On Eid al-Adha, Qurbani and Udhiya are performed to honor the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.), which is mentioned in the Quran. It is a function for Muslims where they penance a creature during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Qurbani is a religious observance that is highly significant and practiced by Muslims. The question is Qurbani Farz or Sunnah? It requires clarification.
Qurbani - What does it mean?
Qurbani is the sacred slaying of a goat, sheep, cow, or camel in the twelfth and final month of the Islamic Calender, Dhul Hijjah. Financially able Muslims must perform Qurbani. It can be done by non-Hajj pilgrims on the 10th, 11th, or 12th day of Dhul Hijjah. The butchered meat is divided into three parts: one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for needy people. Qurbani is a way to worship Allah and ask for his forgiveness and blessings. Muslims can also give to the needy and foster a communal spirit.
Is Qurbani Farz (Obligatory)
Many scholars debate on is Qurbani farz or Sunnah. Is Qurbani mandatory or not? As every year Muslims perform Qurbani in Eid-ul-Adha, many assume Qurbani fard. But it is not. It is a highly encouraged Sunnah. The Prophet (SAW) declared,
'On this day of ours, we will first offer the (Eid) prayer before going to the sacrifice. Whoever performs this is following our Sunnah.'(Bukhari)
Qurbani being farz or not, has more than one answer. Most Islamic scholars say that Qurbani is not farz but a sunnah mu’akkadah. It is a highly recommended act that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his followers did.
On the other hand, the Hanafi school of thinking holds that Qurbani is wajib and obligatory. While wajib deeds are still highly essential and, in the Hanafi school of thought, it is regarded as responsibilities upon Muslims (i.e., one should not purposefully miss them), farz actions are mandatory based on unambiguous proof.
The performance of Qurbani is rewarding regardless of your school of thought because the Prophet (saw) himself perform it and encouraged his followers to do the same. Even though Qurbani isn't farz, it is firmly advanced and has numerous profound advantages.
Despite this disagreement, the vast majority of Muslims consider qurbani to be a great rewarding practice. It is performed by millions of Muslims around the world each year. The purpose of Qurbani is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismail (peace be upon him) as an act of obedience to Allah and to express our gratitude and submission to Allah by the Qurbani of an animal in his name.
Conclusion:
Although scholars debate the status of Qurbani as farz vs. Sunnah, it is viewed widely among Muslims as a highly effective and recommended practice and an integral part of their faith.