Every year, in the days of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal and share its meat. It remembers the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, and the ram Allah sent in his place.
In the UK, Qurbani (also called Udhiyah) works a little differently from what many families remember from back home. Here's what you need to know.
This is a summary of mainstream positions, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a scholar you trust.
Who should give Qurbani?
Scholars differ on how strong the duty is:
- Hanafi school: Qurbani is wajib (obligatory) for every adult, sane Muslim who has wealth above the nisab threshold during the days of Eid and is not travelling.
- Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools: it is a sunnah mu'akkadah, a strongly recommended act that a Muslim who can afford it shouldn't neglect.
In many families, each adult who meets the threshold gives their own share.
When is it done?
The sacrifice starts after the Eid al-Adha prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. It continues until sunset on the 12th, or the 13th in the Shafi'i school. An animal sacrificed before the Eid prayer doesn't count as Qurbani.
Those intending to give are recommended not to cut their hair or nails from the start of Dhul Hijjah until their sacrifice is done.
Qurbani 2027 dates
Eid al-Adha 2027 is expected on or around Sunday 16 May 2027 in the UK, possibly a day later, depending on the moon sighting. If Eid falls on the 16th, the days look like this:
| Day | 10 Dhul Hijjah | 11 Dhul Hijjah | 12 Dhul Hijjah | 13 Dhul Hijjah |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected date | Sun 16 May | Mon 17 May | Tue 18 May | Wed 19 May |
| Qurbani? | Yes, after the Eid prayer | Yes | Yes | Shafi'i school only |
Your mosque will confirm the date nearer the time. Most butchers and charities take orders a few weeks before Eid, so it's worth booking early.
Which animals count?
| Animal | Shares | Minimum age (common view) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep | 1 | 1 year (Hanafis also allow a well-grown sheep of 6 months or more) |
| Goat | 1 | 1 year |
| Cow or buffalo | 7 | 2 years |
| Camel | 7 | 5 years |
The animal should be healthy and free of clear defects, such as blindness, a broken horn at the root, obvious lameness or severe thinness.
Doing Qurbani in the UK
Slaughter without stunning for religious reasons has to take place in an approved slaughterhouse under conditions set out on GOV.UK, so families don't sacrifice at home. That leaves two common routes:
- Through a local halal butcher or mosque. Many arrange Qurbani at a licensed abattoir, and you collect the meat or have it shared out. Book early, as places fill up before Eid.
- Through a charity abroad. Many UK charities carry out Qurbani in countries where meat is scarce and distribute it to families in need. This is valid, and many scholars praise it for reaching people who rarely eat meat.
If you give through a charity, check that it explains where and when the sacrifice happens, and that it follows the rules on timing and animal quality.
| Qurbani in the UK | Qurbani abroad through a charity | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher | Usually much lower |
| The meat | You receive it and share it | Given to families in need |
| What to check | The butcher, abattoir and halal standard | That the charity is registered with the Charity Commission and confirms when it's done |
Collecting your meat
Meat normally has to be chilled before it leaves the abattoir, and arrangements for collecting Qurbani meat vary, so ask your butcher or charity how and when you will get it.
Stunning
Many UK abattoirs stun animals before slaughter. If you only accept Qurbani without stunning, ask which certifier the butcher or abattoir uses before you book. See HMC vs HFA and is stunned meat halal?
Sharing the meat
It's recommended to divide the meat into three parts: one for your household, one for relatives and friends, and one for people in need. This isn't a strict rule, and giving more to those in need is praiseworthy. The skin and meat shouldn't be sold, and the butcher shouldn't be paid with them.
Qurbani versus aqiqah
Qurbani is linked to Eid al-Adha. Aqiqah is a separate sacrifice to celebrate the birth of a child, usually on the seventh day. Some scholars allow the two intentions to be combined in a large animal's shares; ask a scholar about your situation.
Planning ahead
Eid al-Adha moves about 11 days earlier each year, because the Islamic calendar is lunar. Set a reminder at the start of Dhul Hijjah so you can book your share in time. Our prayer times pages help with the day itself.
Frequently asked questions
When is Qurbani 2027 in the UK?
Eid al-Adha 2027 is expected on or around 16 May 2027, depending on the moon sighting. Qurbani can be given from after the Eid prayer until sunset on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah, or the 13th in the Shafi'i school.
Can I do Qurbani at home in the UK?
No. In the UK, animals must be slaughtered in a licensed slaughterhouse. Book through a halal butcher, a mosque, an abattoir or a charity.
How many people can share a cow?
Up to seven. A sheep or goat counts as one share.
Can I give Qurbani for someone who has died?
Most scholars allow it, and many families do. If the person asked for it in their will, it should come from their estate.
