Knowing when to do Qurbani is essential for every Muslim intending to offer Udhiyah during Eid al-Adha. This act of worship is bound to specific days in Dhul Hijjah and must begin only after the Eid prayer on the 10th. The Prophet ﷺ made it clear that any slaughter before the prayer is ordinary meat, not a valid sacrifice. The permissible window then continues through the days of Tashreeq — the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah — ending at sunset on the 13th.
These dates are rooted in the Qur’anic mention of “known appointed days” and reinforced by authentic Hadith and the understanding of the Companions. Whether performing Qurbani locally or delegating it abroad, the timing must follow the location where the animal is sacrificed. Observing this Sunnah timing connects the believer to the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), the remembrance of Allah through Takbir and Dhikr, and the unity of Muslims worldwide during these sacred days.
When to Do Qurbani
Among the sacred rites that define the days of Eid al-Adha, none is more deeply rooted in prophetic tradition than the act of Qurbani (Udhiyah). In my two decades of teaching Qur’an, Hadith, and Fiqh, I have observed that many Muslims understand the importance of Qurbani but remain uncertain about its precise timing. This confusion often leads to invalid sacrifice, missed rewards, or reliance on cultural assumptions rather than sound knowledge. Understanding when to do Qurbani is therefore not a minor legal detail but a matter of obedience tied directly to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Qurbani is not merely the slaughtering of an animal during the days of Eid. It is an act of worship governed by specific times set by Allah and demonstrated by His Messenger ﷺ. Just as Salah cannot be prayed before its time, Qurbani cannot be offered outside its legislated window. The timing of Qurbani is a divinely prescribed limit (ḥadd) that distinguishes valid worship from ordinary slaughter.
The Days of Qurbani in the Qur’an
Allah Almighty refers to the specific days of sacrifice in the Qur’an:
وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ
“And mention the name of Allah on the known appointed days over what He has provided for them of sacrificial animals.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:28)
The scholars of Tafsir, including Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه), explained that “the known appointed days” refer to the days of sacrifice: the 10th, 11th, 12th, and according to many scholars, the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. These are not random days chosen by tradition; they are divinely specified days for this act of devotion.
Qurbani Begins After the Eid Prayer
The most critical rule regarding when to do Qurbani is that it cannot be performed before the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever slaughtered before the prayer, it is meat he presented for his family, and it is not from the sacrifice.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 955, Sahih Muslim 1961
This Hadith establishes a decisive legal boundary. Any animal slaughtered before the Eid prayer does not count as Qurbani, regardless of intention. It is considered ordinary meat.
In communities where people rush to slaughter early in the morning before attending Eid Salah, this Hadith must be remembered. The Sunnah places the prayer first, then the sacrifice.
The First and Best Time: 10th of Dhul Hijjah
The earliest and most virtuous time for Qurbani is immediately after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ himself performed his sacrifice on this day.
Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
“The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two horned rams with his own hands after the prayer.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 5565
This shows both the timing and the preferred practice. The 10th is the best day for Qurbani because it is the day of Eid and the day when the Prophet ﷺ performed it.
The Days of Tashreeq: 11th, 12th, and 13th
If a person cannot perform Qurbani on the 10th, the sacrifice remains valid during the days known as Ayyām al-Tashreeq (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“All the days of Tashreeq are days of sacrifice.”
— Musnad Ahmad 16151 (authenticated by scholars)
These days are extensions of the time of Qurbani. This is a mercy from Allah for those who are delayed due to circumstances.
When Does the Time End?
The majority of scholars, including the Hanafi, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali schools, hold that Qurbani time ends at sunset on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
This gives Muslims four complete days:
- 10th (after Eid prayer)
- 11th
- 12th
- 13th (until Maghrib)
After Maghrib of the 13th, the time for Qurbani ends. Any slaughter after this is not considered Qurbani.
Evidence from the Companions
Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) said:
“The days of sacrifice are the day of Eid and three days after it.”
This statement from a senior Companion clarifies the understanding of the earliest Muslims regarding the timing.
What If Someone Misses the Eid Prayer?
A common question I receive at Tarteel E Quran Online Academy is: What if someone misses the Eid prayer? Can they still do Qurbani?
Yes. The condition is not that the person must attend the prayer, but that the Eid prayer time must have passed in that locality. Once the Eid prayer is concluded in the area, Qurbani becomes permissible for everyone.
Villages Without Eid Prayer
In remote places where Eid prayer is not established, scholars mention that people should wait until after the time when Eid prayer would normally finish in nearby towns before performing Qurbani. This preserves the Sunnah timing.
Night-Time Qurbani: Is It Allowed?
Qurbani during the night of the 11th, 12th, or 13th is permissible according to many scholars, although disliked (makruh) without need. The Sunnah practice is to perform it during the day. However, if necessity requires, night slaughter is valid within the allowed days.
Wisdom Behind the Timing
The timing connects Qurbani to the remembrance of Allah in these sacred days. Allah says:
لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ
“That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah in the known days.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:28)
These are days filled with Takbeer, Dhikr, Salah, and sacrifice. Qurbani is part of a larger spiritual atmosphere, not an isolated ritual.
