Qurbani Requirements: Age, Faults, and Time of Slaughter

A valid qurbani needs a specific age that varies by animal type, freedom from clear faults defined by the religion, and slaughter at the correct time, from after the Eid al Adha prayer to sunset on the last day of the days of tashreeq. Miss any one of these requirements, and the animal does not count as qurbani religiously, however good its meat is.

What age counts for each type of livestock?

Before choosing your animal, you need to know two terms scholars use: "jadha'" and "thani." Each type of livestock has a different age jurists consider the starting point of validity, and the gap between them reaches full years for some types.

Type	Sufficient age
Sheep (lamb)	Six months, fully completed
Goat (young goat)	One full year
Cattle	Two full years
Camel	Five full years

The research The Age That Must Be Observed for Qurbani (Arabic) states: "This shows that slaughtering cattle under two years old does not count according to any of the imams." Meaning age here is not an approximate estimate, it is a firm line between an animal that counts as qurbani and one that is just ordinary meat.

Many people buy a lamb around four months old just because it is cheaper and looks big, and this does not count no matter how well fed it is. Age is the standard, not visible size.

What faults prevent a qurbani from counting?

The fatwa Time of Slaughtering Qurbani and the Faults That Disqualify It (Arabic) on Shaykh Ibn Baz's site states: "Four do not count for qurbani: a one eyed animal whose blindness is obvious, a lame animal whose limp is obvious, a sick animal whose sickness is obvious, and an emaciated animal with no marrow left."

These four faults in plain terms are:

• One eyed: has clearly lost an eye, visible to any observer
• Lame: has an obvious limp that stops it walking normally with the herd, more than a slight limp
• Sick: has a clear illness that affects its health and meat, more than a minor ailment
• Emaciated with no marrow: so thin that its bones have lost their marrow from severe weakness

The same fatwa mentions a fifth type the Shaykh favors, an animal missing most of its horn or ear. As for a minor, non obvious fault, such as a slight limp that does not stop the animal walking normally, it does not prevent the animal from counting.

When does the slaughter time start and when does it end?

The same fatwa clarifies that "the qurbani is slaughtered over four days: the day of Eid and the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth days until sunset." Meaning the time begins right after the Eid al Adha prayer, and if you slaughter before the prayer your animal is just ordinary meat and does not count as qurbani. The time ends at sunset on the thirteenth of Dhu al Hijjah, the last day of the days of tashreeq.

So it is four full days, not one day as many people assume. Scholars favor slaughtering early in this window rather than delaying to the last moment.

Is sharing in a cow or camel permitted?

Yes. The fatwa A Seventh of a Cow or Camel Counts for a Man and His Household (Arabic) states: "The authentic sunnah from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, shows that a single head of camel, cattle, or sheep counts for a man and his household however many they are. As for a seventh of a camel or cow, its counting for a man and his household is a matter of hesitation and disagreement among scholars, and the more correct view is that it counts."

Meaning seven people can share one cow or camel, and each of them counts it as their own qurbani. Our view is that this is a genuinely good practical option for someone who wants to include their family or friends in one qurbani rather than seven separate ones, but keep in mind a full head from sheep is preferable to scholars if you are able to afford it.

If you intend to offer qurbani, what is required of you before the slaughter?

The fatwa What Is Required of Whoever Intends to Offer Qurbani (Arabic) states: "Whoever intends to offer qurbani should not take from their hair or nails, if they are offering it for themselves or for their parents and themselves." This ruling starts from the entry of the month of Dhu al Hijjah until their qurbani is slaughtered.

Note an important point: this ruling is specific to the person in whose name the qurbani is slaughtered, not to whoever carries out the actual slaughter. So if you booked your qurbani with us, refraining from cutting hair and nails remains on you from the start of the month, not a requirement on whoever executes it.

What if a fault turns up in the animal after ordering?

This is a question many people who order remotely and cannot inspect the animal themselves ask. The religious answer is clear: the four disqualifying faults prevent the animal from counting regardless of when they are discovered, so inspection before slaughter is a step whoever handles execution may not treat lightly.

This is exactly why we insist on a filmed clip for every order. We do not ask you to just take our word for the animal's soundness, we show it to you. And if the clip is delayed beyond 48 hours from the slaughter, you choose between a re-do or a full refund.

How we do it at Qurba

We execute your qurbani in Africa, and we do not fix the slaughter hour down to the minute, we give you the day only. The name you write is spoken aloud at the slaughter, and a filmed clip is uploaded to your order's tracking page within 48 hours of the slaughter. Cancellation with a full refund is available before the "carried out" stage. After the slaughter there is no cancellation, except the late-video guarantee, and if the wrong name is spoken in the video we repeat the slaughter at our own cost.

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Questions people ask

Does a five month old lamb count?

No. A sheep must be at least six months old, fully completed, and any younger age does not count regardless of the lamb's size.

Is qurbani valid if I slaughter it before the Eid prayer?

It does not count as qurbani. An animal slaughtered before the Eid al Adha prayer is treated as ordinary meat, and qurbani time begins right after the prayer.

How many people can share one cow?

Seven people at most, and the more correct view among scholars is that this counts as an independent qurbani for each of them.

Am I required to stop cutting my nails before qurbani?

Yes, if the qurbani is in your own name or your parents' name, from the entry of the month of Dhu al Hijjah until your qurbani is slaughtered.

When does the qurbani slaughter time end?

At sunset on the thirteenth of Dhu al Hijjah, the last day of the days of tashreeq, four full days after the slaughter window begins.

Is a full head of sheep better than a seventh of a cow?

Yes, the same fatwa states that a full head from sheep is preferable to a seventh in a cow or camel, though both count.

Related: Lamb qurbani · Eid al Adha 1448: expected date and booking your qurbani · Aqiqah animal requirements · How Qurba works

This article is general information, not a fatwa. On disputed points, consult scholars you trust.