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Qurbani Glossary
Key Islamic terms related to Qurbani, Eid al-Adha, and animal sacrifice.
قرباني
Qurbani (Udhiyah)
Qurbani (also known as Udhiyah in Arabic) is the ritual sacrifice of a livestock animal during the days of Eid al-Adha (10th-12th Dhul Hijjah). It…
أضحية
Udhiyah
Udhiyah is the classical Arabic term for the animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha. It is derived from the Arabic root "d-h-y" meaning "to sacrifice…
عقيقة
Aqeeqah
Aqeeqah is the sacrifice of an animal on the occasion of a child's birth. It is a Sunnah mu'akkadah (strongly recommended practice). Two animals are…
ذو الحجة
Dhul Hijjah
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam. The first ten…
عيد الأضحى
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the two major Islamic festivals. It falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts for…
أيام التشريق
Days of Tashreeq
The Days of Tashreeq are the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah. During these days, the Takbeer at-Tashreeq is recited after every obligatory prayer.…
تكبير التشريق
Takbeer at-Tashreeq
The Takbeer at-Tashreeq is the recitation of "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil-hamd" after every obligatory prayer from…
يوم عرفة
Day of Arafah
The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah - the day before Eid al-Adha. It is considered the best day of the entire…
سُبْع
Cow Share (1/7)
A cow share refers to one-seventh of a cow sacrificed as Qurbani. Based on the hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him),…
ذبيحة
Sadaqah Sacrifice
A Sadaqah Sacrifice (Dhabihah) is a voluntary animal sacrifice offered at any time of the year. Unlike Qurbani, which is specific to the days of…
نصاب
Nisab
Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before being obligated to pay Zakat or, according to the Hanafi school, perform Qurbani.…
نحر
Nahr (Day of Sacrifice)
Nahr refers specifically to the slaughter of a camel by cutting the throat while the animal is standing. More broadly, Yawm an-Nahr (the Day of…
عقيقة
Aqeeqah (extended)
Aqeeqah is the Sunnah sacrifice on the seventh day after a child is born: two sheep for a boy, one for a girl.
دم
Damm (Hajj sacrifice)
Damm refers to the compensatory blood sacrifice required of Hajj pilgrims for missed rites or violations of ihram.
ذو الحجة
Dhul Hijjah (extended)
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and contains the most blessed ten days of the year.
هدي
Hady (Hajj offering)
Hady is the obligatory sacrifice offered by Hajj pilgrims performing tamattu or qiran, distinct from voluntary Qurbani.
منى
Mina
Mina is the valley near Makkah where pilgrims spend the days of Tashreeq and where the Hady and Damm sacrifices are performed.
مسنة
Musinnah
Musinnah is the Shariah-mature animal age requirement for Qurbani: one year for sheep and goats, two for cows, five for camels.
نحر و ذبح
Nahr vs Dhabh
Nahr is the standing throat-cut used for camels; Dhabh is the recumbent throat-cut used for sheep, goats and cows.
نية
Niyyah (intention)
Niyyah is the heart-felt intention required before any act of worship, including Qurbani, for it to be valid.
ذبيحة
Sadaqah Sacrifice (extended)
A Sadaqah Sacrifice is a voluntary animal slaughter offered any day of the year for charity or in fulfilment of a vow.
تكبير التشريق
Takbir e Tashreeq
The takbir recited after every fard prayer from Fajr on 9 Dhul Hijjah until Asr on 13 Dhul Hijjah.
تمتع
Tamattu (Hajj)
Tamattu is one of the three forms of Hajj where the pilgrim performs Umrah first, then Hajj, requiring a Hady sacrifice.
أضحية
Udhiyah (extended)
Udhiyah is the classical Arabic name for the animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha; synonymous with Qurbani.
