How old a cow is for qurbani needs to be considered. If the cow is not old enough, it cannot be sacrificed, and its sacrifice is not valid. This is because age is one of the requirements that must be met in order for the sacrifice to be valid.
How Old is a Cow for Sacrifice and its Permissible Conditions
Before performing qurbani, we need to pay attention to the requirements of the sacrificial animals so that the worship is valid. Here are the requirements that must be met:
1. Livestock
The animals to be sacrificed must be farm animals, such as cattle, camels, and sheep/goats. Poultry animals such as chickens or ducks cannot be used as sacrificial animals. Nor can those from the sea such as cultured fish be used as sacrificial animals. Sacrificial animals are livestock whose meat can be distributed to many people.
2. Old Enough
The cattle that will be sacrificed must be old enough, at least 2 years old entering 3 years old.
Read also: Cow Sacrifice Prayers to Recite During Sacrifice
3. No Defects
Before buying a sacrificial cow, we should check its physical condition carefully and thoroughly to avoid buying a cow with defects. Free from defects means that the eyes are not blind, the ears are not cut off, the legs are not lame, if it has horns, they must be in perfect condition, it has no disease or is not currently sick, the weight is sufficient, not skinny, the tail is not cut off, the skin does not have scabies, and it is not pregnant or breastfeeding.
4. No Unclean Food
We need to check and ask the seller/farmer in detail about the feeding process of the qurbani cattle, as well as the food that the farmer gives to the qurbani animal. This is to avoid cattle that eat unclean food that could potentially carry diseases.
Read also: How Many People Are the Cow Sacrifice for and How is the Law?
Why the age of cattle for qurbani is determined
The age limit of cattle for qurbani that is allowed by Sharia aims to ensure that we will consume good quality beef. This is an effort to avoid the spread of diseases that may be carried by sacrificial animals. In addition, the age limit for cattle for qurbani is required so as not to disrupt the breeding process of cattle.
At the age of 1.5 to 2 years, female cattle have entered the active reproductive period. This is the breeding period for cows to multiply. At least, a female cow gives birth to one cow every year. If cattle under the stipulated age are slaughtered, this will hinder the process of cattle breeding. It is feared that in the future, the population of special sacrificial cattle will be less than the required number.
The age of sacrificial cattle is 2 to 3 years old. This is the ideal age for cattle to be sacrificed. This is because at this age, female cows have already conceived and given birth to new calves. Therefore, male cows can be sacrificed or female cows that are not pregnant or lactating.
Qurbani Saves Rewards in the Hereafter
Sacrificing on Eid al-Adha has many virtues, one of which is to gain rewards from Allah Swt. as our provision in the hereafter. In order for our qurbani to be rewarded by Allah, here are some things that we must do, namely:
1. Sincere Intention
Make sure your intention in performing qurbani is to get closer to Allah SWT and seek His pleasure. Sincere intention is the main key so that our qurbani can be accepted and become a reward savings in the hereafter.
2. Social Purpose
Sacrifice with a noble purpose, which is to share happiness and enjoyment with those in need such as the poor. Intend to help them eat meat that they might not be able to afford at home. In addition, qurbani meat is distributed evenly, regardless of the social status of rich and poor. All Muslims can equally enjoy qurbani meat on Eid.
3. Choosing a Good Sacrificial Animal and Ensuring the Age of the Cow for Sacrifice is Appropriate
Make sure that the qurbani animals you choose are healthy, free of defects, and meet the requirements of Islamic law. We need to make sure that the age of the cattle is in accordance with Sharia. So that the meat that we will distribute later is good quality meat. You can choose a cow, goat, or sheep according to your ability and requirements. But make sure it is in good condition, so that there is no harm to those who consume it.
4. Equitable Distribution
Make sure that the qurbani meat is distributed to those in need. This not only provides social benefits, but also strengthens social relations and a sense of brotherhood in the community. Often times in Indonesia, the distribution of qurbani meat only revolves around the surrounding neighborhoods. If there are neighborhoods where few people can afford to sacrifice, then the unequal distribution can create inequality. Therefore, make sure that the beneficiaries of your qurbani meat are people who really need it.
Read also: Qurbani on behalf of family, is it permissible according to Syariat?
Qurban at Dompet Dhuafa
Perhaps you don’t have enough time and energy to inspect the qurbani cattle. Such as ensuring whether the cattle are old enough, whether the cattle are raised in hygienic conditions or not, whether the cattle are physically healthy, and whether the qurbani meat is distributed evenly. You can entrust your qurbani intention through Dompet Dhuafa. Through the empowerment of local farmers, Dompet Dhuafa always ensures that the qurbani cows are healthy and fulfill the Sharia law. Qurbani meat is distributed widely to remote areas of the country. With the hope that there will be no more small communities who do not receive the benefits of qurbani meat. Spread the blessings and save the rewards of qurbani with Dompet Dhuafa. Learn more by clicking the image below.
