Details about animal for Qurbani

Animals specified for Qurbani

The animals specified for Qurbani are these: goat, ram, sheep, bull, cow, he-buffalo, buffalo and camels. Qurbani of animals other than the specified ones is not correct. As per Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol 5, pg no. 297.

Only 7 persons can participate in the qurbani of a cow or camel

Qurbani of a camel or cow on the behalf of 7 persons is permissible. There is a Hadith in given in Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol 2, Pg no. 388

Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir bin Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: A cow is on the behalf of 7 persons and a camel is on the behalf of 7 persons.

In a goat, ram or sheep, one animal can be on the behalf of 1 person only. In buffalo, cow and camel, one animal can be on the behalf of 7 persons .i.e. 7 persons can participate in the Qurbani of such animals. As given in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 5 on Pg no. 297.

To participate in the Qurbani of such an animal, it is necessary that all the participants should have the intention of Qurbani only and that all participants should pay the 7th part of the price of the animal. It is better that all of them are present at the time of the buying the animal. It is correct if one person buys with for 7 persons. The meat of the Qurbani should be distributed equally. If even one person participates with the intention of something other than Qurbani, like with the intention of eating meat or doing business with the meat or if even one person does not pay the price properly or if the meat is not distributed properly, then the Qurbani of all the 7 becomes invalid. As given in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg no. 305.

If any person buys an animal with the intention of one Qurbani, but later on allows other people also to participate, then the Qurbani will be valid, but this is not free of undesirability (karahat). But if at the time of buying the animal, the person has the intention of inviting other people to participate, then there is no undesirability, provided the person is affluent and Qurbani is Wajib on that person. As given in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg no. 304.

In the event of participation, all the participants should distribute the meat by weight and not by estimate. But if the head, legs etc. are also included with the meat, then there is no problem in distributing the meat by estimate.

One goat can be on the behalf of one person only

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) slaughtered 1 goat on the behalf of His Kinsfolk (Ahle Bait) and on the behalf of the Ummah. On the basis of this Hadith, some people say that in a goat, 7 people can also participate. However, it is not so. One goat can be on the behalf of one person only, not on the behalf of 7 persons; because the mentioned Hadith is about optional Qurbani (Nafl Qurbani).

The meaning and import of this Hadith is that if the Qurbani is only for the sake of reward, then 7 or more persons can participate. However, when the Qurbani is Wajib, then 1 goat can be on the behalf of one person only.

In a Wajib Qurbani, participation of more than 1 person in a goat is impermissible (Najaayiz), as given in this Hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol 2, Pg no. 226:

Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with him) that a person came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked: I have to slaughter a camel (for Qurbani of 7 persons). I am able to bear the expenses, but I am not able to buy a camel. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said that he should buy 7 goats and slaughter them.

This Hadith has been mentioned by the Muhaddith of Deccan Hadhrat Abdullah Shah Sahab Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) in Zujajatul Masabeeh, Vol 1, pg no. 405/406.

If in the Qurbani of a goat, 7 persons could participate, then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would have said that if a camel cannot be obtained for Qurbani, then buy a goat and slaughter it on the behalf of 7 persons, but the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not order that a goat should b slaughtered, but said that 7 goats should be slaughtered.