The Mistake of Early Slaughter
Every year, cases arise where animals are slaughtered before Eid Salah due to haste or misunderstanding. Such Qurbani must be repeated if the person is obligated. The Hadith leaves no room for reinterpretation.
Delegating Qurbani to Another Country
In modern times, many Muslims arrange Qurbani in other countries. The rule of timing still applies: the slaughter must occur after Eid prayer in the location where the animal is being sacrificed, not where the donor lives.
This is an important fiqh point often overlooked.
Combining Intention with Correct Time
Qurbani requires both:
- Correct intention (niyyah)
- Correct timing (waqt)
Without the proper time, the intention alone is insufficient.
The Sunnah Order on Eid Day
The Sunnah sequence on the 10th is:
- Perform Eid prayer
- Listen to Khutbah
- Offer Qurbani
This order reflects submission and discipline in worship.
Reflection from Teaching Experience
Over 20 years, I have seen that teaching Muslims when to do Qurbani corrects more mistakes than teaching how to do it. The timing is where most errors occur. Once this knowledge is clear, the rest of the rulings fall into place naturally.
The Connection to the Legacy of Ibrahim (عليه السلام)
These specific days commemorate the submission of Ibrahim (عليه السلام). The timing is part of reliving that legacy during the days Allah selected for this remembrance.
Legal Summary of When to Do Qurbani
- Starts: After Eid prayer on 10th Dhul Hijjah
- Best day: 10th Dhul Hijjah
- Continues: 11th, 12th, 13th
- Ends: Sunset of 13th Dhul Hijjah
- Before Eid prayer: Invalid
- After 13th Maghrib: Invalid
Scholarly Care in Preserving This Sunnah
Teaching these rulings with precision is part of preserving the Sunnah. At Tarteel E Quran Online Academy, we emphasize that acts of worship are accepted when performed exactly as demonstrated by the Prophet ﷺ — in method, intention, and timing.
A Living Act of Obedience
Qurbani, when done at its proper time, becomes more than ritual slaughter. It becomes a living act of obedience synchronized with millions of Muslims across the world during the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, following the Sunnah with accuracy and devotion.
FAQ Answers
Q1: Is Eid June 6 or 7?
Answer (short): Eid al-Adha depends on moon sighting, so it may fall on June 6 or June 7 depending on your country.
Explanation: The date of Eid al-Adha is determined by the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon. Different regions may announce Eid on different days based on local moon visibility. Always follow your local mosque or official moon-sighting committee.
Q2: Can I do Qurbani on the 3rd day?
Answer (short): Yes, Qurbani is valid on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
Explanation: The days of sacrifice extend over three days after Eid prayer. Performing Qurbani on the third day is completely permissible and rewarded.
Q3: At what age is Qurbani Farz?
Answer (short): Qurbani becomes wajib (necessary) on every sane, adult Muslim who owns nisab wealth.
Explanation: Once a Muslim reaches puberty and possesses wealth equal to nisab (like Zakat threshold), Qurbani becomes wajib according to many scholars. It is not required for children or those without sufficient means.
Q4: Which day is best for Qurbani?
Answer (short): The best day for Qurbani is the 10th of Dhul Hijjah after Eid prayer.
Explanation: The first day carries the greatest reward because it follows the Sunnah practice of the Prophet Muhammad. However, the 11th and 12th are also valid.
Q5: Is Eid on 6th or 7th?
Answer (short): Eid may be on the 6th or 7th depending on moon sighting in your region.
Explanation: Islamic months follow the lunar calendar. Your country’s moon-sighting authority determines the final date of Eid al-Adha.
Q6: Is Eid 31st March 2025?
Answer (short): No, March 31, 2025 is expected to be Eid al-Fitr, not Eid al-Adha.
Explanation: Eid al-Fitr comes after Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha occurs in Dhul Hijjah, about two months later.
Q7: What is the luckiest day in Islam?
Answer (short): There is no “luckiest” day; the most blessed days are the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
Explanation: These days are highly virtuous for worship, especially the Day of Arafah and Eid day. Islam teaches blessings, not luck.
Q8: Do both husband and wife have to do Qurbani?
Answer (short): Yes, if both individually own nisab wealth, each should perform Qurbani.
Explanation: Qurbani is an individual obligation, not a family one. If both spouses meet the financial criteria, both are responsible.
Q9: When should I pay my Qurbani?
Answer (short): Payment should be made before the days of Eid so the sacrifice happens on time.
Explanation: If arranging through an organization, ensure payment is completed before the 10th of Dhul Hijjah so the animal is sacrificed within the valid days.
Q10: What not to do before Qurbani?
Answer (short): Avoid cutting hair and nails after Dhul Hijjah begins if you intend to give Qurbani.
Explanation: This is a recommended Sunnah practice to spiritually prepare for the sacrifice.
Q11: What are the 3 biggest sins in Islam?
Answer (short): Shirk (associating partners with Allah), murder, and disobedience to parents are among the gravest sins.
Explanation: These major sins are clearly warned against in the Qur’an and Hadith and require sincere repentance.
Q12: Can I cut my nails if I give Qurbani?
Answer (short): It is better not to cut nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until Qurbani is done.
Explanation: While not sinful, avoiding nail and hair cutting follows the Sunnah and brings extra reward.
