Understanding the Proofs, Hadiths, and Rulings of Qurban in Islam

Qurban is an act of worship that has a deep meaning in Islam. It means sacrifice, sharing, and following the example of the righteous. In this article, we will discuss the proofs and rulings related to qurbani. 

The Proofs of Qurban 

1. Surat Al-Kautsar, verse 2

Allah ﷻ says: 

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ

So establish prayer for the sake of your Lord, and Qurban (Surah Al-Kautsar:2). 

This verse combines the command to Qurban with the command to pray, which shows the virtue and great position of Qurban. 

2. Surah Al-Hajj, verse 36

Allah ﷻ says: 

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

And We have made the camels for you part of the signs of Allah, and you will find much good in them, so call upon the name of Allah when you slaughter them while they are standing (and bound). Then when it falls down (dead), then eat some of it and feed those who are content with what they have (who do not beg) and those who ask. Thus We have subjected the camels to you, that you may be thankful (QS Al-Hajj: 36).  

This verse confirms that the sacrificial animals are part of the shariah of Allah ﷻ and slaughtering them is an act of worship that brings good. 

3. Hadith on the Virtue of Qurban:

Sayidah Aisha, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sallam said: 

 عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا عَمِلَ آدَمِيٌّ مِنْ عَمَلٍ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ أَحَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ إِهْرَاقِ الدَّمِ إِنَّهَا لَتَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقُرُونِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا وَأَظْلَافِهَا وَأَنَّ الدَّمَ لَيَقَعُ مِنْ اللَّهِ بِمَكَانٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقَعَ مِنْ الْأَرْضِ فَطِيبُوا بِهَا نَفْسًا. 

Aisha RA reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ‘There is no deed that the son of Adam [man] does on Eid al-Adha that Allah loves more than slaughtering an animal. Because the animal will come on the Day of Judgement with its horns, feathers, and hooves. The blood of the animal will reach Allah before it drips onto the ground. So make up your mind to do it,’ (H.R. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah). 

This Hadīth shows that performing the Qurban on the day of Eid al-Adha is the best act of worship compared to other acts of worship. 

4.Hadith About Giving the Best in Qurban: 

ضَحَّى النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ بكَبْشينِ أمْلَحَيْنِ أقْرَنَيْنِ، ذَبَحَهُما بيَدِهِ، وسَمَّى وكَّرَ، وَضَعَ رِجْلَهُ علَى صِفَاحِهِمَا.

The Prophet Qurban two fat and horned goats. He slaughtered the two goats himself. He recited the basmalah, said the takbir, and placed his feet on the shoulders of the two goats (HR Al-Bukhari). 

This hadith provides a direct example from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about sacrificing the best that we can do. 

5. Hadith about the Obligation of Qurban:

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

عن أبي هريرة، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ‘مَن كان له سَعَة، ولمْ يُضَحِّ، فلا يَقْرَبَنّ مُصَلّانا’   

Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu anhu reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ‘Whoever has enough money and does not offer a Qurban, let him not come near our prayer ground.’ (Ahmad and Ibn Majah).  

This Hadīth shows that failing to offer a Qurban for those who can afford it is highly despised in Islam. 

Ruling on Qurban 

1. Obligatory For Those Who Can Afford It 

Some scholars are of the opinion that qurbani is obligatory for those who can afford it. Imam Abu Hanifah and some other scholars are of this opinion. The Hadith on which Imam Abu Hanifah relied is: 

عن أبي هريرة، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ‘مَن كان له سَعَة، ولمْ يُضَحِّ، فلا يَقْرَبَنّ مُصَلّانا’  

Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu anhu reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ‘Whoever has enough money and does not offer a kurban, let him not come near our prayer ground.’ (Ahmad and Ibn Majah). 

According to Imam Abu Hanifah, this Hadīth indicates that the kurban is obligatory for every Muslim who is able to afford it. 

2. Sunnah Muakkad 

The Malikiyah, Syafiiyah, Hanabilah, and the majority of scholars are of the opinion that qurbani is sunnah muakkad (highly recommended). Every Muslim is strongly encouraged to perform qurbani, especially if they have sufficient wealth. In fact, if you are able to afford it but do not perform qurbani, then it is makrooh. The Hadith on which this ruling is based is:

ثلاث هن علي فرائض ولكم تطوع: النحر والوتر وركعتا الضحى

3 things they are obligatory upon me and sunnah (tathawu’) for you: Qurban, Witr prayer, and 2 rak’ahs of Dhuha prayer (HR Ahmad). 

The act of Qurban is a significant form of worship in Islam. It teaches lessons about compassion for the poor, sharing, and faith. The stories of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) mark the beginning of the tradition of Qurban. May Allah ﷻ always make it easy for us to perform qurbani. 

Wallahu a’lam 

References

Surat Al-Hajj Ayat 36. (n.d.). Tafsir AlQuran Online. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://tafsirq.com/22-al-hajj/ayat-36 

Surat Al-Kausar Ayat 2. (n.d.). Tafsir AlQuran Online. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://tafsirq.com/108-al-kausar/ayat-2 

Hadi, A. (2022, July 3). Hadits Tentang Qurban: Penjelasan, Hukum, & Keutamaan dalam Islam. Tirto.id. https://tirto.id/hadits-tentang-qurban-penjelasan-hukum-keutamaan-dalam-islam-gtul 

Dalil Perintah Berkurban dalam Al-Quran dan Hadits. (2021, May 24). Www.dompetdhuafa.org. https://www.dompetdhuafa.org/dalil-perintah-berkurban/ 

Hadis: Siapa yang memiliki kelapangan rezeki lalu tidak berkurban, maka janganlah dia mendekati lapangan tempat salat kami. (n.d.). Ensiklopedia Terjemahan Hadis-Hadis Nabi. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://www.hadeethenc.com/id/browse/hadith/64660 

إسلام ويب. (2023). Islamweb.net. https://islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/6216/%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B6%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A9 

ثلاث هن علي فرائض وهن لكم تطوع الوتر والنحر وصلاة الضحى – مسند أحمد. (n.d.). Hadithprophet.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://hadithprophet.com/hadith-6536.html#google_vignette