Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 3, 2026.
Qurbani means sacrificing more than an animal
In one sentence
Qurbani requires correct slaughtering practice, but its deeper purpose is demonstrating submission to Allah by sacrificing both an animal and one's desires.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Explains sharing rules for large animals and the one-person rule for goats or sheep.
- Encourages buying and caring for the animal beforehand to cultivate personal connection and sincerity.
- Describes slaughter requirements, including a Muslim slaughterer, Allah's name, and cutting three of four throat vessels.
- Rejects machine slaughter and urges halal-consciousness beyond Eid.
- Connects qurbani to dedicating one's life to Allah and sacrificing personal desires, then directs the congregation to prepare for prayer.
Try this week
Share a large animal among up to seven people; a goat or sheep is for one person's qurbani.
If able, obtain the animal several days early and feed and care for it.
Perform the slaughter personally or arrange for a Muslim to do it.
Say Bismillah and Allahu Akbar, cut at least three of the four throat vessels, and avoid cutting all the way through the neck.
Avoid machine-slaughtered meat and remain careful about halal food on ordinary days.
Sacrifice personal desires by following what Allah has permitted and what the Messenger taught.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“One of the reasons that it's better to have the animal earlier. Bring it earlier and feed it and take care of it. And then slaughter it on the day of Eid.”
“Sometimes people think, well, I forgot the du'a. My qurbani is not valid. No, it's still okay.”
“Machine slaughtered meat is, remember my dear brother, slaughtering is an ibadat. Can a machine do ibadat? Ibadat has to be done by a Muslim.”
“The Qur'ani spirit is not just the animal. We are showing to Allah by our Qur'ani that, Ya Allah, we love you more than anything. We love you more than anyone.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Qurbani is an act of worship with practical rules and a deeper spiritual lesson. The speaker explained how animals may be shared, how they should be slaughtered, and why the slaughterer must be Muslim and mention Allah's name. Caring for the animal beforehand can help us appreciate that sacrifice is made sincerely for Allah. We should also be careful about halal food throughout the year, not only on Eid. Most importantly, qurbani reminds us to sacrifice our desires and obey Allah.
- What is one desire you could give up to become more obedient to Allah?
- Why might caring for an animal before qurbani change how we feel about the sacrifice?
- How can our family be more careful about halal food this week?
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