WHAT ANIMALS MUST BE USED FOR QURBANI?
Only the following animals may be sacrificed for Qurbani:-
Goat and Sheep with a minimum of 1 year each.
Cattle with a minimum of 2 years.
Camels with a minimum of 5 years.
Each goat or sheep suffices for Qurbani for one Muslim male or female; whereas each head of cattle or camel could represent the Qurbani for seven Muslim males and females, provided that:-
All seven participants have uniformity in Niyyah (i.e. either Qurbani or Aqeeqah).
All seven have an equal share, nobody is to have a larger portion than another even at the time of the distribution of the meat.
It is permissible for less than seven people to have shares in a camel or a head of cattle for Qurbani; but not permissible for more than 7 people to do so.
WHAT TYPE OF DEFECTIVE ANIMALS ARE TO BE AVOIDED?
The animals for Qurbani in the Name of Almighty Allah shall be in prime condition of health and free from defects. The following defects in animals disqualifies them from being used for Qurbani:-
Animals without ears or more than one third of the ear is defective, partially blind (one third or more), or totally blind animals; animals with horns broken from the root; animals that have most or all their teeth missing; animals which have limbs broken or used three legs to walk; animals with a third or more or their tail cut off.
Sick and emaciated animals that lack the ability to move or walk.
WHO SHOULD MAKE ZABAH OR SLAUGHTER AND WHAT IS TO BE RECITED?
Owners of Qurbani animals, whether male or female, who have the knowledge of making Zabah should slaughter their own animals.
If other persons are appointed to slaughter on their behalf, then it is better for the owners of the Qurbani animals to be present at the place and time of slaughter.
Before slaughtering, the following Dua should be recited: "Inni wajjahtu wajhiya lillazi fataras samawaati wal arda hanifaw wa maaa ana minal mushrikeen. Inna salaati wanusuki wa mahyaya wamamati lillahi rabbil a'lameen. La sharika lahu wabizaalika umirtu wa ana minal muslimeen. Allahumma minka walak."
The person should then slaughter the animal reading: "Bismillahi Allahu Akbar."
This Dua must also be read: "Allahumma takabalhu minni kama takabalta min habeebika Muhammadiw wa Khaleelika Ibraheema alayhimas salaatu was salaamu."
SOME IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS ABOUT ZABAH
The knife for Zabah has to be sharpened to the optimum, and the slaughter should be carried out quickly and effectively to minimise the suffering sustained by the animal.
The throat of the Qurbani animal should be cut in a manner to ensure that the gullet, the wind pipe and the two external jugular veins are severed.It is Makrooh to severe the entire neck including the vertebrae. At least 3 of the four vessels mentioned above ought to be severed to meet Shari'ah requirements of proper Zabah.
Every effort should be made to ensure that animals are not slaughtered in the presence of other live animals.
In the process of slaughtering, the knife should be concealed till the moment of slaughter and the animal should be placed such that it allows the person slaughtering the animal to face Qibla, as this is Mustahab.
The skinning of the slaughtered animal and dismembering of body parts should not commence until the animal's carcase has turned cold.
If after slaughtering an animal it is discovered that the animal was pregnant and a live foetus appears in the belly, then it is necessary to slaughter that foetus.
DISTRIBUTION OF QURBANI MEAT TO NON-MUSLIMS
Distribution of Qurbani meat or any other charity (sadqa) to "Harbi Kafir" is not permissable at all. It is mentioned in Durr-e-Mukhtar: "Even though a Harbi Kafir is peace-wanting, charity is unanimously not permissable." In Behr-ur-Raiq: "According to Shar'ah, giving something to a Harbi Kafir is not permissable, for no Sawaab can be gained through this."
IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR MUSLIMS
Many people make Qurbani on behalf of their parents, grandparents, Prophets and Saints, and not on their behalf. By doing so, they are neglecting their Waajib and thus become sinners through this action. Every Muslim must first make Qurbani on their behalf first so that their Waajib is fulfilled. Only after the Waajib is completed and if one is able to do so, can Qurbani be made on behalf of others.
It is preferable to make Qurbani on behalf of Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as it is virtuous and beneficial and has his blessings. Our Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) made Qurbani on behalf of all the poor people of his Ummah. This shows the love that he possessed for his Ummah. Therefore, every Muslim who is capable of making Qurbani on behalf of others should make Qurbani on behalf of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
