Issues concerning the Aqeeqah Q. What is the ruling of sacrificing the Aqeeqah if the child is a male or a female? Is it necessary that two sheep be slaughtered upon behalf of a male child? What would the ruling be if one sheep was sacrificed then a long period elapsed before the slaughter of the second? What is the ruling if it was the grandfather who performed the sacrifice on behalf of his son’s son? What is the ruling if he were to help him in the cost of purchasing the sacrificial animals? What is the ruling of holding a banquet upon the occasion of the Aqeeqah? What is to be done with the meat? A. The Aqeeqah is the sacrificial animal that is slaughtered on behalf of a child and its performance is Sunnah Muakadah.1 Some scholars hold that it is obligatory due to the Prophet’s (saw) saying: “Every child is a pledge subject to its Aqeeqah that is sacrificed on its seventh day and it is there forth named.” Rather this Hadeeth indicates to its importance, as the basis of everything is non obligation until clearly proven otherwise. The Sunnah is to sacrifice two sheep on behalf of a male child or two beasts of any such cattle, even goats. One animal is to be sacrificed on behalf of a female child. If one is limited to slaughtering one animal on behalf of a male child then that is sufficient, Allaah willing. It is permissible to differentiate between two animals by slaughtering the first after a week and the second after two weeks, but to sacrifice them on the same day is better. Primarily the Aqeeqah is incumbent upon the father to express his gratitude towards Allaah The Most High, The one who has bestowed upon him a child. However, if his grandfather, brother or other relative were to perform it, it would suffice. Similarly if some relatives were to donate towards the cost of the Aqeeqah, this would also suffice. The Sunnah is to eat a third, give to friends as gifts a third and donate in charity to the Muslims a third. It is permissible to invite friends and family to partake in it or don ate it entirely to charity. Sheikh Ibn Jibreen [Fataawa Islaamiyyah: 2/325]
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Sunnah Muakadah: A strong Sunnah, the one who performs it deserves reward and the one who leaves it does not incur punishment but is blameworthy.