The most virtuous days of the entire year. A complete guide on what to do, how to revive the Sunnah, and the rules of Qurbani — based on Qur'an, authentic Sunnah, and the four madhabs.
🚨 Our farmer has reserved lambs & goats exclusively for our community. If we do not confirm by May 21, he will release them. Cow share spots are still open for the 3rd cow. Register today — do not delay.
Allah swore an oath by these ten days in the Qur'an — a sign of their supreme importance. The Prophet ﷺ declared them the greatest days of the year for righteous deeds.
"By the dawn, and by the ten nights."
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The Companions asked: 'Not even jihad in the path of Allah?' He ﷺ replied: 'Not even jihad in the path of Allah — except for a man who goes out with his soul and his wealth and returns with neither.'"
"There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, and no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days. So increase in them your tahleel (Lā ilāha illallāh), takbeer (Allāhu Akbar), and tahmeed (Alhamdulillāh)."
Imam Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani رحمه الله wrote in Fath al-Bari: "The most apparent reason for the ten days of Dhul Hijjah being distinguished is that all the major acts of worship converge in them: prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj — and this convergence does not occur in any other days of the year."
The single greatest day of du'a in the entire year. For those not performing Hajj, fasting this one day expiates the sins of two full years.
"Fasting the Day of Arafah — I hope Allah will expiate the sins of the year before it and the year after it."
Sahih Muslim 1162 | Abu Qatadah al-Ansari رضي الله عنه
The best du'a on this day: Lā ilāha illallāhu wahdahu lā sharīka lahu, lahu'l-mulku walahu'l-hamdu wahuwa 'alā kulli shay'in qadīr — Tirmidhi 3585
The 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah are known as Ayyam al-Tashreeq. These are also blessed days during which Qurbani may still be performed (for those who missed Eid day).
"The days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and the remembrance of Allah."
The righteous predecessors treated these days as the most precious season of the year — they exerted themselves intensely in worship and revived the public Sunnah of dhikr.
"They would go out to the marketplace during the ten days of Dhul Hijjah calling the takbeer aloud, and the people around them would join in the takbeer." They made dhikr public — reviving it in the streets, the market, and the masjid.
"He would exert himself so intensely in worship during the ten days of Dhul Hijjah that he would barely have any strength left in him." This is the example of our pious predecessors — they treated these days as a rare and precious gift.
"Do not neglect these ten days for any reason. The Salaf held them in the highest regard." He would intensify his fasting, his night prayer, his recitation of the Qur'an, and his charity during all ten days — treating each day as irreplaceable.
Every righteous deed in these days is magnified. Do not let a single day pass without intention.
Begin these blessed days by turning back to Allah with a sincere and complete repentance. Repentance is the gateway through which all other acts of worship flow freely. Remove the barriers between you and Allah before these days pass.
Qur'an 66:8 — "Turn to Allah in sincere repentance"The Prophet ﷺ used to fast the first nine days of Dhul Hijjah. At minimum, fast the 9th (Day of Arafah, May 26) — it expiates the sins of two years. This is among the greatest voluntary fasts in the entire Islamic calendar.
Abu Dawud 2437 (Sahih) · Muslim 1162 (Arafah = 2 years expiated)Say these aloud — in the masjid, in the marketplace, at home — reviving the forgotten Sunnah of Ibn 'Umar and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهم. Allāhu Akbar · Alhamdulillāh · Lā ilāha illallāh · SubhānAllāh. Do not be embarrassed to do dhikr publicly — this is the Sunnah.
Musnad Ahmad (Sahih) · Bukhari (Mu'allaq, Ibn 'Umar narration)Increase your recitation with reflection and understanding. Set a daily portion and stick to it — even if a small amount done consistently. These are days when the heart is softened and the reward is multiplied. Read a page more than your usual habit.
Qur'an 73:4 — "Recite the Qur'an with measured recitation"The servant is nearest to Allah in sujud. Add extra voluntary prayers: tahajjud before Fajr, the two raka'at of Duha, and do not rush through your fardh prayers. Every sujud in these ten days carries immense weight.
Sahih Muslim 482 — "The servant is nearest to his Lord in sujud"Make du'a abundantly, particularly between Asr and Maghrib on May 26 (Arafah). Ask for forgiveness, for your family, for the Ummah. The Prophet ﷺ said the best du'a is du'a on the Day of Arafah — do not waste a single moment of it.
