Aqiqah for a newborn (also spelled ‘Aqeeqah) is the animal sacrificed for a baby in thanks to God for the gift of a child. Most scholars hold that it is a confirmed Sunnah of two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. In addition, the Sunnah is to offer it on the seventh day after birth, and whoever misses that day may offer it later when able.
- Ruling: a confirmed Sunnah, with no sin on someone who cannot afford it.
- Number: two sheep for a boy, one sheep for a girl.
- Time: the seventh day, then the fourteenth, then the twenty-first, then whenever possible.
- Conditions: the same age and soundness rules as the Eid sacrifice.
- Agency: a charity may buy, slaughter and distribute it on your behalf.
What is Aqiqah for a newborn, and what is its ruling?
Aqiqah is the name of the sacrifice a family offers for a newborn, out of joy at the birth and gratitude to God. Moreover, it is an act of worship that joins obedience to God with sharing happiness with family, neighbours and families who are entitled to support.
Most scholars hold that it is a confirmed Sunnah rather than an obligation. For this reason, an Islamweb fatwa explains that someone whose income does not allow it commits no sin by leaving it, because it is not obligatory. On the other hand, whoever is able to offer it follows the Sunnah and earns its reward.
How many sheep in Aqiqah for a newborn boy and girl?
The Sunnah is two comparable sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. However, if a parent can only afford one sheep for a son, that is sufficient.
When God blesses a family with more than one child, each child has an Aqiqah of their own. Also, two children cannot share the Aqiqah of one sheep.
When is Aqiqah for a newborn offered?
The best time is the seventh day after birth. If that is not possible, it is the fourteenth day, and otherwise the twenty-first. If those days pass, the family may offer it later, whenever able, and the earlier the better.
Who offers the Aqiqah, and can an adult offer it for himself?
The child’s guardian, usually the father, offers the Aqiqah and pays for it from his own money. However, if no one offered it for him, a person who has reached adulthood may offer it for himself.
Conditions of Aqiqah for a newborn: the animal
Aqiqah for a newborn takes the same animals as the Eid sacrifice, with the same minimum ages. Therefore, an animal that is blind in one eye, lame, mangy, broken or emaciated does not count. In addition, the family may not sell its hide or any of its meat.
The minimum ages are:
- Camels: five years.
- Cows: two years.
- Goats: one year.
- Sheep: six months.
For more detail, our article on guidelines for Udhhiyah explains the same rules.
How is the meat of Aqiqah for a newborn shared?
Just as with the Eid sacrifice, the family eats from it, gives some as gifts and gives some in charity. Scholars only recommend dividing it into thirds or halves, so the matter is broad. For example, the owner may give all of it in charity or eat all of it, and may share the meat raw or cooked.
Aqiqah and Udhhiyah: what is the difference, and can they be combined?
Aqiqah gives thanks for a newborn, while Udhhiyah is a rite of Eid Al-Adh-ha, and each has its own reason and time. Scholars therefore differ on offering one sheep with both intentions: the school of Imam Ahmad allows it, and the Shaafi’i school does not.
The Islamweb position is not to combine them for someone who can afford both, and to allow combining them for someone who cannot afford two animals. Therefore, such a person may sacrifice one sheep that is valid as an Udhhiyah, with the intention of both.
Can I pay a charity to perform the Aqiqah?
Yes. If the payment appoints the charity to buy, slaughter and distribute the Aqiqah on your behalf, there is no harm in it. Giving its price in charity instead of slaughtering, however, does not count as Aqiqah.
Similarly, you do not have to slaughter the Aqiqah where the child was born, so you may appoint someone to offer it in another country.
How to offer Aqiqah for a newborn through Qatar Charity
Qatar Charity runs an Aqiqah project among its charity and expiation options. In other words, the organization buys the animal, slaughters it and distributes the meat to families who are entitled to support, on your behalf. In this way you revive the Sunnah for your child and bring joy to families in many countries.
Open the Qatar Charity Aqiqah page, make the intention of Aqiqah for your child, then complete your donation.
Questions and answers on Aqiqah for a newborn
What is Aqiqah in Islam?
It is the animal a family sacrifices for a newborn in thanks to God for the gift of a child. Most scholars hold that it is a confirmed Sunnah, not an obligation, so there is no sin on someone who cannot afford it.
What are the conditions of Aqiqah for a newborn?
The same as the Eid sacrifice. The animal must be free of defects such as blindness in one eye, lameness or mange. It must also reach the minimum age: six months for sheep, one year for goats, two years for cows and five years for camels.
How many sheep for a boy and for a girl?
The Sunnah is two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. If a parent can only afford one sheep for a boy, it is sufficient.
When is the Aqiqah for a boy offered?
On the seventh day after birth. If that is not possible, on the fourteenth or twenty-first day, and after that whenever the family is able. Offering it early is better.
Can a charity perform the Aqiqah on my behalf?
Yes, if you appoint it to buy, slaughter and distribute the animal for you, even in another country. Giving the price in charity instead of slaughtering does not count as Aqiqah.
