Muslims are being urged to check the validity of their Qurbani this Eid as huge demand means that many traders are supplying normal halal meat as Qurbani meat.
The Halal Food Information Centre (HFIC) has issued guidance to remind consumers of the key Qurbani criteria, the biggest issues that invalidate Qurbani, and what you can do to safeguard your act of worship.
They are especially urging customers to check that a Qurbani label is attached to the carcass if the meat is intended to be consumed on Eid day itself.
According to the HFIC the main criteria are:
Age: The animal must be healthy and of the right age and size (i.e. it must be post-pubescent and six months of age or older). Underage animals are not allowed.
Welfare: The animal must be handled compassionately throughout its life and zabiha.
Timing: Qurbani zabiha must not take place BEFORE performing Eid salah. Animals slaughtered before Eid salah are NORMAL HALAL MEAT and NOT Qurbani. This is the biggest issue that invalidates UK Qurbani.
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Charity: Any sales proceeds from the Qurbani (such as skin and offal) must be donated to charity. In addition, it is a sunnah to gift a portion of Qurbani meat to charity (such as UK Halal food banks) but the cold chain must always be maintained for food safety purposes.
In Islam, Qurbani is an act of worship following in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (as). Qurbani, meaning sacrifice, is symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his own son to God. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that there are blessings for every fibre of wool or every strand of hair of the sacrificed animal.
Qurbani is the most beloved act of ibadah for Allah SWT during the days of Tashreek (the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah).
It is traditional for a third of the meat from the animal to be donated to those in need such as the vulnerable or poor. A further third is kept by the family with the final third shared amongst friends, family and neighbours.
But due to the growth of the UK Muslim community, there is huge demand in urban areas to receive Qurbani meat as soon as possible after Eid salah.
Many consumers want to receive their Qurbani meat on the first day of Eid to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (pbuh). Some even request the meat before midday so they can partake in their family feast.
However, since Qurbani cannot be performed before Eid salah at the slaughterhouse location, which is predominately in the rural countryside, this huge demand leads to many traders supplying normal halal meat as Qurbani meat. This supply of meat is NOT a valid Qurbani and selling it as Qurbani is fraud.
According to the 2023 calendar, the sunrise time in England on the 1st possible day of Eid (10th Dhul Hijjah 1443) is 4.30am in the north (up to Newcastle), and 5.12am in the south (upto Cornwall). To allow sufficient time for Eid salah, and the slaughterers’ arrival at the zabiha station, will take at least 45 minutes from the sunrise. Therefore, no Qurbani zabiha can be performed:
- Before 5.15 am in slaughterhouses located in the north.
- Before 5.30am in slaughterhouses located in the Midlands.
- Before 6.00am in slaughterhouses located in the south.
Given the time it takes to slaughter the animal, route it to the correct delivery truck and then deliver to the butcher shops, and then for the butcher to cut the carcass to consumer’s requirement, no collection or delivery of Qurbani meat is logistically possible until much later in the day.
However, many butchers still sell normal halal meat slaughtered and even delivered to them before Eid salah as Qurbani meat, because they say the customers want it.
But slaughterhouses are required to have Food Standards Agency (FSA) inspectors onsite at all times during production and must adhere to labelling regulations. Those that supply Qurbani quickly on the first day of Qurbani (under procedures agreed with the FSA) are required to attach a Qurbani label to the carcass with the following details:
Date and time of the Qurbani
A unique four digit code of the slaughterhouse performing Zabiha (for example, GB 1234).
When you place your order, ask your butcher to keep your Qurbani label from the carcass otherwise they will throw it away.
Example of the Qurbani Label
The Qurbani label will have date and time on it, along with the four-digit code GB 1234 of the slaughterhouse that performed it.
Check your Qurbani was performed at least 45 minutes after sunrise at the slaughterhouse’s location.
Contact hello@hfic.org.uk if you have any queries or concerns.