Tirmidhi 3585 (Hasan) — "Best du'a is du'a of Arafah"Give generously in these days. Feed the poor, support the masjid, help a family in need. Every dirham given in charity in these ten days carries a reward greater than charity given at any other time. Think of those who have nothing while you are blessed.
Qur'an 76:8 — "They feed food, despite their love for it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive"The greatest deed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah is the sacrifice. The Prophet ﷺ said no deed on Eid day is more beloved to Allah than the flowing of blood in Qurbani. Perform it with your own hands if you are able — this is the Sunnah of Ibrahim and Muhammad ﷺ.
Tirmidhi 1493 (Hasan) · Ibn Majah 3126Call your parents, visit relatives, reconcile with those you have distanced yourself from. These days of mercy extend to the people closest to you. The Prophet ﷺ linked family ties to provision and blessing — strengthen them during the most blessed days.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5988 — "Whoever wishes more provision, let him uphold family ties"Qurbani — the sacrificing of a lawful animal during Eid al-Adha — is one of the greatest outward symbols of Islam. It is an act of pure worship, not merely a meal.
"So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]."
"There is no deed a human being performs on the Day of Nahr (Eid al-Adha) more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood [in sacrifice]. The animal will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns, its hair, and its hooves. The blood reaches Allah before it reaches the ground. So be pleased with it."
"The Prophet ﷺ slaughtered sixty-three camels with his own hand at Hudaybiyah — one for each year of his life — then handed the knife to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, who slaughtered the remaining animals." Sacrificing with your own hands is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
If you are able to attend and slaughter your animal yourself, do so — this is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and of Ibrahim عليه السلام before him. Hand Zabiha LLC performs the slaughter with trained Muslim hands (true zabiha halal), which is also permissible and valid. However, if you can attend and place your hand on the knife, you will have revived the Sunnah in its most complete form.
All four madhabs agree: a Muslim of means should not abandon Qurbani. The difference is whether it is legally obligatory (wajib) or a strongly emphasized Sunnah.
Every adult (sane, free) Muslim who possesses the nisab amount — equivalent to ~612g of silver, or its monetary value — above their basic needs, and is not traveling, must perform Qurbani. In this madhab, it is an obligation, not merely a recommendation. Each member of the household with their own nisab must sacrifice independently.
Strongly emphasized Sunnah for every free, adult Muslim of means. Some Maliki scholars consider it so strongly recommended that abandoning it without a valid excuse is sinful and blameworthy. Giving it up without reason is heavily criticized in this school.
A communal Sunnah (kifāyah) — if one member of the household performs it, the Sunnah is fulfilled for all members. However, it is better for each able adult to sacrifice independently. Abandoning it entirely is strongly disliked for those who can afford it.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal's preferred view leans toward obligation for those of means. Abandoning Qurbani is explicitly disliked in this school. It is sufficient for one sacrifice to represent the household — but individual sacrifice for each member is more virtuous.
Imam Ibn Qudamah رحمه الله wrote in Al-Mughni: "Whoever is able to perform Qurbani and does not — let him not approach our place of Eid prayer." All four madhabs — despite their nuances — agree that a Muslim with means who has never performed Qurbani in their life has neglected a great pillar of the Islamic year. If you can afford it, do not delay another year.
This is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ — slaughtering yourself, distributing to your neighbors, feeding the community, and fulfilling the visible Sunnah in your city. The sacrifice of Eid is meant to be witnessed and shared in your community.
Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ — Muslim 1218Delegating the slaughter to Hand Zabiha LLC's trained Muslim butchers, while you make your intention and possibly attend — this is fully valid and fulfills the obligation. The zabiha must be performed by a Muslim with the proper intention.
Ijma' (consensus) of all four madhabsSending money to a charity to perform Qurbani abroad in your name is permitted and valid. However, it does not fulfill the local, communal Sunnah — you miss the public reminder, the shared meal, and the opportunity to give meat to your local neighbors and community. Ideally, do both: sacrifice locally AND donate for an overseas sacrifice if you can afford it.
Permitted per consensus — but local Sunnah is more completeThese rulings are not optional details — they are the conditions that determine whether your Qurbani is valid. Read carefully and purify your intention before proceeding.
If you intend to perform Qurbani this year, stop cutting your hair, trimming your nails, and removing skin from today until after your animal is slaughtered. This applies to the person paying for/performing the Qurbani — not their family members.
