Eid ul Azha is not just about sacrificing an animal; it is a deep act of obedience, gratitude, and devotion to Allah. The Sunnah of Qurbani teaches us the true essence of sacrifice and submission, following the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
In this blog, we’ll explore the Sunnah way of performing Qurbani, its spiritual benefits, and how we can make our sacrifice more meaningful.
1. The Story Behind Qurbani: Why Do We Sacrifice?
The act of Qurbani originates from the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he dreamt that Allah commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS) as a test of faith.
🔹 Complete Trust in Allah: Prophet Ibrahim (AS) prepared to obey without hesitation.
🔹 Ismail (AS) Submitted Willingly: He accepted Allah’s command with patience.
🔹 Allah Replaced Him with a Ram: A miracle of mercy, teaching us that true sacrifice is in submission to Allah’s will.
📍 Lesson: Qurbani symbolizes obedience, patience, and unwavering faith in Allah.
2. Sunnah of Performing Qurbani the Right Way
Following the Sunnah (way of the Prophet ﷺ) when performing Qurbani ensures that it is done in the most rewarding and blessed manner.
✅ Before the Qurbani:
✔ Make Intention (Niyyah): Have a sincere intention to seek Allah’s pleasure.
✔ Avoid Cutting Hair & Nails: From the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after Qurbani (Sahih Muslim 1977).
✔ Say Takbir: Recite “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa Lillahil Hamd“ from the 9th-13th of Dhul Hijjah.
✅ During the Qurbani:
✔ Choose a Healthy Animal: The animal should be healthy, free of defects, and meet the age requirement (sheep/goat: 1 year, cow/camel: 2 years).
✔ Slaughter with Mercy: Use a sharp knife to ensure a quick and painless sacrifice.
✔ Recite: “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar. Allahumma taqabbal minni hadhihi al-udhiyah.”
(In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, accept this sacrifice from me.)
✔ Face Qibla: It is Sunnah to turn the animal towards the Qibla before slaughtering.
✔ Distribute Meat in Three Parts:
1️⃣ For yourself and family
2️⃣ For relatives and friends
3️⃣ For the poor and needy
📍 Pro Tip: The best Qurbani is done with your own hands, but if you cannot, ensure it is performed by someone with knowledge of Islamic rulings.
3. Spiritual Benefits of Qurbani
Qurbani is more than just sacrificing an animal—it is an act of faith and devotion that brings immense rewards.
💖 1. It Strengthens Our Connection with Allah
✔ Qurbani is a direct act of obedience and submission to Allah’s command.
✔ It reminds us to sacrifice our desires and material attachments for the sake of Allah.
🏆 2. It Earns Immense Rewards
✔ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of sacrifice than the sacrificing of animals.” (Tirmidhi 1493)
✔ Every hair of the sacrificed animal is counted as a reward (Ibn Majah 3126).
❤️ 3. It Teaches Compassion and Sharing
✔ Qurbani eliminates greed and selfishness by encouraging us to share with the less fortunate.
✔ Feeding the poor is a source of blessings and purification.
🕊 4. It Reminds Us of the Reality of Life
✔ Just as we sacrifice animals, one day our souls will also return to Allah.
✔ It teaches us that true success lies in submitting to Allah’s will.
📍 Pro Tip: Perform Qurbani with gratitude and sincerity—this is what truly pleases Allah!
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid in Qurbani
Even with the best intentions, some people unknowingly make mistakes that reduce the rewards of Qurbani.
❌ Delaying Qurbani beyond the 10th-12th of Dhul Hijjah (It must be done within these days).
❌ Choosing an animal with defects (blind, sick, weak, or injured animals are not acceptable).
❌ Not distributing the meat properly (hoarding it all instead of sharing).
❌ Slaughtering in an unclean or disrespectful manner.
❌ Forgetting to recite the Takbir and Dua during sacrifice.
📍 Pro Tip: Always follow Islamic guidelines to ensure your Qurbani is accepted by Allah.
5. Qurbani Beyond the Ritual: True Sacrifice in Our Lives
While Qurbani is a physical act, its true essence lies in sacrificing our ego, bad habits, and worldly attachments for the sake of Allah.
🕌 How Can We Apply the Spirit of Sacrifice in Daily Life?
✔ Sacrifice our pride and forgive those who wronged us.
✔ Sacrifice materialism by giving more in charity.
✔ Sacrifice laziness by committing to regular prayer and good deeds.
✔ Sacrifice time for our loved ones and those in need.
📍 Pro Tip: Make a personal sacrifice list this Eid and commit to improving yourself spiritually!
Final Thoughts
Qurbani is not just about slaughtering an animal; it is a deep spiritual act that reminds us of our purpose in life—submission to Allah’s will. By following the Sunnah, making duas, and distributing meat with a generous heart, we can ensure our sacrifice is accepted and rewarded.
📢 What does Qurbani mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
