Qurban, derived from the Arabic 'Azha,' signifies sacrifice in the name of Allah. It embodies the spirit of proximity, sacrifice, and resilience, aiming to achieve closeness to Allah through various forms of sacrifice. In practice, Qurban involves the ritual slaughter of specific animals from the 10th to the 12th of the month of Zilhaj, seeking Allah's satisfaction.
For a sane, adult Muslim possessing Nisab (7.5 pounds of gold or 52.5 pounds of silver, or their equivalent in cash or trade goods) during the three days of Eid (10th to 12th Zilhaj), performing Qurban is obligatory. The act must be solely for Allah's satisfaction, devoid of worldly or social intentions. As stated in Surah An'am, Ayah 162, 'Say: Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.'
On Eid day, Muslims are encouraged to rise early, perform Fajr prayer in congregation, bathe, use Miswak, wear clean or new clothes, apply perfume, and proceed to the Eidgah, reciting Takbir on the way. Both Muslim men and women can perform the sacrifice, with self-slaughter being preferable. The meat of obligatory and Nafl Qurban can be consumed and shared, ideally divided into three parts: for family, relatives, and the needy.
The philosophy of Qurban extends beyond physical sacrifice; it involves purifying one's inner self and surrendering entirely to Allah. Proper waste management post-sacrifice is also emphasized as a religious duty.
