Qurbani Consumer Guide
Qurbani It is incumbent upon every Muslim to follow in the footsteps of Prophet abraham (pbuh) and have an animal sacrificed as thanks to God during the festival of Eid-al-adha. This is called Qurbani and it occurs during the time of Eid-al-adha. There are said to be blessings for every fibre of wool or every strand of hair of the sacrificed animal. Information contained in the following pages aims to help answer some questions on following best practice for Qurbani.
Dr Phil Hadley AHDB Beef and Lamb head of supply chain business development
Procuring the animal Select the best possible animal. Healthy animals are essential for Qurbani. Poor quality animals – old, lame, those with broken teeth, for example – cannot be sacrificed. The animal must be of a mature age. Scholars generally agree that for lambs it can be 6 months, as long as they appear to be one-year-old. Place your orders well in advance to ensure the Qurbani animals are procured and sacrificed at the correct time.
Timing of the Qurbani The Qurbani must be performed at the correct time, otherwise it is ineligible. Eid prayers can only be performed after sunrise and before Zawaal (noon) on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. Qurbani can only begin after Eid prayers have been completed. If it is performed before time then it is ineligible to be Qurbani and will be considered everyday meat. Qurbani can be performed for 3 days up to sunset on 13th Dhul Hijjah.
Key dates Eid-al-Adha is on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah which is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The pre-calculated Saudi Arabian civil calendar, known as ‘Umm al-Qura’, estimates 10th Dhul Hijjah to be Wednesday 23rd September in 2015. The exact date is confirmed when Saudi Arabia confirm the start of 1st Dhul Hijjah, which is traditionally announced the night before by sighting the new crescent moon in Makkah.
Charity and meat distribution The value of the skin and other by-products should be given to the poor and not offset against the cost of the Qurbani. The abattoir or butcher can facilitate this on enquiry. When receiving the meat, verify the abattoir or butcher has performed the Qurbani on time. Typically, Qurbani meat is distributed in three portions – one for the person’s family, one for friends and neighbours and one for charity. Family time is to be enjoyed!
AHDB Beef & Lamb, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2TL T: 024 7669 2051 W: beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk AHDB Beef & Lamb is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Š Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2015. All rights reserved.