Can I do more than one qurbani?
Yes, you can do more than one qurbani. There's no upper limit, and the Prophet ﷺ himself sacrificed more than one animal. One qurbani fulfils the sunnah (or the duty, in the Hanafi school), and anything extra is a voluntary good deed that is rewarded.
The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed more than one
Anas said the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two horned rams on Eid al-Adha, slaughtering them with his own hand (Sahih al-Bukhari 5565). At his farewell Hajj he sacrificed a hundred camels, slaughtering many himself and giving the rest to Ali (Sahih Muslim 1218). So offering several animals is clearly within the sunnah, for anyone who can afford it.
Common reasons people do more than one
- One for each adult in the family. In the Hanafi school, every adult Muslim who has the nisab amount of wealth owes their own qurbani, so a husband and wife might each need one. Other schools say one sheep can cover a whole household. See Can I do one qurbani for my whole family?
- On behalf of a loved one who died. Many scholars allow a qurbani as a gift of reward for a deceased parent or relative. See Can I do qurbani for someone who died?
- One at home and one abroad. Some converts do a qurbani locally to share with neighbours and friends, and pay a charity to sacrifice in a poorer country. See Can I pay for qurbani abroad instead of locally?
- Extra charity. Simply wanting to feed more hungry people is a great reason.
How the shares work
A sheep or goat counts as one qurbani. A cow or camel can be shared by up to seven people, so one share is one qurbani. You can buy several sheep, several shares in a cow, or a mix. Each one needs its own intention, for example "this one for me, this one for my late mother".
A word on balance
Extra qurbanis are a sunnah, not a requirement. Don't take on debt or neglect your family's needs to pay for them; Islam doesn't ask you to stretch beyond what you can manage. If money is tight, one qurbani, or a share in one, is enough, and ordinary sadaqah during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah is also very rewarding.
- You can offer as many qurbanis as you can afford.
- The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two rams, and a hundred camels at Hajj.
- Extra qurbanis can be for family members, the deceased, or more charity.
- Make a separate intention for each animal or share.
People also ask
Does buying lamb from the butcher count as qurbani?
No, buying lamb meat from the butcher isn't qurbani. Qurbani is sacrificing a whole eligible animal after the Eid prayer with that intention.
Read the full answer →Is qurbani cruel to animals?
No, qurbani isn't meant to be cruel: Islam requires a healthy animal, gentle handling and a quick cut with a sharp knife. Here's why.
Read the full answer →Can I celebrate Eid al-Adha if I can't afford qurbani?
Yes, you can celebrate Eid al-Adha without qurbani. It's only asked of those who can afford it, and Eid prayer, takbir and Arafah cost nothing.
Read the full answer →What is the month of Dhul Qadah?
Dhul Qadah is the 11th Islamic month and one of the four sacred months. Learn its meaning, its link to Hajj and the Prophet's umrahs.
Read the full answer →Do I need to be present at my qurbani?
No, you don't need to be present at your qurbani. You can appoint a Muslim butcher or charity to slaughter it for you; it's still valid.
Read the full answer →