How Much Qurbani Do You Need to Give? Eligibility, Shares and Rulings

Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic year — and Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice, is central to it. But before you give, most people want to know: am I actually required to give? One or more? For myself only, or for my whole family? The answer involves genuine scholarly discussion, and understanding it helps you fulfil your obligation confidently.

Is Qurbani Obligatory?

This is one of the most debated questions in Qurbani fiqh, and there is a genuine difference of opinion among the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence.

The Hanafi school holds that Qurbani (Udhiyah) is wajib — obligatory — for every adult Muslim who possesses wealth at or above the nisab threshold and is not travelling on the days of Eid. This is the position most widely followed across South Asia, Turkey, and large parts of the Muslim world.

The Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools hold that Qurbani is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) — strongly recommended and disliked to leave without a valid reason, but not technically obligatory. Ibn Qudama writes in al-Mughni that abandoning it without reason is blameworthy, even if it does not reach the level of a sin.

Practically speaking, all four schools agree: if you have the means, give Qurbani. The difference in classification does not change the recommendation. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever has the ability to give Qurbani and does not do so should not come near our place of prayer." (Sunan Ibn Majah, hadith 3123 — scholars differ on this hadith's chain, but it reflects the seriousness with which early Muslims treated Qurbani)

Who Is Eligible — and Who Is Required — to Give?

Whether Qurbani is wajib (Hanafi) or Sunnah Mu'akkadah (majority), the standard conditions for the obligation are consistent across schools:

Muslim. Qurbani is an act of Islamic worship and applies only to Muslims.

Adult (post-puberty). A child who has not reached puberty is not required to give Qurbani, though a parent may give one on their behalf as a voluntary act.

Of sound mind. Someone who is permanently mentally incapacitated is not required to give.

Possessing nisab — or its equivalent — on the days of Eid. The nisab for Qurbani follows the same threshold used for Zakat: ownership of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver (or their cash equivalent) in excess of basic needs. If you own above this amount on the days of Eid al-Adha, you are considered able to give Qurbani.

Not a traveller (in the Hanafi view). The Hanafi school specifically exempts someone travelling. The majority schools do not have this exemption.

One Qurbani Per Household, or One Per Adult?

The majority scholarly position, supported by a hadith in Sahih Muslim (hadith 1960), is that a single sheep or goat counts as one complete Qurbani for one person — but that one cow or camel may be shared by up to seven people. Based on this, each adult Muslim who meets the nisab threshold should ideally give their own Qurbani.

However, there is also a strong tradition of the head of a household giving a single Qurbani on behalf of himself and all members of his household. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have given one Qurbani on behalf of his entire household (Sunan Abu Dawud, hadith 2810; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, hadith 1505). Many scholars — particularly within the Hanbali and Shafi'i schools — hold that one Qurbani is sufficient for the whole household.

The Hanafi position is that each individual adult who meets nisab is personally responsible for their own Qurbani. One animal for a household does not discharge the individual obligations of each adult member.

What About Shares in a Larger Animal?

Cows, buffaloes, and camels may be shared between up to seven people, with each person receiving the full reward of a Qurbani. This is established in Sahih Muslim (hadith 1318). A share in a cow is therefore a valid and full Qurbani for one person.

What If You Cannot Afford Qurbani?

If you genuinely do not possess wealth at or above the nisab threshold on the days of Eid al-Adha, Qurbani is not required of you. If you are able to give but the cost is a consideration, a share in a cow or buffalo is a valid and full Qurbani — often at a significantly lower cost than a whole sheep or goat.

Practical Guidance for Eid al-Adha 2026

Eid al-Adha 2026 falls on Wednesday, May 27. The sacrifice window runs from after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (May 27) through sunset on the 13th (May 30). To give your Qurbani through a charity like Human Appeal, you can donate before or on Eid day — the sacrifice will be performed after the Eid prayer in one of the 41 countries where Human Appeal operates.

Fulfil your Qurbani this year. Give through Human Appeal and join over a million beneficiaries reached in 2025.

Sources

Sahih Muslim: Hadith 1960 — one sheep per person; hadith 1318 — sharing a cow between seven people.

Sunan Abu Dawud: Hadith 2810 — the Prophet ﷺ giving Qurbani on behalf of his household.

Sunan al-Tirmidhi: Hadith 1505 — on household Qurbani.

Sunan Ibn Majah: Hadith 3123 — the Prophet ﷺ on those who abandon Qurbani despite having the means.

Ibn Qudama: al-Mughni — on Qurbani as Sunnah Mu'akkadah in the Hanbali school.

Imam al-Nawawi: al-Majmu' — Shafi'i position on Qurbani eligibility.

By Human Appeal

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