Your Shopping Cart
Eid al-Adha 2027 · 16–18 May
Qurbani & Udhiyah at Ikhlas
Everything you need to know about Qurbani, what it is, who it is for, when it is done, how the animal must be, how the meat is shared, and how to book yours with us. HMC-certified, slaughtered by hand in Bradford, prepared to your instructions, on the day you choose.
Book your Qurbani →
Bookings for Eid al-Adha 2027 are open. Book a sheep with a £50 deposit, tell us who it is on behalf of and which day you will collect. The balance is paid at the counter by the exact weight, £9.50 a kilo. Go to booking ↓
What is Qurbani?
Qurbani (Arabic udhiyah) is the sacrifice of an animal during the days of Eid al-Adha, in remembrance of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail (peace be upon him) in obedience to Allah, and was given a ram to sacrifice in his place. Muslims around the world mark that obedience every year with a sacrifice of their own.
It is an act of worship first and a meal second. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed it every year in Madinah and said: "There is no deed a person does on the day of sacrifice that is more beloved to Allah than the shedding of blood." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah). The meat is then eaten, given to family and friends, and given to the poor.
The intention and the words
Qurbani is done in the name of Allah alone. When the animal is slaughtered, the butcher says the name of Allah, and the person on whose behalf it is done is named. The words the Prophet ﷺ used:
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا مِنْكَ وَلَكَ
Bismillahi wallahu akbar. Allahumma hadha minka wa laka., "In the name of Allah, Allah is the greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You." Our slaughtermen say this over every animal, with the name(s) you give us on the booking.
Who should give Qurbani?
Every adult Muslim of sound mind who owns wealth above the nisab (the threshold at which zakat is due, roughly the value of 87 grams of gold or 612 grams of silver) during the days of Eid al-Adha. In the Hanafi school, which most families in Bradford follow, it is wajib (obligatory) for such a person; in the other schools it is a strongly emphasised sunnah. Either way, it is one of the great acts of the year and no one who can afford it should miss it.
- One Qurbani per person. A husband and wife who each own above the nisab each give their own. Children are not obliged, but a parent may give on a child's behalf.
- On behalf of others. You can give Qurbani on behalf of a parent who has passed away, a relative abroad, or the Prophet ﷺ, tell us the name and we recite it.
- Not travelling. A traveller is excused in the Hanafi view; if you are away for Eid, a family member can arrange it here on your behalf.
- Unsure? Ask your imam. We are butchers, not muftis; we slaughter to the standard, you decide the obligation.
When is Qurbani done?
From after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah until sunset on the 12th, three days. It cannot be done before the Eid prayer; an animal slaughtered before the prayer is ordinary meat, not Qurbani. The first day is the best.
| Eid al-Adha 2027 (expected) | Islamic date | At Ikhlas |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 16 May | 10 Dhul Hijjah, Eid day | Slaughter begins after Eid prayer; collections from 2pm, in booking order |
| Monday 17 May | 11 Dhul Hijjah | Slaughter and collections all day |
| Tuesday 18 May | 12 Dhul Hijjah | Last day, slaughter finishes before sunset |
Dates depend on the moon sighting and may move by a day. Your booking moves with them; we text every customer if they do. Bookings close when the animals we have are all booked; we will say so here and on the booking page.
The animal
Not any animal will do. The Sunnah sets a minimum age and a standard of health, and we buy to that standard.
| Animal | Minimum age | Counts as | At Ikhlas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep / lamb | One year (a well-grown sheep of six months is accepted in the Hanafi school) | One Qurbani | Bookable online, £9.50 per kg, usually 18–24 kg |
| Goat | One year | One Qurbani | Ring the shop |
| Cow / buffalo | Two years | Seven Qurbani, up to seven people share, each with their own intention | Ring the shop |
The animal must be healthy and free of the defects the Prophet ﷺ named: not blind or one-eyed, not obviously lame, not sick, not so thin it has no marrow in its bones. Ears and tail intact, horns intact or broken only partly. Every animal is checked on arrival; one that does not meet the standard is not used for Qurbani.
How shares work
Sheep or lamb
One whole animal, one Qurbani, one name. You take the whole animal home (or share it as you wish).
Goat
Same as a sheep: one animal, one Qurbani, one name.
