Qurbani of a cow a few days short of two years

Nasihah (Advice): The great reward in Qurbani

Sayyidah A’aisha Radiyallahu anha reported that Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “There is nothing dearer to Allah during the days of Qurbani than the sacrificing of animals. The sacrificed animal shall come on the Day of Qiyamah with its horns, hair, and hooves (to be weighed on a person’s good deeds). The sacrifice is accepted by Allah before the blood reaches the ground. Therefore sacrifice with an open and happy heart.” [Sunan Tirmidhi]

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Question and Answer:

1. I have a cow born in July 2022. On Qurbani day this year, the cow will be short of two years by a few days. However, the cow is big and can easily pass as a two-year-old. Is it permissible for this cow to be sacrificed as Qurbani?

1. It is an essential requirement that cows/cattle slaughtered for Qurbani must be a minimum of two Islamic lunar years. Even if the cow is a few days under two Islamic lunar years, the Qurbani will not be valid. Accordingly, the said cow may not be sacrificed for Qurbani. [Hindiyyah 5: 297]

Question and Answer:

2. In determining the suitable age of animals for Qurbani are solar or lunar years considered? Would the cow born in July 2022 not be considered 2 lunar years of age?

2. The minimum age for cows/cattle to be suitable for Qurbani is two lunar years. A solar year is 365 days and a lunar year is 354 – 355 days.

In the Q&A, the cow referred to was born on 15 July 2022. Accordingly, the said animal will be +/- 6 days short of two lunar years on the Day of Eidhul Adha and hence is not suitable for sacrifice.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Moosa Salie

Mufti Taahir Hansa

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

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