Qurbani and Sacrifice During Hajj

What the hady is

The hady is the animal sacrifice offered in connection with Hajj. For pilgrims performing Tamattu or Qiran, it is generally required as part of the rites, often described as a gesture of gratitude for the ease of combining Umrah and Hajj, or for the combined intention. It is distinct from, though related to, the general qurbani that Muslims around the world offer at Eid al Adha.

The sacrifice is typically a sheep or goat per pilgrim, or a share in a larger animal such as a camel or cow that may be shared among several people, according to well known rulings. The meat is distributed to be eaten and given to those in need, reflecting the charitable spirit of the occasion.

It is worth separating three related ideas that pilgrims often confuse. The hady is the sacrifice tied to performing Tamattu or Qiran. A separate category is the compensation sacrifice, sometimes required if a pilgrim leaves out a required act or breaks an ihram restriction. And then there is the general Eid al Adha qurbani offered by Muslims everywhere. They can look identical as an act, but the reason behind each is different, which affects when and why it applies to you.

Who offers a sacrifice

The requirement to offer a hady is most associated with those performing Tamattu and Qiran, the two forms of Hajj that involve Umrah combined with Hajj or a combined intention. A pilgrim performing Ifrad, which is Hajj alone without a combined Umrah, is generally not required to offer this particular sacrifice, though they may still take part in the wider qurbani voluntarily.

Because the type of Hajj you perform determines whether the hady applies to you, it is worth confirming your type early. If you are unsure which form you are performing, or how it affects your obligations, ask your group's guide and a qualified scholar so you can plan and budget for the sacrifice appropriately.

Timing and place

The sacrifice is offered during the days of Eid al Adha, beginning on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah after the stoning of the major pillar, and continuing through the days of Tashriq that follow. It takes place within the sacred precinct area designated for it, and today this is organised through official facilities rather than performed by pilgrims individually in the streets.

Because the sacrifice, the shaving or trimming of hair, and the stoning are interconnected on the day of Eid, their order and timing matter. Many rulings allow some flexibility in sequence, but this is an area to follow your guide closely so that each rite is done at the right time and your release from ihram proceeds correctly.

How to arrange it today

In the past pilgrims would purchase and slaughter an animal themselves. Today the process is organised and regulated for hygiene and efficiency. Pilgrims commonly arrange the hady by paying for a sacrifice voucher through official channels, such as the Nusuk platform or approved Saudi banks and authorised bodies that handle the sacrifice on the pilgrim's behalf and distribute the meat.

Your Hajj package may already include the sacrifice, so check what your booking covers before paying twice. If it is not included, arrange it through an official and reputable channel rather than an informal one, keep your receipt, and make sure it is done at the correct time. As with all payments, use official systems and avoid handing cash to strangers who promise to arrange it for you.

Practically, this means you usually do not witness the slaughter yourself, and you do not need to. Once you have paid through an authorised channel, the sacrifice is carried out on your behalf at the right time, and the meat is processed and distributed, much of it to those in need in the region and beyond. Confirm the timing so that you can proceed with shaving or trimming your hair and the rest of the day's rites in the correct order, and note the confirmation for your records.

If you are unable to offer it

For a pilgrim on Tamattu or Qiran who is genuinely unable to offer the sacrifice, classical rulings describe an alternative of fasting, commonly three days during the Hajj and seven after returning home, based on the well known verse on this subject. This is a mercy for those who cannot manage the sacrifice, not a preferred substitute where it is affordable.

Whether this alternative applies to you, and exactly how the fasting days are counted, depends on your circumstances and the ruling you follow. Do not assume. Speak with a qualified scholar early so that, if needed, you can plan the fasting days correctly around the demanding schedule of Hajj.

The meaning behind it

The sacrifice recalls the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to submit fully to God, and God's mercy in providing a ransom. It is not about the meat or blood in themselves, but about devotion, gratitude and sharing provision with the poor. Keeping that meaning in mind turns a logistical step into an act of worship.

Plan the practical side early, confirm what your package includes, and use official channels such as Nusuk to arrange the hady. For rulings on whether it applies to you and how to handle any alternative, rely on a qualified scholar and your guide. If you would like independent help understanding your options, you can email us at info@fourcents.ca, keeping in mind that we do not sell Hajj or issue rulings.

Knowing this rite in advance removes one more source of confusion on a very full day. The tenth of Dhul Hijjah brings the stoning, the sacrifice, the shaving or trimming, and the circumambulation close together, and pilgrims who understand how the hady fits into that sequence move through it far more calmly. Settle the arrangement and its timing with your group before the day arrives, and the sacrifice becomes a moment of gratitude rather than a scramble. Prepared in advance and offered through the proper channel, it takes its rightful place as a meaningful part of your completed pilgrimage.