Eid ul Adha 2024 Rules Everyone Must Follow Including How To Give Qurbani Donations

Families across the UK and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid ul Adha 2024, which translates to the Festival of Sacrifice. These are all the rules for the event which includes a sacred act of worship known as Qurbani.

Every year during the holy month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims perform – or pay for – animal sacrifices to honor the Prophet Ibrahim’s desire to sacrifice his son Ismail when Allah commanded him to do so. Just as he was about to fulfill the command, a ram was presented to him to kill.

So every year on Eid ul Adha, every head of the family arranges to slaughter a domesticated animal. This is known as Qurbani, an Arabic term meaning sacrifice. There are many rules that must be followed for this to be considered a proper Qurbani.

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Traditionally, one third of the meat is kept by the family for their own Eid feast, another third goes to relatives and the last portion is given to those in need. These days, this often takes the form of a donation to a relief organization that uses the funds to provide meals to people living in poor areas of the world so they too have a chance to celebrate.

People can arrange with local charities to donate some or all of the meat to the needy in their immediate area or overseas. Green Lane Masjid and Community Center (GLMCC) in Birmingham runs an international Qurbani service through its charity Taskforce GLM, which allows people to choose from over 10 countries where their donations can be distributed.

It said: “We work diligently to ensure that your donations reach those who need them most, making a tangible difference to their lives. By donating your Qurbani to the GLM Taskforce, you will enable the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities to enjoy Eid, as it is the only time many families eat meat throughout the year.”

What are the rules of Qurbani?

• Qurbani is obligatory for every Muslim adult who is financially able to do it; of sound mind; and not travel too far from home.
• Qurbani must be given on the 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah
• Sacrifices can only be made after the Eid prayer (sacrifices made before are not counted as Qurbani)
• Animals for sacrifice must meet minimum age and health requirements
• Qurbani sacrifices should be given in three parts – one for the person making it (who then shares with family), one for friends and relatives, and one for the poor. The meat is divided by weight.

Every adult should offer at least one Qurbani which is then divided into three parts. This would usually be a smaller animal such as a sheep or goat. Larger animals such as camels, cows and buffaloes can represent up to seven Qurbani people.

Qurbani animals must be purchased a few days before the sacrifice. They must be properly fed and well cared for in the coming days. Eligible animals are:

• Sheep and goats at least one year old (enough for one person’s Qurbani)
• Cows or buffaloes at least two years old (enough for Qurbani for seven people)
• Camels at least five years old (enough for Qurbani of seven people)

All animals must be healthy and disease free. In the UK, animals can only be slaughtered by registered slaughterhouses. Sacrifices may begin after the Eid prayer on the first day of Eid ul Adha and continue until Maghrib (sunset prayers) on the third day of Eid.

Muslims are allowed to donate Qurbani on behalf of other people, including those who have died. But they are not expected to donate on behalf of adult children who are expected to pay their own share. If you are required to donate Qurbani, the minimum is one share, which is equivalent to one sheep/goat or one-seventh of a cow, buffalo or camel.

It is permissible to donate more than one Qurbani if ​​you wish to do so. Some charities allow you to donate one Qurbani in the UK and one abroad. Many people give multiple donations.

Islamic Relief says it decides who will receive the meat purchased with the donations it receives, using the following criteria:

• Families living on less than the minimum income for that country
• Households headed by women
• Families including disabled and/or elderly people
• Children under five
• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding mothers
• Families with little or no market access

Scholars recommend that once the new moon of Dhul Hijjah appears, people should not cut their hair or nails until they have offered the sacrifice. Some believe this is mandatory, but opinions vary.