Blog
Qurbani Animals: The Complete Rules and Requirements in Islam
Only specific animals are valid for Qurbani. Only animals of specific ages and health conditions are valid. These rules come directly from the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and are agreed upon by all four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Understanding them is essential for ensuring your Qurbani is accepted.
Which Animals Are Valid for Qurbani?
Allah mentions in the Quran the category of animals suitable for Qurbani: ‘bahimatul an’am’, which refers to domesticated cattle and livestock. Based on this Quranic guidance and the Sunnah, scholars have confirmed four categories:
- Goat (male or female)
- Sheep and ram (male or female, including lamb under specific conditions)
- Cow, bull, and buffalo
- Camel (male or female)
No other animals are valid for Qurbani. Chickens, fish, deer, and other animals cannot fulfil the Qurbani obligation regardless of their monetary value.
Minimum Age Requirements
| Animal | Minimum Age | Notes |
| Goat | 1 full year (12 months) | Must have completed one year of age |
| Sheep / Ram | 1 full year, OR 6 months if plump and robust (Hanafi only) | A 6-month-old sheep may be valid in Hanafi school if it looks like a 1-year-old |
| Cow / Bull / Buffalo | 2 full years (24 months) | Must have completed two years |
| Camel | 5 full years (60 months) | Must have completed five years |
At Qurbani for Unity, all animals are confirmed to meet their minimum age requirements before being designated for Qurbani orders. Our own-farm approach means we have age records from when the animals were born or first brought to our facility.
Conditions That Disqualify an Animal
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) specified conditions that make an animal unfit for Qurbani. These are agreed upon across all madhabs:
- Clearly blind in one or both eyes
- Clearly lame and unable to walk normally
- Extremely emaciated and malnourished (to the point of having no marrow in the bones)
- Severely ill with an obvious disease
- Missing more than one third of the ear or tail
- Missing more than one third of teeth (some scholars specify this as a concern for older animals)
Minor imperfections, such as a small nick on an ear or a slight limp that does not prevent normal walking, do not disqualify an animal. The condition must be severe and obvious.
Because Qurbani for Unity raises its own animals, we monitor health continuously. An animal showing signs of illness before Eid will not be designated for Qurbani. Our farm stock includes reserve animals precisely for this purpose. [LINK: /our-farm-pakistan]
How Many People Does Each Animal Serve?
| Animal | Shares | People Per Animal |
| Goat | 1 share only | 1 person’s full Qurbani |
| Sheep / Ram | 1 share only | 1 person’s full Qurbani |
| Cow / Bull / Buffalo | Up to 7 shares | Up to 7 people, one share each |
| Camel | Up to 7 shares | Up to 7 people, one share each |
When a cow is shared among seven people, each person’s Qurbani is fully valid as long as each person’s intention is solely for Qurbani and not for a mix of Qurbani and other purposes in the same animal.
| All Our Animals Are Farm-Raised and Shariah-Verified — Book Yours QurbaniForUnity.com/shop |
Frequently Asked Questions: Qurbani Animals
| Can a pregnant animal be used for Qurbani? Yes. A pregnant animal is valid for Qurbani. There is nothing in authentic narrations that prohibits it. However, many scholars recommend that a non-pregnant animal be preferred where available, out of caution for animal welfare. |
| Can a castrated male animal be used for Qurbani? Yes. Castrated males are permissible for Qurbani. The Prophet (PBUH) himself sacrificed castrated rams. In some cases, castrated animals are considered superior due to their greater size and better meat quality. |
| What if the animal is found to be slightly younger than required? If an animal is discovered to be genuinely below the minimum age, the Qurbani from that animal is not valid and must be repeated with a valid animal. This is why buying from a trusted farm-based source with age documentation is so important. |
