The ritual of qurbani is a highly recommended act during Eid al-Adha. The majority of scholars from the Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought hold the view that qurbani is a sunnah muakkadah—that is, a strongly recommended sunnah—rather than an obligation.
Because it is not obligatory, qurbani is closely tied to one’s financial capacity. Islam does not burden its followers beyond their means. Allah, the Exalted and Glorified, states:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.” (Quran 2:286)
This verse serves as the basis that acts of worship, including the sacrifice, should be performed only when one is able to do so and should not be forced to the point of causing hardship.
Read also: The Meaning of Qurbani from the Story of Prophet Ibrahim in the AI Era
The Ruling on Qurbani with Debt
A frequently asked question is whether it is permissible to perform qurbani by taking on debt. Generally, scholars state that performing qurbani with debt is permissible, but not recommended, especially if the debt is likely to be burdensome or cannot be repaid.
Imam An-Nawawi explains that qurbani is recommended for those who are able. If someone is unable to do so, there is no obligation to perform it. This means that forcing oneself to the point of incurring debt is actually inconsistent with the fundamental principles of worship.
This view is also in line with many contemporary scholars who emphasize that it is inappropriate to make debt the primary means of performing the qurbani, except under specific circumstances.
When Is Performing the Qurbani with Debt Permitted?
Some scholars note that performing the qurbani with debt is permissible if the following conditions are met:
- Having a strong ability to repay the debt
- If one is certain to have a clear source of income or funds to repay the debt in the near future, then this is still permissible.
- Does not interfere with basic needs
- The debt does not make it difficult for one to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and family needs.
- Does not involve usury
- Debt involving usury is clearly prohibited in Islam; therefore, it is not permissible to take on debt through systems that contradict Islamic law solely for the purpose of sacrificing.
If these conditions are not met, it is better not to perform the qurbani than to force oneself to do so.
Warnings Regarding Debt in Islam
Islam places great emphasis on the issue of debt. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded us that debt is a serious matter. One hadith states: “The soul of a believer is held captive by his debt until it is settled.” (HR. Tirmidhi). This hadith indicates that debt is not a trivial matter and carries significant consequences. Therefore, taking on additional debt without an urgent need—including for sunnah acts of worship—must be considered with the utmost caution.
In Islam, obligations must take precedence over sunnah acts. Repaying debt is an obligation, whereas sacrifice (kurban), according to the majority of scholars, is a sunnah. Thus, if a person has debt and limited financial means, repaying the debt takes precedence over performing the sacrifice.
Performing the sacrifice while in debt is fundamentally permissible, provided one is truly capable of repaying it and it does not cause hardship. However, in many situations, this is not recommended because the sacrifice is not an obligatory act of worship. Islam teaches balance and ease. If one is not yet able to do so, not performing the qurbani is not a shortcoming. Rather, it demonstrates a good understanding of the principles of Sharia.
Don’t forget to prepare your best qurbani this year with Dompet Dhuafa, for a qurbani that will benefit people across the entire nation.