Cow or buffalo
Seven equal shares. A family of seven can do one cow; each share carries its own name and its own intention. Each share is roughly a seventh of the meat.
On the booking you write one name per Qurbani. For a sheep that is one name; for a cow share it is one name per share you book.
How we do it at Ikhlas
- Book online with a £50 depositGo to Qurbani Booking, Sheep, add the name(s) it is on behalf of, pick your collection day and pay the deposit. Or book in the shop, or ring us on 07479 462297 and we will do it with you.
- Your animal is set asideEach booking is matched to an animal. We do not overbook; when the animals are gone, bookings close.
- Slaughtered by hand, to the standardAfter the Eid prayer, in booking order, under HMC monitoring. The name of Allah is said over every animal, then the name(s) you gave us.
- Prepared the way you want itQurbani curry cut on the bone is the standard. Tell us on the booking if you want it left whole, boneless, or split into thirds ready to give away.
- Weighed, bagged, and you get a textWe text you when it is ready. At the counter you pay the balance: (weight × £9.50) minus your £50 deposit.
Change of plan? Ring before the closing date and the deposit is refunded in full. After the closing date the animal has been bought for you and the deposit is not refundable, but the Qurbani can still be done and the meat collected or donated.
Sharing the meat
The Sunnah is to eat from it, to give from it, and to feed the poor from it. Many families follow the traditional thirds:
- A third for your household: the family meal on Eid.
- A third for relatives, friends and neighbours: Muslim or not.
- A third for those in need: given directly, or through a mosque or charity.
This is a recommendation, not a rule: you may keep more or give more. If you want us to split the meat into three bags so the giving is easy, say so on the booking. If you would rather donate a portion, tell us and we will pass it to a local mosque's food distribution on your behalf.
Questions people ask us
Can I give Qurbani on behalf of someone who has died?
Yes. It is a recognised act of charity on their behalf. Write their name on the booking and it is recited at the slaughter.
Do I need to be there when it is done?
No. Being present is recommended if you can, but it is not required. Most customers collect the meat once we text them. If you want to attend, say so on the booking and we will give you a time.
Can my family share one cow?
Yes, up to seven people, each with their own share and their own intention. Ring the shop for cow shares; they are not bookable online yet.
Is it HMC certified?
Yes. Ikhlas is an HMC-certified butcher and the Qurbani slaughter is done under HMC monitoring, by hand, with the name of Allah said over every animal. Our certificate is on the wall and on our HMC page.
How much will it cost in the end?
Sheep are £9.50 per kilo of carcass weight. A sheep is usually 18–24 kg, so £171–£228 in total. You pay £50 now and the rest at collection. You will never be charged for more than the animal weighs.
Can I have it cooked, or cut a particular way?
We prepare it raw: Qurbani curry cut on the bone as standard, or whole, boneless, or in three bags for sharing. Write anything else in the "Anything else" box on the booking and we will do it if we can.
What if I can't collect on the day I chose?
Ring the shop. Meat is kept chilled and can be collected the next day. If you need it delivered, our free local delivery covers 7 miles, ask when we text you.
Do you do Aqeeqah?
Yes, all year round, two sheep for a boy, one for a girl, by the Sunnah. Ring the shop to arrange it; online Aqeeqah booking is coming.
Can I book more than one?
Yes. Add the booking to your basket once per animal, or change the quantity, and write one name per animal.
Book your Qurbani
Sheep can be booked online now. Goat and cow shares: ring the shop and we will book it for you the same way.
Book online
Qurbani Booking, Sheep
£50 deposit · then £9.50 per kg at collection
One whole sheep, one Qurbani, one name. Usually 18–24 kg, about £171–£228 in total. Names, collection day and phone taken on the booking.
Book a sheepGoat
Ring to book
Qurbani Goat
Price per kg · confirmed when you ring
One goat, one Qurbani, one name. Fewer goats than sheep come in, so book early.
Ring the shop · 07479 462297Cow · 1 of 7 shares
Ring to book
Cow Share (1 of 7)
Per share · confirmed when you ring
Seven shares in one cow, each with its own name and intention. Book one share or the whole animal for the family.
Ring the shop · 07479 462297Whole lamb and whole sheep for the freezer, outside Qurbani, are on the Whole Animal page all year.
Ready to book?
£50 deposit now, balance by weight at the counter. Refunded in full if you ring before the closing date.