The Sunnah Way to Do Qurbani Step-by-Step Guide

The right way to perform Qurbani is to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with sincerity, care, and respect. First, the animal should be healthy and meet the age and condition requirements set in Islam. Before the sacrifice, one should make the clear intention (niyyah) and say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” while facing the Qiblah. The act should be done gently with a sharp knife to minimize the animal’s pain. It’s also Sunnah to avoid showing the knife to the animal and not to sacrifice one animal in front of another. Most importantly, Qurbani should be done with a heart full of gratitude and obedience, remembering the deep sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS).

Eid-ul-Adha is more than just a celebration with delicious food and new clothes. It’s a beautiful reminder of faith, sacrifice, and deep love for Allah. The story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his willingness to give up what he loved most teaches us the true meaning of devotion.

Every year, we honor this legacy through Qurbani. The act of sacrificing an animal. But did you know there’s a Sunnah way to perform Qurbani that brings even more reward?

In this blog, I’ll walk you through everything step-by-step, from choosing the right animal to saying the right dua in a simple and easy way. Whether you're doing Qurbani for the first time or just want to refresh your knowledge, this guide is here to help you do it the right way, with sincerity, love, and purpose.

Let’s begin this sacred journey together.

1. The Beauty of Sunnah in Qurbani

Qurbani is more than just a ritual. It reflects our faith, submission, and gratitude. The story behind it is deeply moving. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was ready to sacrifice his son, Ismail (AS), purely out of obedience to Allah. He was about to sacrifice his son. But Allah replaced his son (Hazrat Ismael A.S) with a ram(Dunbah).

This act of selflessness became a part of our deen and is observed every Eid al-Adha.

Following the Sunnah method of sacrifice ensures our Qurbani is not only valid but also spiritually rewarding.

2. Who Should Perform Qurbani?

Qurbani is wajib (obligatory) on Muslims who meet certain conditions.

According to Islamic rules, you should do Qurbani if:

• You are Muslim
  
  

• You have reached puberty
  
  

• You are sane and financially able
  
  

• You own wealth equal to or more than the Nisab (around 87.48 grams of gold or its cash value)
  
  

If you qualify, the responsibility of Qurbani is on you, even if you're living with parents or a spouse who is also doing it.

3. The Right Time to Perform Qurbani

The Islamic way of doing Qurbani starts after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts till sunset on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.

If you sacrifice the animal before Eid prayer, it’s not considered valid Qurbani. That’s why timing matters!

People often ask about the time in different regions. Just remember: Qurbani can only begin after the Eid Salah in your area, not before.

The earlier you do it after Eid prayer, the better; this follows the Sunnah.

4. Choosing the Right Animal (As Per Sunnah)

Not every animal is acceptable for Qurbani. Here are the Qurbani rules in Islam for selecting the right one:

Permissible animals:

• Goat (1 person) – at least 1 year old
  
  

• Sheep/ram (1 person) – at least 6 months old (if it looks like a 1-year-old)
  
  

• Cow/bull (7 people can share) – at least 2 years old
  
  

• Camel (7 people can share) – at least 5 years old
  
  

Make sure the animal is healthy and has no broken horns, missing teeth, blindness, limping, or sickness. The Prophet ﷺ advised us to choose animals that are free from defects.

This shows our respect for the act of worship and the animal we’re offering.

5. Making the Intention (Niyyah) for Qurbani

Before the knife touches the animal, your niyyah (intention) should be clear in your heart. You don’t need to say it aloud, but you must know why you're doing it.

If someone else is performing the Qurbani on your behalf (like at a butcher shop or in another country), make sure your intention is still in place, and you're aware it's being done for you.

Say quietly in your heart, “I am offering this sacrifice only for Allah’s sake.”

6. The Sunnah Way to Perform Qurbani (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to perform Qurbani the Sunnah way:

1. Lay the animal down gently on its left side while facing the Qiblah.
   
   

2. The person sacrificing should say:
   
   
   “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar. Allahumma haza minka wa laka.”
   (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You.)
   
   
   

3. Use a sharp knife and make the cut swiftly to minimize the animal’s pain. This is an act of mercy and compassion, taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
   
   

Always ensure the animal is not stressed or mishandled; it's not just a sacrifice, it’s a form of ibadah (worship).

7. Qurbani Meat Distribution (Who Gets What?)

Islam teaches us to share Qurbani meat in three parts:

• 1/3 for yourself and your family
  
  

• 1/3 for relatives and friends
  
  

• 1/3 for the poor and needy
  
  

This beautiful balance ensures everyone gets to enjoy the blessings of Eid. In today’s world, many also donate to Islamic charities that perform Qurbani for people in need across the globe, which is a great option too.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good intentions, many people make errors during Qurbani. Here are some to avoid:

• Doing the sacrifice before Eid prayer
  
  

• Choosing an unhealthy or disqualified animal
  
  

• Not treating the animal kindly and gently
  
  

• Not making a proper intention
  
  

• Ignoring the Sunnah dua during sacrifice
  
  

• Not sharing the meat fairly with the poor
  
  

Remember: Qurbani is not just about the action, but the spirit and sincerity behind it.

9. Final Words: Qurbani Is Worship, Not Just a Ritual

Qurbani is a reflection of our taqwa (God-consciousness). It’s not about the meat or blood, Allah says in the Quran:

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:37)

So this Eid, let’s make our Qurbani meaningful by learning, preparing, and performing it the Sunnah way.

May Allah accept our sacrifices and fill our homes with barakah, compassion, and joy. Ameen.

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