Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta has stated that Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It is performed by slaughtering an animal for a newborn, whether the child is a boy or a girl.
The institution explained that the more complete practice is to slaughter two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl, with the seventh day after birth being the preferred time.
What Is the Ruling on Aqiqah for Boys and Girls?
Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah, and those who are financially able are encouraged to perform it for their newborn children.
The more complete practice is:
- Two sheep for a boy.
- One sheep for a girl.
Aqiqah is performed as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a newborn and as an observance of the Prophetic Sunnah.
When Should Aqiqah Be Performed?
Dar Al-Ifta explained that the seventh day after birth is the preferred time for Aqiqah.
If the seventh day is missed, it may be performed on the fourteenth day. If that is missed as well, it may be performed on the twenty-first day.
If these dates pass, Aqiqah may still be performed later whenever the person is able to do so.
Can Aqiqah Be Performed Before Birth?
No. Aqiqah performed before the baby is born does not count as Aqiqah, according to the ruling cited from Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta.
The reason is that Aqiqah is connected to the birth and life of the newborn. Before the child is born, the cause for Aqiqah has not yet occurred.
Dar Al-Ifta cited the prophetic narration:
“When the seventh day comes, slaughter an animal for him, remove the harm from him, and name him.”
Therefore, parents who wish to perform Aqiqah should wait until after the baby is born.
How Should Aqiqah Meat Be Distributed?
Dar Al-Ifta explained that Aqiqah meat may be distributed in a manner similar to sacrificial meat.
The family may:
- Eat from it.
- Feed relatives and others.
- Give portions as gifts.
- Donate to people in need.
- Store some of the meat for later.
There is flexibility in how the family benefits from and distributes the Aqiqah meat.
Is It Sinful to Leave Aqiqah?
Dar Al-Ifta confirmed that a Muslim does not incur a sin for leaving Aqiqah, whether there is an excuse or not.
However, someone who is financially able to perform Aqiqah and leaves it misses the reward, virtue, and blessing associated with this confirmed Sunnah.
Thus, Aqiqah is strongly encouraged but is not an obligation whose abandonment constitutes a sin.
What Does the Word Aqiqah Mean?
The Arabic word Aqiqah comes from the root ‘aqqa, associated with cutting or splitting.
The term can refer to the hair with which a newborn is born, and it is also used for the animal slaughtered on the occasion of the child’s birth.
The sacrifice became known as Aqiqah because of its connection with shaving the newborn’s hair on the seventh day, as established in the Prophetic tradition.
What Is the Sunnah for a Newborn’s Aqiqah?
The ruling cited from Dar Al-Ifta can be summarized as follows:
Aqiqah for a Boy
The more complete practice is to slaughter two sheep for a male newborn.
Aqiqah for a Girl
The more complete practice is to slaughter one sheep for a female newborn.
Aqiqah Timing
The preferred time is the seventh day after birth, followed by the fourteenth and twenty-first days if the earlier opportunities are missed.
Performing Aqiqah Later
If these dates have passed, Aqiqah may still be performed later whenever the person is able to do so.
What is the Islamic ruling on Aqiqah?
Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and a person does not sin by leaving it.
How many sheep are required for Aqiqah?
The more complete practice is two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl.
Can Aqiqah be slaughtered before birth?
No. According to the cited ruling, Aqiqah performed before birth does not count because the birth of the child is the cause associated with the Aqiqah.
When should Aqiqah be performed?
The preferred time is the seventh day after birth, then the fourteenth or twenty-first day. It may also be performed later.
How is Aqiqah meat distributed?
The family may eat from it, feed others, give it as gifts, donate it to those in need, and store some of it.
