The Qurbaani Animal

It is permissible to offer in sacrifice a goat or she-goat, sheep of all kinds, cow, bull, buffalo or camel.

It is necessary that the goat is one (full) year old, whether male or female. A cow, bull or buffalo will have to be two years old, and a camel five years.

Animals that are younger are not suitable for Qurbaani.

A sheep (of any kind) not less than six months old, so strong and fit that it appears to be one year old will suffice for Qurbaani, otherwise it will have to be one (full) year old.

A cow, bull, buffalo or camel will suffice for seven persons provided no one's share is less than one seventh and the niyyah (intention) of all partners is to attain thawaab (for Qurbaani), and not merely to obtain meat.

The Qurbaani of only one person can be performed from a goat, sheep or ram.

Mas'alah: If an animal seller says that the animal has reached the required age, and outwardly there is no sign to disprove it, then it is permissible to rely on his statement.

Mas'alah: Animals that are blind, one-eyed or has lost one-third or more of its eyesight are not permissible for Qurbaani.

Mas'alah: Animals that have lost a third of the ear or the tail are not acceptable for Qurbaani. Similarly, the animal which has no ear from its very birth cannot be used for Qurbaani.

Mas'alah: Animal that was born without horns or the horn had broken off from the middle, is allowed for Qurbaani. But if the horn has been broken off from the root, then it is not permitted.

Mas'alah: Animals that are castrated can be used for Qurbaani. In fact this type of animal is preferable.

Mas'alah: Animal which has one leg lame to the extent that it walks on three legs only and is unable to use the fourth leg cannot be used for Qurbaani. If it can put the lame leg on the ground and walk with its support, then it is permissible even though it limps.

Mas'alah: If an animal is so lean and thin that its bones have no marrow, then it cannot be offered for sacrifice.

Mas'alah: If an animal is so weak that it cannot walk to the place of slaughtering on its own, then it cannot be used for Qurbaani.

Mas'alah: A completely toothless animal, or one that has lost most of its teeth is not allowed for Qurbaani.

Mas'alah: An animal was purchased in a healthy and perfect state forQurbaani. Thereafter, an accident occurred which made the animal unfit for Qurbaani. If the buyer is wealthy (upon whom Qurbaani  is waajib), then it is compulsory to obtain and sacrifice another animal in place of the injured. But if the buyer is not so wealthy, it is permissible to offer the same injured animal for Qurbaani.

Mas'alah: It is virtuous to purchase the animal for Qurbaani a few days prior to slaughtering and care must be taken in feeding and nursing it.

Masnoon Method of Sacrifice