Ramadan is over, so it’s time to spend Shawwal preparing for Dhul-Hijjah and the qurbani (udhiyah) season.
The hadith teach Muslims to celebrate Ramadan’s completion by eating and giving to the needy. That’s what Eid al-Fitr is all about. But after that, it’s good to begin fasting again when it’s not required. This helps discipline the body and soul, and it creates a habit of fasting outside of Ramadan that makes it easier once the next year’s Ramadan arrives.
Preparing for qurbani 2024
Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year" (Muslim).
But it’s not just required to fast Ramadan and worthwhile to fast Shawwal. There are blessings in fasting in the days leading up to the qurbani (udhiyah) sacrifice on Eid al-Adha.
One of the wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “The Prophet used to fast on the day of Ashura, nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days each month: The first Monday of the month, and two Thursdays."
Just as the last 10 nights of Ramadan are considered the best nights in the Islamic calendar, the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are considered the best days of the year.
Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari narrated that the Messenger of Allah was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the ninth of the month of Dhul-Hijjah).
He replied, ‘Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.’ He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, ‘Fasting on the day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.’ The Messenger of Allah was also asked about fasting on Mondays, and he replied, ‘This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation’” (Muslim).
The first full day of Qurbani/Hajj season 2024 (or the first of the month of Dhul-Hijjah) is expected to fall on Friday, June 7. That would also place Eid al-Adha 2024 to be celebrated the morning of Monday, June 17.
Where and when to give for qurbani 2024
On both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (the latter of which is when Muslims perform the qurbani sacrifice), Muslims are guided to celebrate and commemorate important days in Islamic history. But no celebration is complete in Islam without an act of selflessness to draw oneself nearer to God.
Just as Muslims give zakat al-fitr before the special Eid salah (prayer) on Eid al-Fitr, they either physically make the qurbani sacrifice or facilitate it — typically through funding — on the morning of Eid al-Adha.
International nonprofit organizations like Zakat Foundation of America begin preparing for the qurbani season months in advance. Zakat Foundation of America works with local shepherds and farmers to raise livestock suitable for the qurbani sacrifice. It subsequently provides a list of countries where it will facilitate the sacrifices on donors’ behalf and distribute the fresh meat directly to recipients who need it. Check Zakat Foundation of America’s Qurbani 2024 page for an updated list of countries and their respective pricing, which varies by both location and type of livestock.