Praise be to Allah

What is Aqeeqah? Is it compulsory or recommendatory?

This sacrifice which is done for the newborn is called ‘aqeeqah.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said: 

‘Aqeeqah is Sunnah mu’akkadah. For a boy two sheep should be sacrificed, each of which should meet the same conditions as a sheep for udhiya (sacrifice), and for a girl one sheep should be sacrificed. The sheep should be slaughtered on the seventh day, but if there is a delay it may be slaughtered at any time, and there is no sin in delaying it, although it is preferable to do it as soon as possible. And Allaah is the Source of strength; may Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions.

 

How many sheeps for Aqeeqah?

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in the following ahaadeeth:

1 – It was narrated from Salmaan ibn ‘Aamir al-Dabbi that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “ ‘Aqeeqah is to be offered for a (newly born) boy, so slaughter (an animal) for him, and remove all dirt from him.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5154)

2 – It was narrated from ‘Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded them to sacrifice two similar sheep for a boy and one for a girl.

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi; he said, it is hasan saheeh; Ibn Maajah, 3163; Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1221.

3 – It was narrated from Umm Karaz that she asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about ‘aqeeqah and he said: “For a boy two sheep and for a girl one, and it does not matter whether they are male or female.”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1516; he said, it is hasan saheeh; al-Nasaa’i, 4217; Abu Dawood, 2835; Ibn Maajah, 3162, without the last part; Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2460.

When to do Aqeeqah?

It was narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “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 al-Tirmidhi, 1522, he said it is hasan saheeh; Ibn Maajah, 3165; Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 2563).

 

 

And Allaah knows best.