How to select your Animal for Qurbani
Not all animals are suitable for Qurbani and there are rules advised for the health and age of an animal for them to be eligible for sacrifice. The age of the animal should meet a minimum of:
- One year in age for sheep and goats (equivalent to one person’s Qurbani share)
- Two years in age for cows and buffalo (equivalent to seven persons’ Qurbani share)
- Five years in age for camels (equivalent to seven persons’ Qurbani share)
Any animal chosen for sacrifice should be in good health and have no illness or disease including:
- Their horns cannot be broken
- They must have at least half their teeth
- They cannot have lost a third or more of their ears or tail
- They cannot be blind or have lost a third or more of their sight
- They must be able to walk without limp or lameness
- They must be well-fed and raised with care, not thin or lean
Qurbani animals for sacrifice can be either male or female.
For those who want to offer a sacrifice, it’s recommended according to the majority of the scholars that once the new moon of Dhul Hijjah appears (i.e. on the 1st of Dhul Hijjah), you do not remove anything from your hair, nails or skin until you have offered the sacrific.
