Qurbani Calculator: Understanding the Islamic Rules of Sacrifice
The Qurbani (Udhiyyah) Calculator helps Muslims determine the minimum cost per share of their annual Eid al-Adha animal sacrifice, based on the current market price of the chosen animal and the number of shares. In Islamic law, one sheep or goat constitutes a single Qurbani share — sufficient for one person or household. One cow or buffalo provides seven shares; one camel provides seven shares. The calculator divides the total animal cost by the number of shares to give each participant's cost contribution.
Qurbani is an obligatory act (wajib in Hanafi madhab; sunnah mu'akkadah in other madhabs) for every Muslim who possesses the nisab threshold (minimum wealth equivalent to approximately 612.35 grams of silver or 87.48 grams of gold) on the days of Eid al-Adha (10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah). The obligation applies per adult Muslim independently — a husband's Qurbani does not fulfil his wife's obligation, and vice versa.
How to Use the Qurbani Calculator
- Select your animal type: Goat/Sheep (1 share), Cow/Buffalo (7 shares), or Camel (7 shares).
- Enter the current market price for the animal in PKR (Pakistani Rupees). Prices vary significantly by city, animal quality, and proximity to Eid — check your local market or a registered Qurbani service for current rates.
- Enter the number of shares you want to calculate for (e.g., 3 shares in a cow = cost for 3 family members participating).
- The calculator instantly shows your per-share cost — the amount each participant contributes to the animal purchase.
Worked Example: Calculating Qurbani Cost for a Family
Scenario: A family of 5 adults in Lahore in 2025. They want to share one cow. Current market price for a suitable cow: PKR 150,000.
- Cow = 7 shares total. Family takes 5 shares, allowing 2 shares for charity/others.
- Cost per share: PKR 150,000 ÷ 7 = PKR 21,429 per share (approximately).
- Each of the 5 family members contributes PKR 21,429 for their individual Qurbani.
- Remaining 2 shares can be given to needy families, completing the community dimension of Qurbani.
Key Rulings Every Muslim Should Know
- Animal age requirements: A goat or sheep must be at least 1 year old (or a lamb so large it resembles a 1-year-old). A cow or buffalo must be at least 2 years old. A camel must be at least 5 years old. Younger animals do not fulfil the Qurbani obligation.
- Animal health conditions: The animal must be free from serious defects that affect its value or health: it must not be one-eyed, lame to a degree it cannot walk to the slaughter, extremely thin, or have most of its ear or tail cut off. Minor marks or imperfections do not disqualify an animal.
- Timing: Qurbani is valid from after the Eid prayer on 10th Dhul Hijjah until sunset on 12th Dhul Hijjah — a total of three days. The most virtuous time is immediately after the Eid prayer on the 10th.
- Distribution: Scholars recommend dividing the meat into three equal portions: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor. At minimum, some portion must be given in charity (sadaqah). Selling the meat or the hide is not permissible (the hide may be kept for personal use or given to charity, but not sold for the family's benefit).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Qurbani obligatory (wajib) or sunnah?
This is one of the most frequently debated questions in Islamic jurisprudence. The Hanafi madhab, followed by the majority of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi Muslims, holds Qurbani to be wajib (obligatory) for every Muslim who possesses nisab on the days of Eid al-Adha. The Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools consider it a sunnah mu'akkadah (strongly emphasised prophetic practice) — highly recommended and sinful to neglect without valid reason for those who can afford it, but not obligatory in the strict legal sense. The Hanafi position is the predominant one in Pakistan, so for most Pakistani Muslims, Qurbani is treated as an obligation.
Can I perform Qurbani on behalf of a deceased relative?
Yes. It is permissible and highly recommended to perform Qurbani on behalf of a deceased Muslim — with the intention that the reward (thawab) be conveyed to the deceased. This is called Qurbani 'an al-mayyit. The cost is the same as a regular share; the living person bears the expense as a charitable act (sadaqah) on behalf of the deceased. Some scholars permit a single animal to be slaughtered with the intention covering both the living person's wajib Qurbani and a gifted Qurbani for a deceased relative — check with your local scholar for the Hanafi ruling on this specific combination.
What is the nisab threshold for Qurbani in PKR?
Nisab is the minimum wealth threshold above which Qurbani becomes obligatory. It equals the value of 612.35 grams of silver or 87.48 grams of gold. As these commodity prices fluctuate, the PKR equivalent changes regularly. In 2024-2025, the silver nisab was approximately PKR 80,000–100,000 and the gold nisab was approximately PKR 1,500,000–1,800,000. Scholars typically recommend using the silver nisab (lower threshold) as it includes more people in the obligation, fulfilling the spirit of broad participation in Qurbani. Check current silver and gold prices close to Eid to calculate the exact nisab in PKR for that year.
Can I give money to a charity to perform Qurbani abroad on my behalf?
Yes. Many Islamic charities (Edhi Foundation, Saylani Welfare, Al-Khidmat, Akhuwat) and international NGOs (Islamic Relief, Human Appeal) accept Qurbani payments and perform the sacrifice on your behalf in countries where the cost is lower (allowing more benefit to reach the poor). This is widely considered valid by contemporary scholars. The key conditions: the sacrifice must be a legitimate Qurbani-qualifying animal of proper age and health; it must be performed within the correct days (10th–12th Dhul Hijjah); and the meat must be distributed to eligible recipients. Using a reputable, verified charity with transparent Qurbani programmes is essential.
What should I do with Qurbani meat if I cannot distribute it?
If you have excess meat you cannot distribute yourself, give it to local mosques, Islamic charity organisations, or directly to low-income families in your neighbourhood. Meat can also be frozen and distributed over several weeks — the virtue of Qurbani is not diminished by distributing the meat over time. The prohibition on selling the meat applies to the person who performed the Qurbani — recipients who receive the meat as sadaqah may do as they wish with it, including selling it. If you cannot find recipients, contact local Islamic charity organisations who will arrange collection and distribution on your behalf.
What are typical Qurbani animal prices in Pakistani cities in 2025?
Prices vary significantly by city, animal quality, and time of purchase relative to Eid. As a general guide for 2025: goats ranged from PKR 35,000–80,000 depending on size and breed; cows ranged from PKR 80,000–300,000+ depending on weight and origin; buffaloes ranged from PKR 150,000–400,000. Animals purchased 2–4 weeks before Eid tend to be cheaper than last-minute purchases. Organised Qurbani markets (sabzi mandi animal markets in major cities) typically have more competitive prices than doorstep sellers. Government-regulated markets in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar provide price guidance annually through the city administrations around Eid al-Adha.