Purpose of qurbani/udhiya
Qurbani, also known as udhiya, is the ritual sacrifice performed by many Muslims during Eid al-Adha to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The act combines devotion, charity, and celebration. Islamic jurisprudence permits one small animal such as a goat or sheep for a single person or household. Larger animals like cows or camels can be divided into seven shares, allowing multiple households to participate jointly. After slaughter, meat is typically divided into three portions: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need. Coordinating households, shares, and weight distribution can be complex, especially when prices, local regulations, and charitable goals vary. This calculator helps plan the logistics while keeping fidelity to common fiqh guidance.
How the calculator works
The tool multiplies the number of households by the number of shares each intends to cover. For small livestock, each animal covers one share; for large livestock, each animal covers seven shares. The script rounds up to ensure enough animals are purchased. It then estimates total meat weight by multiplying the number of animals by average dressed weight. Finally, it divides the meat into family, relatives, and charity based on your chosen charity percentage (the remainder is split equally between family and relatives). This mirrors the customary thirds while letting you increase the charitable share.
Most madhhabs recommend that the charity portion reach the poor in a timely manner and that participants avoid selling any part of the sacrificial animal. This planner reinforces that ethos by focusing on meat weight rather than market price. Because the household share is optional beyond the charitable minimum, you can experiment with increasing the charity percentage to reflect personal goals or local need. Adjusting the inputs lets organizers show participants how a single large animal may serve multiple households more economically than several small animals, while still meeting charity commitments.
The calculator uses ceiling division so partial shares still result in a whole animal being purchased. Meat distribution uses percentages: charity gets the chosen percentage, while family and relatives split the remainder evenly. Results show kilograms per group and per household.
Worked example
Assume three households each want one share. If they select cows (seven shares per animal) with an average dressed weight of 160 kg, the total shares equal three. One cow suffices because seven shares cover more than three. The calculator reports one animal needed, 160 kg total meat, roughly 53 kg per household, and around 53 kg each for family use and relatives, with 53 kg reserved for charity if you choose a 33% charity split. In contrast, selecting goats at 18 kg dressed weight would require three animals to cover three shares, yielding 54 kg total meat but smaller individual packages. The table highlights the contrast:
| Option | Animals needed | Total meat (kg) | Charity share (kg) | Family per household (kg) |
|---|
| One cow (7 shares) | 1 | 160 | 53 | 26.5 |
| Three goats (1 share each) | 3 | 54 | 18 | 6 |
Planning tips
Weights vary by animal, region, and dressing method. Consult local butchers for realistic averages. Consider logistics: cold storage, delivery to relatives, and packaging for charity distributions. If you are abroad or donating through an organization, confirm whether the charity portion is delivered locally or in another country. Keep receipts to document the sacrifice and ensure transparency with participants.
Households often ask whether a family can sponsor multiple shares. Many scholars permit an individual to cover several shares as extra charity once the obligatory portion is fulfilled, which can be reflected by setting the shares-per-household input above one. If you plan to distribute meat widely, consider packaging sizes that balance fairness and food safety—for example, 1–2 kg packets for families in need. Coordinate pickup times to maintain the sanctity of the ritual days and to prevent spoilage. If local regulations require slaughterhouse appointments, booking early avoids last-minute shortages. The calculator cannot secure logistics for you, but it shows how quantity and distribution change when you adjust assumptions.
Limitations and assumptions
This calculator provides planning guidance and does not replace consultation with a trusted scholar on local fiqh requirements. It assumes healthy animals meeting age and defect criteria, and that slaughter will occur during the prescribed days of Eid al-Adha. It treats charity as a percentage of meat weight, not monetary value. Distribution customs differ across communities; adjust inputs accordingly. Temperature, storage safety, and legal rules on home slaughter are outside this tool’s scope.