Conditions of Aqiqah and Qurban: A Technical Guide (Shuroot)

What Are “Conditions” (Shuroot) in Islamic Rulings?

In Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), “conditions” (shuroot, singular sharṭ) are the requirements that must be met for an act of worship to be valid. For Aqiqah and Qurban (udhiyah), scholars have defined conditions regarding the person performing the act, the animal, the time, and the intention. Meeting these ensures your sacrifice is accepted according to the Shariah.

Conditions of Aqiqah (Shuroot Al-Aqiqah)

Aqiqah is the Sunnah of sacrificing an animal on behalf of a newborn. The following conditions are widely agreed upon or commonly applied by the schools of law (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʿi, Hanbali), with Shafiʿi and the local practice in Malaysia often taken as reference.

Who Is Aqiqah For?

Aqiqah is performed for a newborn child. It is a Sunnah upon the guardian (wali)—usually the father—who is responsible for providing for the child. The cost is borne by the guardian. If the guardian did not perform it, some scholars allow the person themselves to do it later in life (as a voluntary act to fulfil the missed Sunnah).

Number of Animals

The predominant view (e.g. Shafiʿi, Hanbali) is: two sheep or two goats for a boy, and one sheep or one goat for a girl. One sheep may be offered for a boy if two are not affordable—scholars differ on whether one suffices for a boy, but one is certainly valid for a girl. Each animal must meet the same type and age conditions as for Qurban (see below).

Type and Age of Animal

The same animals valid for Qurban are valid for Aqiqah: sheep (including lamb), goat, and in some opinions cow and camel. For sheep: the animal should have completed six months (or, in stricter views, one year). For goat: one full year (two for some). The animal must be free from serious defects: not blind, severely lame, obviously sick, or with a significant part of the ear or horn missing. These defect rules align with the well-known hadith on udhiyah.

Intention (Niyyah) and Timing

The slaughter must be done with the intention of Aqiqah for that specific child. The preferred time is the seventh day after birth (with naming and shaving the head). If that is not possible, it may be done on the 14th, 21st, or later—even in adulthood according to some scholars. The slaughter must be halal: performed by a Muslim, with the name of Allah pronounced, and in the prescribed manner.

Conditions of Qurban (Shuroot Al-Udhiyah)

Qurban (udhiyah) is the sacrifice offered during the days of Eid al-Adha. The conditions below are derived from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and consensus of the scholars, with minor differences between madhahib.

Who Must or May Perform Qurban?

There is a difference of opinion: some scholars hold Qurban to be wajib (obligatory) for every adult Muslim who has the means (beyond basic needs); others hold it as a strong Sunnah (Sunnah mu’akkadah). In Malaysia, the common position follows the view that it is Sunnah mu’akkadah. The sacrifice can be per person or per household—one sheep or goat suffices for one person or for a household in the view that allows sharing. The intention must be for udhiyah (Eid sacrifice).

Valid Animals and Shares

Valid animals are: sheep (including lamb), goat, cow, and camel. One sheep or one goat counts as one share (one person’s Qurban). One cow or one camel can be shared by up to seven people, provided each has the intention of Qurban. Mixing different acts (e.g. some for Qurban, some for Aqiqah) in one cow is a matter of detailed fiqh and should be clarified with a scholar.

Age and Defects

Minimum age: for sheep, six months completed (and looking like a one-year-old in size, in strict view); for goat, one full year; for cow, two years; for camel, five years. The animal must be free from defects that invalidate the sacrifice: blindness, obvious illness, severe lameness, emaciation, or significant loss of ear, horn, or tail. Minor defects may be disliked (makruh) but do not necessarily invalidate. Scholars detail further; when in doubt, choose a healthy, well-formed animal.

Time Period for Slaughter

Slaughter must take place after the Eid prayer on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah until sunset of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah (the days of Tashreeq). Slaughter before the Eid prayer does not count as Qurban; it is considered ordinary meat. The exact start time is when the Imam finishes the Eid prayer in your locality (or when the time for that prayer has passed if you do not pray Eid).

Intention (Niyyah) for Qurban

The person offering the sacrifice must have the intention of udhiyah (Qurban for Eid). If someone delegates the slaughter (e.g. to an agent or a farm), the intention of the owner is what counts; the slaughterer performs the act on their behalf. The animal must have been acquired (or designated) for the purpose of Qurban before slaughter.

Summary and Practical Tips

• Aqiqah: for the newborn, usually two animals for a boy and one for a girl (sheep or goat); preferred on the 7th day; intention and halal slaughter required.
• Qurban: valid animals are sheep, goat, cow, camel; one sheep/goat per person or share in cow/camel (up to 7); slaughter only after Eid prayer until 13th Dhul Hijjah; animal must meet age and be free from serious defects.
• At Kordoba Farms we provide goat and sheep that meet age and health standards, with Shariah-compliant halal slaughter and optional video proof. We deliver to Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, Ampang, Taman Melawati, Serdang, Sri Kembangan, Cyberjaya, and Putrajaya.