Every year, the month of Dhul Hijjah provides us with ample opportunities for reward, reflection, blessings, mercy and good deeds. Alhamdulillah, the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are decreed as being the best in the entire year, often considered better than Ramadan! In this way, this beautiful month offers us a second chance after the holy month of Ramadan, enabling us to seek Allah’s mercy and blessings, and to inshaAllah elevate our station in the next life.
These days of Dhul Hijjah are so sacred and revered that Allah (swt) Himself swears an oath by them in the holy Qur’an: ‘By the dawn; by the ten nights’ [The Holy Qur’an, 89:1-2]
Giving a Qurbani donation is one of the ways you can make the best of this time of year, and reap unlimited rewards. However, we know that you might have some questions about your Qurbani donation, so in this blog, we answer some questions we know you might have!
Is it compulsory to give Qurbani every year?
In short, the answer is yes, it is compulsory to make a Qurbani donation every year. The act of giving Qurbani is required of all adult Muslims who are eligible to pay Zakat, every year. The donation must be made in advance of Eid-ul-Adha, as the animal must be sacrificed after Eid Salah (Eid prayer) on Eid morning, and distributed thereafter. However, if one year, your circumstances change and you are no longer required to pay Zakat, you also do not need to offer Qurbani. Making a Qurbani donation is not required of children, and so any Qurbani is only offered by those who fulfil the criteria. This is different to Zakat al-Fitr, which is given at the end of the month of Ramadan, and must be given by, or on behalf of, every member of your household. While a Qurbani donation is required each year, it is entirely your choice as to where you wish to offer your sacrifice, and which animal.
Why is making a Qurbani donation so important?
Giving Qurbani is one of the most beautiful, reflective and rewardable elements of our faith, Islam. Muslims all over the world make a small sacrifice each year, to commemorate and honour the huge sacrifice that our forefather, Prophet Ibrahim (as) was prepared to make out of devotion and commitment to Allah (swt). In a series of dreams, Allah ordered Prophet Ibrahim (as) to sacrifice his son, Ismail (as). Prophet Ibrahim (as) had yearned for a child for many, many years, and after much struggle and hardship, Allah blessed him with a beautiful son, Ismail (as). This made Ismail (as) even more precious to his father, and the thought of sacrificing him was beyond painful. However, Ismail (as) was steadfast in his faith and his knowledge that Allah’s decree is always best, and encouraged his father to do as Allah (swt) has ordered of him. At the time of sacrifice, Prophet Ibrahim (as) blindfolded himself so he did not need to witness what he was about to do. However, Allah swiftly replaced Ismail (as) with a ram, that is believed to have been sent from heaven. Ismail (as) was spared, but Prophet Ibrahim (as) had sacrificed his own attachment to the world for the sake of Allah (swt).
Every year, we are encouraged to reflect on this huge sacrifice, and reconnect with Allah (swt) ourselves. We make a small sacrifice to honour our own commitment to Allah (swt), and reap countless rewards in doing so.
Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
“For every hair of the Qurbani you receive a reward from Allah (swt).” (Tirmidhi).
However, offering Qurbani goes far beyond ourselves, our attachments and our rewards. As part of the tradition of Qurbani, meat is distributed among others. We are encouraged to give at least one-third of the meat to those in need, one-third to our neighbours, and keep one-third for ourselves. For many people living in the West, carrying out a Qurbani at home is almost impossible, so many people rely on charities, like us, to carry out the Qurbani abroad. In this case, all the meat is given to those in need.
With a growing crisis of hunger and poverty, every Qurbani donation is making the world of difference. Your Qurbani is their meal. Millions of people are living in unimaginable hardships, unable to afford and find even basic food. As a result, hundreds of people are dying every single day from starvation, hunger and malnutrition. Your Qurbani donation will help ensure that families who are struggling will have wholesome, nutritious meals over the blessed days of Eid. Not only will you be tackling hunger, you will be spreading the joys and blessings of Eid with those who would otherwise have no way to celebrate.
How do I give my Qurbani?
Muslim Charity has brought back our wonderful Qurbani from just £20! We want to help make sure everyone can fulfil their duty of Qurbani with ease, hope and confidence. Our cheapest Qurbani is available in India and Nepal, where a cow or buffalo share costs only £20. We also offer Qurbani in other countries, and your Qurbani donation can be given across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or simply where most needed.
Our teams are already on the ground, procuring the healthiest animals for your sacred sacrifice. We work locally, working with people from within the communities we serve and using local farms, helping to make your donation go even further. We’re doing more to empower and uplift entire communities, and are very excited about the change that we are making together, Alhamdulillah.
Last year, thanks to your Qurbani, we served over 775,000 people. You can read all about our impact of last year’s campaign by reading our Feedback Report here.
