How to Preserve the Meat of Your Qurbani Animal

Eid al-Adha is one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar. Millions of Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha to commemorate the unwavering faith and commitment of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Muslims offer animal sacrifice on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The sacrificial meat is consumed and distributed among relatives, neighbours, friends, and deserving people. In this article, we will see how to preserve meat well for later consumption. We will also discuss how to preserve meat with salt, and if it is a good way of preservation.

Is it Permissible to Consume Qurbani Meat After Eid?

It is permissible to distribute all portions of sacrificial meat among deserving people. However, it is customary to divide the sacrificial meat into three equal portions. One portion is distributed among relatives, friends, and neighbors. The other portion is distributed among the poor, while one is kept for personal consumption.

The Quran tells us that:

“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.” (Surat Al-Ĥaj, 22:36)

According to some Hadith, at one point the Prophet(ﷺ) forbade the consumption of sacrificial meat after three days of Eid. It was done to encourage rich people to distribute meat among the poor. However, the instruction was later abrogated. 

Narrated `Abis: I asked `Aisha “Did the Prophet (ﷺ) forbid eating the meat of sacrifices offered on `EId-ul-Adha for more than three days” She said, “The Prophet (ﷺ) did not do this except in the year when the people were hungry, so he wanted the rich to feed the poor. But later we used to store even a trotter of a sheep to eat it fifteen days later.” She was asked, “What compelled you to do so?” She smiled and said, “The family of Muhammad did not eat to their satisfaction white bread with meat soup for three successive days till he met Allah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5423)

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How to Preserve Meat?

To understand the best way of meat preservation, we must be aware of the ways meat can be spoiled. Factors such as microorganisms (bacteria) are responsible for meat spoilage. Many different types of bacteria can grow on meat.

Two types of bacteria can grow on food: Pathogenic bacteria and Spoilage bacteria. While Pathogenic bacteria can grow rapidly in unregulated meat, Spoilage bacteria can also grow very quickly to spoil the look and taste of the meat.

Therefore, maintaining hygiene and refrigerating is the key to better preservation of the meat.

You should wash your hands thoroughly while handling meat to avoid the bacteria from spreading. It is recommended to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before handling the raw meat. Besides bacteria, molds can also spoil meat very quickly. 

Improper packing of meat can also cause oxidation, which results in the rotting of the meat.

Storing Sacrificial Meat:

Safe food storage is extremely important during the summer. Raw meat can generally last for almost three days in the refrigerator. However, if you intend to keep the meat well-preserved for a long period, you will have to freeze it. Before freezing the meat, ensure it is stored in an airtight container. This will allow you to store the meat for months. To retain the nutrients and keep the meat fresh, you should try to freeze it to a temperature close to 0°F (-17.8°C). A temperature of 34°F (1.1°C) can further increase the shelf life of frozen meat. 

How to Preserve Meat With Salt?

If you do not have a freezer, it is still possible to store meat, but for that, you will have to dehydrate it. Ensure that the meat is sliced thinly. Season it with salt and spices. Let it dry in a cool and well-ventilated place for at least a day.

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About Transparent Hands

Transparent Hands is one of Pakistan’s leading online crowdfunding platforms that focuses on providing healthcare services to needy patients. We arrange surgeries and medical assistance for deserving patients. We also reach out to the most overlooked segments of society through our medical camps. Our camps provide free medical checkups, diagnostic tests, medicines, and preventive healthcare sessions. Transparent Hands maintains transparency and efficiency by sharing all the vital information through its website and social media platforms. We keep our donors informed about the progress of the patients they support. Transparent Hands also conducts Qurbani and distributes sacrificial meat according to Sharia rulings. We distribute Qurbani meat among the most vulnerable segments of society. 

Conclusion:

Eid al-Adha is a time of celebration for millions of Muslims worldwide. Many Muslims sacrifice animals on Eid al-Adha, and thus, preserving the sacrificial meat becomes important, especially in regions with extreme temperatures. The sacrificial meat can be kept safe and preserved through freezing, refrigeration, or dehydration with salt and spices. This article also covered how to preserve meat with salt if refrigeration or freezing isn’t available. However, maintaining the best hygiene practices is extremely important for the prevention of bacteria. Islam permits the consumption of sacrificial meat after  the three days of Eid. If you want to consume meat for a longer period, make sure that you properly freeze it. However, every product has a shelf life, and one should consume the meat before its expiration. 

Transparent Hands accepts Qurbani donations and distributes the sacrificial meat. We maintain the highest hygiene standards, follow Islamic guidelines, and we reach out to the most deserving communities to ensure that your Qurbani goes to needy families. Donate to Transparent Hands to help us reach a greater number of people this Eid al-Adha.

Read More:

All You Need to Know About Animal Sacrifice 

Qurbani Meat Distribution Rules