Qurbani, or the ritual sacrifice of an animal, is a cornerstone of Islamic worship performed during the days of Eid al-Adha. It serves as a profound act of devotion intended solely for the pleasure of Allah, commemorating the historic sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and his son Prophet Isma’il (A.S.). Beyond the ritual itself, it symbolizes a believer`s willingness to surrender their most beloved possessions for the sake of the Creator.
However, the obligation of Qurbani is not universal for all Muslims.
According to Sharia, Qurbani is only Wajib (obligatory) upon those who possess the financial capability, specifically those who hold wealth equivalent to or above the threshold of "Nisab" beyond their basic needs. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this by warning those who have the means but do not perform the sacrifice (Ibn Majah, 3123). This brings forth a critical question: is someone currently in debt still required to perform this sacrifice?
Islamic jurists have provided clear guidelines regarding financial liabilities during the days of Eid. If a person is in debt and the amount due for repayment this year, when subtracted from their total assets, leaves them with less than the Nisab threshold, Qurbani is not obligatory. In such cases, the person is not considered financially capable by the standards of Islamic jurisprudence. Sharia prioritizes the settlement of immediate financial obligations over voluntary or even certain Wajib acts that depend on surplus wealth.
Debt alone does not automatically exempt a person from the sacrifice.
If a person has significant debts but also possesses enough assets—such as cash, gold, silver, or business inventory—that even after accounting for their immediate liabilities, they still hold Nisab, the Qurbani remains obligatory. According to authoritative texts such as "Badai`us Sanai`" and "Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya," the deciding factor is the net wealth after deducting current liabilities. Therefore, a person with long-term loans like a mortgage or a car payment might still be required to sacrifice if their liquid or current assets meet the required criteria.
Since Qurbani is a financial ibadah, it is essential for every Muslim to conduct a sincere review of their financial standing before Eid. It is not encouraged to borrow money to perform Qurbani if one is not already obligated to do so, nor is it permissible to skip it when one has the means despite having debts. Accuracy in these assessments ensures that the act of worship is performed according to the spirit of Islamic law. May Allah accept our sacrifices and grant us the wisdom to fulfill our obligations.
