During the blessed festival of Eid al-Adha, Muslims across the globe commemorate the sublime devotion of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon them) through the sacred rite of animal sacrifice, known in Islamic law as Udhiyah (and colloquially as Qurbani). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) affirmed the supreme virtue of this deed: “A human being does no deed on the Day of Nahr more beloved to Allah than shedding the blood of sacrifice.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi). In the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, Udhiyah occupies a uniquely mandatory legal tier.
The Decisive Hanafi Ruling: Qurbani is Wajib (Obligatory)
While the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools categorize Udhiyah as an emphasized Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), the official, authoritative position of Imam Abu Hanifah is that Udhiyah is WAJIB (strictly mandatory) upon every qualifying Muslim. The Prophet (PBUH) issued a severe warning to those who neglect it despite having the means: “Whoever possesses the capacity to sacrifice and does not do so, let him not approach our place of prayer.” (Sunan Ibn Majah). In Hanafi legal methodology, such an explicit prophetic warning establishes categorical obligation (Wujub).
Who is Obligated to Perform Qurbani?
Udhiyah becomes individually Wajib upon meeting five specific criteria during the designated days of sacrifice:
- Being a Muslim: Sacrificial worship is ordained specifically for believers.
- Sanity and Adulthood (Bulugh): According to the primary Hanafi fatwa, Qurbani is Wajib exclusively upon sane adult Muslims. A father is not legally required to offer a sacrifice on behalf of his minor children from their own wealth.
- Residency (Iqamah): A traveler (Musafir) journeying 48 miles or more from their hometown is exempt from the obligation of Qurbani, although if they choose to sacrifice voluntarily, it is valid and rewarded.
- Possessing the Nisab Threshold: The individual must possess surplus wealth—beyond basic necessities, personal living quarters, daily work tools, and immediate debts—equal to or exceeding the silver Nisab (612.36 grams of silver) on any of the three days of Eid.
Crucial Rule on Wealth: Unlike annual Zakah, the Nisab for Qurbani does NOT require the wealth to have commercial growth potential (Nama’), nor does it require the passage of one full lunar year (Hawl). If an individual possesses surplus non-essential personal property (such as extra luxury vehicles, vacant land, valuable jewelry, or savings) reaching the silver Nisab on the morning of Eid, Qurbani is immediately Wajib upon them.
Individual Obligation (No Household Substitution)
In Hanafi jurisprudence, Udhiyah is an individual obligation, not a collective household obligation. If a husband, wife, and adult son living under the same roof each independently possess wealth exceeding the silver Nisab, Qurbani is Wajib upon all three individually. One small animal sacrificed by the father does not legally relieve the mother or adult son of their personal Wajib obligations.
The Prescribed Days and Timings of Sacrifice (Ayyam an-Nahr)
The time window for performing Qurbani is strictly limited to three consecutive days:
- Commencement: The 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm an-Nahr).
- In Cities and Towns: The slaughter cannot begin until the Imam has completed the Eid prayer and Khutbah. Any animal slaughtered before the conclusion of the Eid prayer does not count as Qurbani; it is merely ordinary meat and must be repeated.
- In Rural Villages: In isolated rural areas where Jumu’ah and Eid prayers are not legally established, the slaughter may commence immediately after True Dawn (Subh Sadiq) on the 10th.
- Duration: The slaughter remains valid throughout the 10th, 11th, and concludes strictly at the sunset of the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. While other schools allow sacrificing on the 13th, the authoritative Hanafi position establishes that Qurbani concludes at sunset on the 12th.
- The Most Virtuous Day: Performing the sacrifice on the first day (the 10th) is vastly superior (Afdal) to the second, and the second is superior to the third. Slaughtering during daylight hours is Sunnah; slaughtering at night is disliked (Makruh Tanzihi) due to the risk of improper cutting.
Distribution of the Sacrificial Meat
While an individual is legally permitted to consume the entire meat of their sacrifice or preserve it, the recommended Sunnah practice is to divide the meat into three equal portions:
- One-third distributed to the poor and destitute as charity.
- One-third gifted to relatives, friends, and neighbors.
- One-third retained for one’s own family consumption.
Strict Prohibition on Selling Parts: It is strictly unlawful (Haram) to sell any portion of the sacrificial meat, fat, bones, or skin. Furthermore, the butcher cannot be paid for their labor with meat or hides from the animal; the butcher must be compensated entirely from separate cash funds.
Conclusion
Udhiyah is a profound demonstration of devotion, generosity, and submission to the divine will. Fulfilling this annual Wajib obligation according to classical Hanafi guidelines revives the legacy of Ibrahim (AS) and earns tremendous spiritual rewards.