"Whoever has an animal to sacrifice, and the new moon of Dhul Hijjah has appeared, let him not take anything from his hair, or his nails, or his skin, until he has slaughtered."
Cutting or trimming hair (head, body), cutting fingernails or toenails, and intentionally removing skin. Begin refraining from May 18.
Household members (spouse, children, parents) are not bound by this restriction. Only the registered Qurbani performer.
Once your animal is slaughtered (May 27 or during Tashreeq), the restriction lifts. It is then Sunnah to cut hair and nails on Eid day.
If hair/nails are cut unknowingly, there is no expiation — seek forgiveness and continue with your sacrifice as planned (Imam an-Nawawi, Al-Majmu').
Sufficient for one person's Qurbani
A sheep, lamb, or goat counts as one Qurbani for one person. If you are sacrificing a lamb or goat, register one name only. The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed a ram on behalf of himself and his entire household — but the ruling is one individual Qurbani per small animal.
Can be shared among up to 7 people
A cow, buffalo, or camel may be shared by up to seven people — each holding one equal share. Each shareholder must independently intend Qurbani. One name per share — do not list multiple names on a single share. Each share must represent one person's full Qurbani intention.
⚠️ We must confirm all 7 names for the 3rd cow before slaughter. If 7 names are not confirmed, the cow cannot proceed. Register your share now — first come, first served.
Qurbani is an act of worship (ibadah). Your intention must be for the sake of Allah — not simply to obtain meat. If you are joining a cow share, understand this ruling clearly:
"Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah — but what reaches Him is your taqwa (piety and sincerity of intention)."
Before registering, ask yourself: am I doing this because it is an act of worship I owe to Allah? If yes — proceed with barakah. If you are doing it primarily for the meat — reconsider your intention and purify it before participating.
Qur'an 22:37 · All four madhabsSome people have been listing multiple family members under one share — this is not valid. Each share of a cow is one Qurbani for one person. If you want your spouse and children to have their own Qurbani, register separate shares. A lamb/goat may also be registered for one household with the head of household's name.
Some registrations have been submitted with no name at all. Qurbani requires a specific intention for a specific person. Without a name attached, the sacrifice cannot be properly assigned. Every registration must include exactly one full name per share.
'Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه used to sacrifice two rams every Eid: one on his own behalf, and one on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ — as the Prophet ﷺ had instructed him before his death. When asked why, he said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded me to sacrifice on his behalf, and I will never abandon it."
You may register a Qurbani share in the name of a deceased parent, spouse, or loved one. The reward reaches them, by the mercy of Allah. It is counted as sadaqah (charity) on their behalf.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "O Allah, this is from Muhammad and the family of Muhammad" — intending his entire household, past and present. You may make one sacrifice with a broad intention that includes your deceased relatives alongside the living.
Sahih Muslim 1967"Eat of them and feed the poor and the destitute."
| Madhab | Self & Family | Friends & Neighbors | Poor & Needy | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Hanafi | 1/3 recommended | 1/3 recommended | 1/3 recommended | Selling the meat or hide is haram. Giving more to the poor is virtuous. |
| 🟢 Maliki | May keep or give freely | Encouraged generously | Most virtuous to give all away | No strict minimum for charity, but giving sadaqah from it is strongly recommended. Selling is prohibited. |
| 🟢 Shafi'i | Keep 1/3 (preferred) | 1/3 preferred | Must give some; ideally 2/3 | Must give at least a portion to the poor. The preferred position is giving the majority in sadaqah. |
| 🟡 Hanbali | 1/3 recommended | 1/3 recommended | 1/3 recommended — must give some | Withholding entirely from the poor is not permitted. Recommended thirds mirrors the Hanafi view. |
You may not sell the Qurbani meat or its hide for personal profit. It must be eaten, gifted, or given in sadaqah.
According to the majority of scholars including Imam an-Nawawi رحمه الله (Al-Majmu'), it is permissible to give Qurbani meat to non-Muslim neighbors as a gift and act of goodwill.
Giving some of your Qurbani meat to feed the Muslim community at the ISAK Eid Picnic fulfills the "friends and neighbors" portion of the recommended distribution — a beautiful revival of communal Sunnah.
Our farmer has reserved lambs and goats exclusively for this community. After May 21, he will release them to other buyers and we cannot guarantee your animal. Cow #3 has limited spots — first come, first served. Make your intention, purify your niyyah, and register today.
📋 Register for Qurbani Now →