What is the best animal for Qurbani?

According to Imam al-Kasani (d. 583 AH), the finest choice for an animal used for Udhiyah is one that’s robust, good-looking, and in optimal health. He suggests this because the animal acts as a bridge to one’s afterlife. This rationale emphasizes that the core principle in Udhiyah is to obey Allah’s command in the best possible way to prepare for the afterlife.

Ibn Abidin (d. 1252 AH) notes that sheep is a better choice than the seventh portion of a cow, provided they have the same value and meat quality, and both are in good condition. He also states that a ram is preferable to a ewe under the same conditions, and the same goes for a female goat over a male goat. Female camels and cows are also deemed better than their male counterparts. This statement’s rationale appears twofold – one, a whole animal is seen as superior to a divided one; and two, an animal with more valuable meat in society is deemed better.

According to Mufti Radha al-Haqq (Hafizahullah), the ideal sacrificial animals should be healthy, visually pleasing, have soft meat, and be free from any defects that could make them unattractive. The underlying idea here is to offer Allah the best form of sacrifice, demonstrating the commitment to sacrificing only the best.^{i ii iii}