Most-asked question

What age and condition must the qurbaani animal be?

20 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“It is permissible and preferable to slaughter a castrated animal. A castrated animal is usually bigger in size and the meat is superior. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, Vol: 5, Pg: 297 & al-Muheetul Burhani, Vol: 6, Pg: 93, D.K.I)”

Jamiat KZN — Qurbani of castrated animal · 19 Oct 2011

“If it only walks on three legs and does not take support from the lame leg, then it will not suffice for Qurbaani. However, if it takes support from the lame leg, it will suffice.”

Mufti Online — Qurbaani of a lame animal · 6 Mar 2012

“A sheep has to be one-year-old for its Qurbaani to be valid. However, if it is six months old but appears to be one-year-old when left among the one-year sheep, its Qurbaani will also be valid. If the sheep doesn’t meet these requirements (as in your enquired case), its Qurbaani will not be valid.”

Azaadville — Qurbaani Of A Sheep Less Than 6 Months Of Age · 20 May 2026

“In principle, it is makrooh to slaughter a pregnant animal which is close to giving birth. However, if the pregnant animal is not close to giving birth, then slaughtering such an animal is permissible.”

Ask Imaam — What shall one do if the qurbani animal happens to be pregnant? · 16 Oct 2014

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. is it necessary for Udhiyyah sheep to have tails?Ask Imaam · 11 Jun 2024
  2. Qurbani Animal Which Is Small In Size But Qualifies In AgeAzaadville · 12 Nov 2021
  3. Qurbaani of an animal whose tail or ear is cut offMufti Online · 6 Mar 2012
  4. Qurbani of castrated animalJamiat KZN · 19 Oct 2011
  5. Qurbani Animals With Docked TailsIbn Masood · 22 May 2025
  6. Is it necessary for Udhiyyah sheep to have tails?Ask Imaam · 14 Jul 2021
  7. Qurbaani Of A Sheep Less Than 6 Months Of AgeAzaadville · 20 May 2026
  8. Slaughtering a cow for qurbaani whose tail is cutMufti Online · 16 Jun 2025
  9. Validity of Qurbani if the horn of the animal is brokenIbn Masood · 22 May 2022
  10. Are the qurbani age requirements in animals also necessary for consumption & sadaqah?Ask Imaam · 29 Jul 2020
  11. Qurbani Of An Animal Blind In One EyeAzaadville · 30 Apr 2022
  12. Qurbaani of an animal whose horn has broken offMufti Online · 6 Mar 2012
  13. What shall one do if the qurbani animal happens to be pregnant?Ask Imaam · 16 Oct 2014
  14. Qurbaani of an animal born without earsMufti Online · 6 Mar 2012
  15. Qurbaani of a lame animalMufti Online · 6 Mar 2012

Search more fatawa on this Qurbani & Aqiqah topic Compare Darul Iftas