Can I sell the skin or meat from my qurbani?

Why selling isn't allowed

Ali ibn Abi Talib said the Prophet ﷺ put him in charge of his sacrificial camels, told him to give away their meat, skins and coverings, and not to give the butcher anything from them as payment (Sahih al-Bukhari 1717; Sahih Muslim 1317). The animal was offered to Allah, so its parts are not used for trade. This is the view of the majority of scholars.

What you can do with the meat

• Eat some yourself and share it with your household.
• Give some to relatives, friends and neighbours, including non-Muslims.
• Give some to people in need. Many people split it into thirds, but this is a recommendation, not a fixed rule.

Selling leftover meat to a shop or a friend isn't allowed. If you have too much, freeze it or give more away. See Can I do one qurbani for my whole family?

What about the skin?

You may keep the skin and use it yourself, for example as a rug or leather, or donate it. Many mosques in the UK and elsewhere collect qurbani skins and pass the proceeds to charity. If a skin does end up being sold, scholars, especially in the Hanafi school, say the money must go to the poor as sadaqah, not into your own pocket. Hanafis also allow swapping the skin for a useful item you keep, but not for cash to spend. See What is the difference between zakat and sadaqah?

Paying the butcher

Most converts in the West order qurbani through a butcher, mosque or charity. Their fee is a normal payment for their work, and that's fine. The point is that the fee comes from your money, not from the animal's meat or skin. You can still give the butcher some meat as a gift on top of the full fee. See What is qurbani and do I have to do it?