Qurbani 2026: sacrifice rules, prices and how to give it by proxy
At a glance
- Qurbani (or Udhiya) is the ritual sacrifice performed at Eid al-Adha 2026, expected on 27 May. It commemorates the submission of the Prophet Ibrahim and is a confirmed Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- The sacrifice must take place between the Eid prayer (27 May) and sunset on the last day of Tashriq (30 May). Any sacrifice made before the prayer is invalid.
- The permitted animals are sheep and goats (1 share each), and cattle and camels (7 shares each). The animal must be healthy, free from serious defects and of the required age.
- Sacrifice by proxy (Al-Wakala) is permitted under Sharia: you entrust your Qurbani to a charity you trust, such as LIFE, which carries it out on your behalf and distributes the meat to people in need.
- LIFE sends you GPS tracking of your donation so you know exactly where your sacrifice was offered. Our donor relations team is on hand to answer all your questions.
Qurbani is one of the most important acts of worship of Eid al-Adha. Yet its rules often raise questions: which animal should you choose? When should the sacrifice take place? How can you entrust it to a charity in full accordance with Sharia?
This guide answers all of these questions, with the Islamic rules 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 in fiqh, the precise term is Udhiya (أُضْحِية). Both words describe the same practice.
Qurbani commemorates the complete submission of the Prophet Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail at Allah's command, before Allah replaced him with a ram at the last moment. It is also a confirmed Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who performed this sacrifice every year in Medina.
Allah says in the Noble Quran: "Neither their flesh nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him from you is piety." (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:37)
In practice
Who should give Qurbani? It is strongly recommended (Sunna mu'akkada) for every adult Muslim of sound mind whose wealth exceeds the Nisab. According to most scholars, one Qurbani per household is sufficient, but each adult may offer an additional one. It is also permitted to give Qurbani on behalf of deceased loved ones.
Which animals are permitted for Qurbani?
Sharia sets out precisely which animals may be offered in sacrifice, and under what conditions.
Permitted species and number of shares
| Animal | Number of shares | Minimum age required |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep / Ewe | 1 share | 1 year (or 6 months if very sturdy, according to some scholars) |
| Goat | 1 share | 1 year |
| Cattle (cow, ox) | 7 shares | 2 years |
| Camel | 7 shares | 5 years |
A sheep or goat counts as a single Qurbani share. A cow or camel can be shared between 7 people, with each share counting as a full Qurbani.
Conditions for a valid animal
The animal must be healthy and free from serious defects. The 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 with no marrow left in its bones, cannot be offered in sacrifice." (Jami at-Tirmidhi, 1497)
Animals that have lost more than a third of an ear or a horn, or whose front teeth have fallen out, are also excluded.
Important
A word of caution on sacrifice by proxy: if you entrust your Qurbani to a charity, check that it selects animals according to Islamic criteria. LIFE is committed to upholding religious and health standards when selecting the animals sacrificed on your behalf, and confirms this to you with GPS tracking.
When should Qurbani be performed?
Timing is an essential condition for a valid Qurbani. Any sacrifice made outside the prescribed window is not considered a valid Qurbani according to fiqh.
The valid window for Eid al-Adha 2026
| Moment | Estimated date 2026 |
|---|---|
| Start: after the Eid prayer | Wednesday 27 May 2026 (morning) |
| End: sunset on 12 Dhul Hijjah | Saturday 30 May 2026 (evening) |
A sacrifice made before the Eid prayer is invalid: it counts as ordinary charity (Sadaqa), not as Qurbani. The best time remains Eid day itself, straight after the prayer.
A note on sacrifice by proxy
If you entrust your sacrifice to a charity, it is recommended that you refrain from cutting your hair and nails from 1 Dhul Hijjah (18 May 2026) until the day of the sacrifice. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When you see the new moon of Dhul Hijjah and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him refrain from cutting his hair and nails." (Narrated by Muslim, 1977)
How is Qurbani meat shared out?
