Qurbani Rules and Shares: What You Need to Know Before Eid al-Adha

Qurbani — the ritual animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha — follows specific rules on which animals qualify, how many people can share the cost and reward, and how the meat is conventionally distributed.

Which animals qualify, and how many shares

A goat or sheep counts as a single, complete Qurbani on its own — it cannot be split among multiple people. A cow, bull, buffalo, or camel, by contrast, can be shared among up to 7 people, each person's contribution counting as a complete, independent Qurbani. This is a specific, well-established number in Hanafi fiqh — not 6, not 8.

Budgeting for your share

Since a shared animal's total cost is simply divided by the number of shares (up to 7), your actual cost depends heavily on the total animal price, which itself varies enormously by city, breed, and — critically — how close to Eid you're buying, since prices spike sharply in the final week before Eid al-Adha as demand peaks.

The one-third meat distribution convention

A widely followed (though not strictly obligatory) practice is to divide the meat from your share into three roughly equal parts: one-third for your own household, one-third for relatives and friends, and one-third for the poor and needy. This isn't a rigid Quranic requirement in the way Faraid shares are — you're free to give a larger portion to charity than to yourself, and many people do.

Timing matters

Qurbani must be performed within the specific days of Eid al-Adha (traditionally the 10th through 12th of Dhul Hijjah) — an animal sacrificed outside this window doesn't count as Qurbani, so coordinate with your local mosque or Qurbani service on the exact acceptable window each year.

Work out your numbers

Use our Qurbani Share Calculator to see your cost per share for a goat, cow, or camel, and — if you know the animal's total meat weight — get an estimated breakdown of your family/relatives/poor split by weight.

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