Qurbani 2026: Sacrifice Rules, Cost, and How to Perform it by Proxy

Qurbani is one of the most significant acts of worship during Eid al-Adha. However, its rules often raise questions: which animal to choose? When should the sacrifice be made? How can it be delegated to an NGO in full compliance with Sharia?

This guide answers all these questions, providing Islamic rulings and practical information for Eid al-Adha 2026.

What exactly is Qurbani?

The word Qurbani comes from the Arabic "Qurban," meaning "act of offering" or "drawing closer to Allah." In Urdu and Persian, it refers to the ritual sacrifice performed during the days of Eid al-Adha. In classical Arabic and Fiqh, the exact term is Udhiya (أُضْحِية). Both words refer to the same practice.

Qurbani commemorates the complete submission of Prophet Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail at Allah's command, before Allah substituted a ram at the last moment. It is also a confirmed Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who performed this sacrifice every year in Medina.

Allah says in the Noble Quran: "Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him from you is piety." (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:37)

Which animals are permitted for Qurbani?

Sharia precisely defines which animals can be offered as sacrifice and under what conditions.

Permitted species and number of shares

A sheep or a goat counts as a single share of Qurbani. A bovine or a camel can be shared among 7 people, with each share corresponding to a complete Qurbani.

Conditions for the animal's validity

The animal must be healthy and free from serious defects. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "A lame animal whose lameness is obvious, a one-eyed animal whose blindness is obvious, a sick animal whose sickness is obvious, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones, cannot be offered as sacrifice." (Jami at-Tirmidhi, 1497)

Also excluded are animals that have lost more than a third of an ear or a horn, or whose front teeth have fallen out.

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Image : photo of an animal selected for Qurbani, healthy and compliant with Islamic criteria — alt: "Qurbani animal sheep sacrifice Eid al-Adha 2026 Islamic criteria"

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When should Qurbani be performed?

Timing is an essential condition for the validity of Qurbani. Any sacrifice performed outside the prescribed window is not considered a valid Qurbani according to fiqh.

The validity window for Eid al-Adha 2026

A sacrifice performed before the Eid prayer is invalid: it is considered a simple charity (Sadaqa), not a Qurbani. The best time remains Eid day itself, right after the prayer.

A clarification for proxy sacrifice

For those who delegate their sacrifice to an NGO, it is recommended to refrain from cutting hair and nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah (May 18, 2026) until the day of sacrifice. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When you see the crescent of Dhul Hijjah and one of you wishes to offer a sacrifice, he should refrain from cutting his hair and nails." (Reported by Muslim, 1977)

How is Qurbani meat distributed?

The distribution of meat is guided by prophetic tradition. It is ideally divided into three thirds:

• One third for one's own family
• One third to be given as gifts to relatives, neighbors, and friends
• One third as charity to those in need

In the case of a proxy sacrifice performed in a country experiencing a humanitarian crisis, the majority or all of the meat is distributed to vulnerable populations. For many beneficiary families, this is the only time of the year they eat meat.

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Image : photo of Qurbani Life NGO distributing meat to families during Eid al-Adha in a beneficiary country — alt : "Qurbani meat distribution Life ONG Eid al-Adha needy families"

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Sacrifice by Proxy (Al-Wakala): How Does It Work?

Sharia permits entrusting one's Qurbani to a trusted third party to perform it on one's behalf. This is known as the sacrifice by proxy or Al-Wakala. This practice is permissible under Sharia, subject to three essential conditions:

1. Trust (Amana) : the mandated organization must be reliable, transparent, and effectively perform the sacrifice according to Islamic standards.
2. Adherence to Deadlines : the sacrifice must take place between the 10th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah (May 27-30, 2026).
3. Intention (Niyya) : the donor remains the owner of the sacrifice (Sahib al-Udhiya). Their sincere intention at the time of donation is central to the validity of the act.

How to Delegate Your Qurbani to Life ONG in 2026

Life ONG offers a sacrifice by proxy service in several countries where it operates. The process is simple:

1. You make your donation online at life-ong.org/aid-al-adha before May 27, 2026
2. Life selects an animal that meets Islamic criteria in the chosen beneficiary country
3. The sacrifice is performed during the days of Eid, in accordance with local religious and health regulations.
4. The meat is distributed directly to families in need.
5. You receive a GPS tracking of your donation by email to know exactly where your sacrifice was offered.

In which countries does Life ONG perform the sacrifices?

Life ONG performs proxy sacrifices in countries where populations are most in need of food aid, particularly in Palestine, Sudan, Mali, and other active humanitarian crisis zones.

To understand the humanitarian situation in these countries and the concrete impact of your Qurbani on the populations, consult our articles on the crisis in Palestine and the crisis in Sudan.

To understand everything about the celebration of Eid al-Adha 2026, consult our article Eid al-Adha 2026: Date, Meaning, and How to Celebrate. And to make the most of the most blessed day before Eid, our article Day of Arafat 2026: Meaning, Fasting, and Virtues explains how to multiply your rewards on May 26th.

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Image : photo of a Life ONG team on the ground during Qurbani distribution, families receiving their share of meat — alt : "Life ONG team distributing Qurbani Eid al-Adha on the ground to beneficiary families"

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