How the meat is shared is guided by prophetic tradition. Ideally, it is divided into three thirds:
- One third for your own family
- One third given as gifts to relatives, neighbours and friends
- One third given as charity to people in need
When the sacrifice is carried out by proxy in a country facing a humanitarian crisis, most or all of the meat goes to vulnerable communities. For many of the families who receive it, this is the only time in the year they eat meat.
Sacrifice by proxy (Al-Wakala): how does it work?
Sharia allows you to entrust your Qurbani to a trusted third party who performs it on your behalf. This is known as sacrifice by proxy or Al-Wakala. The practice is Sharia-compliant on three essential conditions:
- Trust (Amana): the appointed organisation must be reliable and transparent, and must genuinely carry out the sacrifice according to Islamic standards.
- Respecting the timings: the sacrifice must take place between 10 and 12 Dhul Hijjah (27–30 May 2026).
- Intention (Niyya): the donor remains the owner of the sacrifice (Sahib al-Udhiya). Their sincere intention at the time of giving lies at the heart of the act's validity.
How to entrust your Qurbani to LIFE in 2026
LIFE offers a sacrifice-by-proxy service in several of the countries where we work. It's simple:
- Make your donation online at life-ong.org/aid-al-adha before 27 May 2026
- LIFE selects an animal that meets Islamic criteria in the beneficiary country you have chosen
- The sacrifice is performed during the days of Eid, in line with religious rules and local health regulations
- The meat is distributed directly to families in need
- You receive GPS tracking of your donation by email, so you know exactly where your sacrifice was offered
In practice
A note on tax: in France, donations made to LIFE for Qurbani by proxy qualify for French tax relief of 66% of the amount given (up to 20% of taxable income), as LIFE is recognised as a public-interest organisation. A tax receipt is sent automatically after your donation. Our complete guide to tax relief on donations explains how to benefit.
In which countries does LIFE carry out sacrifices?
LIFE carries out sacrifices by proxy in countries where people most need food aid, including Palestine, Sudan, Mali and other areas facing active humanitarian crises.
To understand the humanitarian situation in these countries and the real impact of your Qurbani on the people there, read our articles on the crisis in Palestine and the crisis in Sudan.
For everything you need to know about celebrating Eid al-Adha 2026, read 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 Arafah 2026: meaning, fasting and virtues explains how to multiply your rewards on 26 May.
Entrust your Qurbani 2026 to LIFE
Donate before 27 May at life-ong.org/aid-al-adha. Animal selected according to Islamic criteria. GPS tracking of your sacrifice. Meat distributed to families in need. 66% tax receipt. Donor relations team on hand.
Give my sacrifice by proxy →Frequently asked questions
Is Qurbani obligatory or optional?
Qurbani is a Sunna mu'akkada, a strongly recommended practice. For adult Muslims of sound mind whose wealth exceeds the Nisab, many scholars consider it close to obligatory. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever has the means but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our place of prayer." (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3123)
Is one Qurbani enough for the whole family?
Yes. According to most scholars, a single Qurbani (one sheep, one goat or one share of cattle) is sufficient for the whole household. You may offer an additional one for deceased loved ones or as an extra act of generosity.
Can I give Qurbani for a deceased loved one?
Yes. It is permitted to offer Qurbani on behalf of deceased loved ones, in addition to your own. It is a form of Sadaqa Jariya, a charity whose benefit continues after death.
Is sacrifice by proxy through a charity Islamically valid?
Yes, provided the appointed organisation is reliable, genuinely carries out the sacrifice according to Islamic standards (a compliant animal, timings respected, the Basmala pronounced at the moment of slaughter), and distributes the meat to people in need. LIFE meets these conditions and provides GPS tracking to confirm that the sacrifice has been carried out.
Until when can I give my Qurbani to LIFE for Eid 2026?
LIFE accepts Qurbani donations until the evening of 30 May 2026 (12th day of Dhul Hijjah). We do, however, recommend giving as early as possible, ideally before 27 May, so that LIFE can plan and secure the animals in good time. Our donor relations team is on hand for any questions.
Ready to help?
I start a fundraiser
Support the causes close to your heart by starting an online fundraiser with LIFE.
Raising funds for a charity has never been easier!