Short answer
It is recommended to split it into thirds: one for your household, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor. This is not obligatory, so you may keep more if your family needs it. You may not sell any of it or pay the butcher with it.
Dividing the meat into thirds is mustahabb. The owner may eat, store and gift it, and may give it to non-Muslims. Selling the meat or skin for his own benefit is not allowed, and the butcher's fee must be paid separately. Meat from a qurbani done under a vow or from a deceased person's bequest must all go to the poor.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- At least some of the meat must be given raw to a poor Muslim, and it should not be given to non-Muslims.
- Hanbali
- Giving at least some of the meat to the poor is obligatory; the rest may be eaten or gifted.
Explanation
The Quran says of the sacrificial animals "eat of them and feed the miserable and poor". When the Prophet ﷺ had earlier forbidden storing the meat beyond three days during a time of need, he later said: eat, store and give in charity. So there is room for families, guests and the poor.
- Thirds: the recommended split. A large family in need may keep all of it; giving away more is more rewarding.
- Freezing: allowed, with no time limit.
- Non-Muslim neighbours: may be given meat in the Hanafi school, and it is a good way to share the joy of Eid.
- Butcher: pay him with money. You may give him some meat as a gift on top of his full fee.
- Skin: use it yourself or give it away. If it is sold, the money goes to the poor.
In the Prophet's own sacrifice, he told Ali to distribute the meat, the skins and the coverings and to give nothing of it to the butcher as payment. When you pay a charity for qurbani abroad, they distribute it to the poor on your behalf, which is fine (see qurbani abroad).
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Hajj 22:28
لِّيَشْهَدُوا۟ مَنَٰفِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْلُومَٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْبَآئِسَ ٱلْفَقِيرَ ﴿٢٨﴾
That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.
The owner may eat from the sacrifice and should feed the poor.
Quran, Surah Al-Hajj 22:36
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌۭ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
The meat is shared between the owner and those in need.
Sahih Muslim 1971
Sahih... كلوا وادخروا وتصدقوا ...
"Eat, store and give in charity."
The meat may be eaten, kept and given away.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1717
Sahih... أن يقسم بدنه كلها لحومها وجلودها وجلالها ولا يعطي في جزارتها شيئا ...
"He told him to distribute all of his camels, their meat, skins and coverings, and to give nothing of them as the butcher's wage."
The butcher is not paid from the sacrifice.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Udhiyah, on the meat and the skin. Thirds are recommended; selling for one's own benefit is not allowed.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Udhiyah, chapter on using the sacrifice. Giving the meat to non-Muslims.
- Minhaj al-Talibin (Nawawi), Kitab al-Udhiyah. The Shafi'i requirement to give some meat to the poor.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.