Can a woman slaughter the qurbani animal?
Yes, a Muslim woman can slaughter the qurbani animal herself. Scholars of all four schools agree that a woman's slaughter is valid, and the meat is halal. She can also appoint someone else to do it for her, which is how most people in the West do qurbani.
The evidence
A slave girl of the family of Ka'b ibn Malik was grazing their sheep when one of them was about to die. She broke a stone and slaughtered it with its sharp edge. When the Prophet ﷺ was asked, he told them to eat it (Sahih al-Bukhari 5501). The Prophet ﷺ approved a woman's slaughter without any hesitation.
The companion Abu Musa al-Ash'ari is also reported to have told his daughters to slaughter their own sacrifices with their own hands. Imam al-Bukhari mentions this in his chapter on qurbani.
Is it better to do it yourself?
Scholars say it's recommended for the person offering the qurbani to slaughter it themselves if they can do it properly, because the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two rams with his own hand, saying "Bismillah, Allahu akbar" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5565). This applies to women as much as men. If you can't, or you'd rather not, it's fine to appoint a skilled slaughterer and, if possible, be present. Qurbani is an act of worship for Allah, whoever holds the knife:
What about periods?
A woman who is on her period can slaughter, and the meat is halal according to the majority of scholars. Slaughter doesn't require wudu or ghusl. The conditions are the same for men and women: a Muslim (or, per most scholars, a Christian or Jew) of sound mind, a sharp blade, cutting the throat and main vessels, and saying Allah's name. See How is halal meat slaughtered?
Practical reality in the West
In the UK, most of Europe and the USA, slaughter of farm animals usually has to happen at a licensed slaughterhouse by trained staff. So for most women, and men too, "doing it yourself" means booking with a halal abattoir or farm, or paying a charity to sacrifice on your behalf. That still counts as your qurbani. If you'd like to slaughter personally, some farms allow it under supervision; check local law first. See What is qurbani and do I have to do it?
Wondering whether your share also covers your household? See Can I do one qurbani for my whole family?
- A woman's slaughter is valid and the meat is halal.
- The Prophet ﷺ approved a slave girl's slaughter of a sheep.
- Doing your own qurbani is recommended if you can do it well.
- Appointing a slaughterer or charity is also fully valid.
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