A cow, a buffalo, or a camel equals seven shares. This means seven different people can chip in to buy one cow. Each person gets the full spiritual reward. Large families often do this to save money while still doing their duty.
The Correct Steps for Slaughter
If you do the sacrifice yourself, you must follow the prophetic way. This is called Dhabihah. It is the kindest way to handle an animal.
First, hide the knife. Never sharpen your blade where the animal can see it. Give the animal a drink of water. Keep it calm.
Next, gently lay the animal on its left side. Face it toward Makkah (the Qiblah). Make sure your knife is incredibly sharp. You want to finish this quickly so the animal feels no pain.
Say the words: “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.” This means “In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest.”
Swiftly cut the windpipe, the gullet, and the two main veins in the neck. Step back and let the blood drain out completely. Do not skin or cut the animal until it stops moving entirely.
What About Your Hair and Nails?
People get very confused about this rule. If you plan to give a sacrifice, you should stop cutting your hair and nails.
When does this start? It starts the minute we see the new moon for Dhul Hijjah. It ends the minute your animal is slaughtered.
Why do we do this? It helps us feel like the pilgrims performing Hajj in Makkah. It reminds us every time we look in the mirror that we are in a special state of worship. It is a highly recommended Sunnah. But if you forget and cut a nail, do not panic. Your sacrifice is still perfectly valid.
The Rule of Thirds for the Meat
Now you have a lot of fresh meat. What do you do with it? The Sunnah gives us a wonderful guide. We divide the meat into three equal piles.
First, keep one-third for your own house. Cook a great meal for your family on Eid.
Second, give one-third to your friends, family, and neighbors. Even if they have money, sharing food builds strong bonds.
Third, give the final third to the poor. Find people who struggle to buy meat.
If you live in a wealthy area and you already have plenty of food, you can give the entire animal to the poor. This brings a massive reward.
Why People Choose to Donate Online
Let’s face it. Living in the UK or a big city makes this process hard. You cannot just keep a sheep in your backyard. Abattoirs get fully booked months in advance.
This is why thousands of people now donate their sacrifice online through trusted charities like Watan UK.
When you trust us with your Qurbani, we handle everything. We buy healthy animals from local farmers in poor countries. This helps their economy. We ensure the slaughter happens at the exact right time. Then, we hand-deliver the meat to refugees, orphans, and families living in extreme poverty. You fulfill your duty, and a hungry family finally gets a hot meal.
Watch Out for These Common Mistakes
Even smart people make mistakes during Eid. Read through this list so you don’t ruin your hard work.
- Paying with meat: You hire a butcher. You cannot give him meat to cover his fee. You must pay him with your cash. The meat is for charity.
- Selling the skin: You cannot make money off this act. Never sell the hide or the fat. Give the skin to a charity or use it at home.
- Doing it for the freezer: If you only buy a cow because you want to fill your freezer with cheap meat, you lose the reward. Your intention must be pure worship.
The Final Thought on Your Journey
Learning how to do qurbani in islam takes a bit of time. But once you understand the rules, the beauty of the act shines through.
This is not a financial penalty. It is an invitation. Allah invites you to clean your wealth. He invites you to feed the hungry. He invites you to stand in the shoes of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
This year, make your intention strong. Whether you perform the act locally or send your funds abroad through Watan UK, do it with a happy heart. Every single hair on that animal brings you a reward. May Allah accept your efforts. May He bring joy to your home and peace to the entire Ummah this Eid.
