Every year, as Eid al-Adha approaches, Muslims around the world prepare to offer Qurban.
For some, it is something they have grown up watching their families do every year. For others, it may be the first time they are arranging a Qurban of their own but behind the sacrifice is a story much bigger than the act itself.
The Qurban is an act of worship that remembers the faith, trust, and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and gives us an opportunity to turn that legacy into something another family can share today.
Qurban, also known as Qurbani or Udhiyah, means sacrifice.
During the days of Eid al-Adha, an eligible animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow or camel, is sacrificed for the sake of Allah (SWT).
The act remembers Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) willingness to obey Allah, even when he was asked to give up what he loved most, but the Qurban is not simply about sacrificing an animal.
At its heart, it is about obedience, sincerity, and drawing closer to Allah.
The story begins with Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Allah tested Ibrahim’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail (AS). Both father and son submitted to the command of Allah, but before the sacrifice took place, Allah provided an animal to be sacrificed instead.
Their story became one of the most powerful examples of tawakkul, complete trust in Allah, and every year, Muslims remember that devotion through Qurban.
We may not be asked to face the same test as Ibrahim (AS), but the story still asks something of us:
What are we willing to give for the sake of Allah?
The Qurban is performed during Eid al-Adha, beginning after the Eid prayer on 10 Dhul Hijjah and continuing throughout the prescribed days of sacrifice. Because Eid follows the Islamic lunar calendar, the Gregorian dates change every year.
Many people arrange their Qurban donation before Eid so the sacrifice can be organised and completed within the correct timeframe.
Qurban is an important act of worship for Muslims who have the financial means to offer it.
There are differences of scholarly opinion regarding whether Qurban is obligatory or a strongly emphasised Sunnah, and the conditions can vary depending on the school of Islamic jurisprudence you follow.
If you are unsure whether Qurban applies to you, our Eid al-Adha and Qurban Guide explains the rules in more detail.
The Qurban was never meant to be an act that ends with the sacrifice.
Meat can be shared with family, neighbours, and people experiencing hardship. Islamic teachings encourage Muslims to eat from the sacrifice and share it with others, and this is where the Qurban becomes something another family can feel.
A meal prepared for Eid. Nutritious meat on a table may be a rare luxury. A family able to celebrate with dignity alongside the rest of the Ummah.
The sacrifice may occur in one place, but its impact can travel much further.
Today, many Muslims choose to arrange their Qurban through a trusted charity.
A Qurban donation allows the charity to organise an eligible animal, carry out the sacrifice during the prescribed days, and distribute the meat to families in need.
It means that even when you cannot personally arrange the sacrifice, you can still fulfill your Qurban through an organization acting on your behalf.
For many of us, Eid means knowing there will be food waiting when the family gathers.
The Qurban gives us the opportunity to help extend that feeling beyond our own homes.
Your Qurban can help provide meat to families experiencing poverty, displacement, and food insecurity, allowing more people to share in the joy of Eid.
It begins with an act of worship.
Then it becomes a meal.
A gathering.
A moment of dignity for another family.
Give your Qurban and share the blessings of Eid.
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