Aqeeqah is the charity we perform for the well-being and prosperity of our children in this world and the Hereafter. This is a Sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) performed ‘Aqeeqah’ for both of his grandsons, Imam Hasan (RA) and Imam Husayn (RA).
Guidelines for Aqeeqah:
- Count: Upon the birth of a child, two goats/sheep should be sacrificed for a baby boy and one goat/sheep for a baby girl.
- Age of the Animal: Just like Qurbani (Udhiyah), the animal chosen for Aqeeqah must have completed one year of age.
- Distribution of Meat: The meat should be divided into three equal parts:
- For oneself (the family)
- For relatives
- For the poor and needy (miskeen)
Note on Consuming the Meat: Parents can absolutely eat the Aqeeqah meat. There is nothing wrong with it. One should avoid unnecessary doubts like, “How can we eat the Aqeeqah given for our own child?” It can be consumed just like Qurbani meat.
Timeline and Method:
- Timing: Aqeeqah should ideally be performed on the 7th day after the child’s birth. If that is missed, it should be done as soon as possible without further delay.
- Source of Income: The Aqeeqah must be fulfilled only using Halal (lawful) money.
- Multiple Children: Those who have more than one child do not need to perform it all at once if they cannot afford to; they can fulfill it for each child gradually over time.
- Serving Food: Cooking meals with the Aqeeqah meat and serving them to the poor and needy is an excellent form of charity.
- Niyyah (Intention) and Slaughter: One should make the intention: “O Allah! I offer this animal as Aqeeqah for the well-being of my child’s life in this world and the Hereafter,” and slaughter the animal by saying “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest).
- The Animal Skin: The skin of the animal, or the money obtained by selling it, must be given away in charity.
Performing Aqeeqah is a Sunnah (a highly recommended prophetic tradition).
