The Sunnah of ‘Aqeeqah

by Asma bint Shameem 

🔺What is Aqeeqah?

The sacrifice which is done in order to thank Allaah for the blessing of the newborn is called ‘Aqeeqah. 

🔺The ruling on Aqeeqah

Doing ‘Aqeeqah for the newborn is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah, according to the stronger scholarly opinion. 

That means it’s something “recommended” and not something obligatory. 

🍃The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“With the boy there should be ‘aqeeqah, so shed blood on his behalf and remove the harm (i.e., circumcision).” (al-Bukhaari, no. 5049)

🍃 And he said:

“The boy is in pledge for his ‘Aqeeqah which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he should be named and his head shaved.” (at-Tirmidhi-

saheeh by al-Albaani)

🔺What to sacrifice?

We should sacrifice two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. 

That’s the instructions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

🍃He said:

“For a boy, two sheep, and for a girl, one sheep, and it does not matter whether they are male or female.” 

[al-Bukhaari (1516)]

🔺 What kind of animal?

The conditions for an animal that should be chosen for ‘Aqeeqah are the same as the conditions for the animal chosen for Udhiyah or qurbaani. 

So the age should be appropriate and there should be no defect in the animal. 

🔺 Can I offer a cow or camel instead of sheep?

The Sunnah is to offer two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever has a child born to him and wants to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, let him do so, for a boy two sheep of similar type and for a girl one sheep.” 

(Abu Dawood 2842; hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

Whether we can offer an animal other than a sheep is an issue of dispute among the scholars. 

Some said it is permissible to  substitute it for a share in a cow or camel. 

But other said that’s not allowed because the Prophet ﷺ did not do that. 

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“It is not acceptable to share an ‘aqeeqah, so it is not acceptable to offer a camel on behalf of two or a cow on behalf of two, so it is less likely to be acceptable on behalf of three or four. 

The reason for that is: 

Firstly that there is no report of sharing an ‘aqeeqah, and acts of worship are based on following the texts. 

Secondly it is a ransom, and a ransom cannot be divided. 

It is a ransom on behalf of a soul, and if the ransom is on behalf of a soul, it must also be a soul.  

No doubt the first reason is stronger, because if there was a report to indicate that an ‘aqeeqah could be shared, then the second reason would become invalid, so the basis of the ruling is that there is no report to indicate that.”

And he said:

“… with regard to the ‘aqeeqah, a sheep is better than an entire camel, because it is what is mentioned in the Sunnah, so it is better than a camel.” (ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘ ‘ala Zaad al-Mustaqni‘)

🔺 How to distribute the meat?

There’s no “specific way” to distribute the meat of the Aqeeqah. 

Rather you can divide it amongst your neighbors, friends and relatives and also keep some for yourself. 

🍃Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa said concerning the meat of the ‘aqeeqah: 

“It should be cut into pieces, then eaten and given to others.” (Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 5)

🍃 And Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“ The one who offers the ‘aqeeqah has the choice: if he wishes he may distribute the meat between relatives, friends and the poor; if he wishes he may cook it and invite whoever he wants of relatives, neighbors and the poor to come and eat.”

(Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 4/262)

🔺The benefits of ‘Aqeeqah:

🍃Ibn al-Qayyim said: 

“Among the benefits of ‘Aqeeqah is that it is a sacrifice that is offered on behalf of the newborn when he first emerges into this world. 

Another benefit is that it “releases” the newborn, for he is held in pledge for his ‘Aqeeqah so that he may intercede for his parents. 

Another benefit is that it is a ransom that is paid for the newborn just as Allaah, may He be exalted, ransomed Ismaa’eel with the ram.”

He also said:

“And it shouldn’t be deemed as far off that this (i.e the aqeeqah) is a means of protection for him (i.e the child) from the Shaytan after his birth. Similarly, mentioning the name of Allah at the time of the fluid entering into the womb is a means of protection for him from the harm of the devil. Thus, it is rare to find someone who their parents abandon performing aqeeqah for him except he has been stricken by the Shaytan. And [in all cases] the secret wisdoms of the legislations are far greater than this.” (Tuhfat al-Mawdood, p. 69)

🔺The timing for Aqeeqah:

The time for the ‘Aqeeqah is when the baby is seven days old. 

But if the animal is sacrificed before or after that, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as the sacrifice is done after the birth of the baby. 

🍃 Imaam an-Nawawi said: 

“If he sacrifices it after the seventh day or before it, or after the birth, that is acceptable, but if he sacrifices it before the birth, that is not acceptable, and there is no difference of scholarly opinion on this point; rather it is just meat.“

(al-Majmoo‘, 8/411)

🔺 What if no one did ‘Aqeeqah for me?

If a person did not have an ‘Aqeeqah done for them as a baby, there’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about whether they should do it later on or not. 

Some said that it’s recommended if they do it. 

Others did not agree with that. 

The stronger scholarly opinion is that it’s good  (mustahabb) if you do it. 

But if you don’t, there’s no sin on you. 

🍃Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“The first view is more correct, which is that it is mustahabb to offer ‘Aqeeqah on behalf of oneself, because ‘Aqeeqah is a confirmed Sunnah but if the father omitted to do it, so it is prescribed for him to do it if he is able. 

That is because of the general meaning of the ahaadeeth, such as the words of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam: 

“Every child is in pledge for his ‘Aqeeqah which should be sacrificed for him on the seventh day, and his head should be shaved and he should be given a name.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad.”

🍃Someone asked Imaam Ahmad if they should do ‘Aqeeqah as an adult. 

He said:

"If someone does that I would not discourage it or regard it as reprehensible."

So if you can afford it and want to do ‘Aqeeqah for yourself, it’s good if you do it.

But it’s not a must and you’re not sinful if you don’t. 

🔺 Other Sunnahs associated with Aqeeqah

It is also recommended to name the baby, shave the head, and give its weight in charity on the seventh day at the time of the Aqeeqah. 

🍃 Ali radhi Allaahu anhu said:

 “The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam offered a sheep as ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan, and said: ‘O Faatimah, shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver in charity.’” (at-Tirmidhi -hasan by al-Albaani)

🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah, which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, when he should be named and his head shaved.” 

(al-Tirmidhi, 1522; Abu Dawood, 3838; saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1165)

But if the child is named earlier or later than that, that’s also permissible. 

🍃 The scholars said:

“If the child is named or the ‘aqeeqah slaughtered on a day other than the seventh, there is nothing wrong with that, or with slaughtering the ‘aqeeqah on one day and shaving the child’s head on a different day.” 

(Islamqa Fatwa # 20646)

And Allaah knows best.