What is an ‘Aqeeqah’?

The ‘Aqeeqah’ is a means of expressing gratitude to Allah (swt).

The birth of a child is a cause for great celebration. In Islam, certain etiquettes and rituals from the authentic traditions of the Prophet (saw) are recommended as a family welcomes a newborn child into the world.

These include:

• choosing a pleasant name for the newborn
• reciting the ‘Adhan’ in the baby’s right ear
• reciting the ‘Iqamah’ in the left ear
• doing ‘Tahnik’ – inserting something sweet such as a chewed
• date into the baby’s mouth
• having the newborn’s head and
• doing ‘Aqeeqah’

What does an ‘Aqeeqah’ involve?

The ‘Aqeeqah’ is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet (saw)
It involves slaughtering a goat or sheep and sharing its meat with friends and family on the occasion of welcoming a newborn child. The Prophet (saw) and his Companions (ra) used to perform it.

The Prophet (saw) said:
‘Every child is in pledge for his ‘Aqeeqah’.

Although it is not obligatory, it contains many benefits and we are encouraged to perform it.

The ‘Aqeeqah’

is a means of expressing gratitude to Allah (swt) for the blessing of having a child
brings a child close to Allah (swt) soon after entering this world
resembles the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (as) instead of Ismail (as)
is a cause for feeding friends and family as a celebration of the newborn child
reminds people that children have rights in Islam

The Prophet (saw) said:
“Slaughter two comparable sheep for a male newborn and one sheep for a female”.

If a person cannot afford to slaughter two for a male newborn, it is acceptable to slaughter one.

When to do the ‘Aqeeqah’?

There is some flexibility. It is recommended to offer the ‘Aqeeqah’ on the seventh, fourteenth or twenty-first day after birth. If this is not possible, it can be done on any day until the age of puberty.

• A Single Goat Aqeeqah costs $160