Aqeeqah(Aqiqah) is a specific type of Qurbani (sacrifice) in Islam, which is performed for a newborn child. It is an act of thanksgiving to Allah for the blessing of the newborn and is considered a Sunnah (recommended practice) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Aqeeqah is not compulsory but is highly emphasized in Islam.
The Aqeeqah involves the slaughtering of one or two animals, typically sheep or goats, after a child is born. The sacrifice should be performed on the seventh day after the child’s birth, but if it is not possible on the seventh day, it can be done on the fourteenth, twenty-first, or any other day after that.
For a baby boy, two animals (preferably sheep or goats) are sacrificed, while for a baby girl, one animal is sacrificed. A portion of the meat is distributed to the poor and needy, while the rest can be shared with family and friends during a celebratory meal.
Animal Eligibility Rules for Sacrifice of Aqiqah
- Permissible Animals: Acceptable animals include sheep, goats, cows, and camels.
- Minimum Age: Sheep must be at least six months old. Goats must be at least one year old. Cows require a minimum age of two years. Camels must be at least five years old.
- Health Standards: The animal must be entirely healthy and free from physical defects. It cannot be blind, visibly sick, lame, or missing the majority of an ear or horn.
Islamic Aqiqah Slaughter Process
- Preparation: The animal should be treated gently and laid on its left side facing the Qiblah.
- Tool Requirement: A very sharp knife must be used to ensure a swift cut and minimize pain.
- Invocation: The person performing the sacrifice must say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” right before making the cut.
- The Cut: A single, continuous stroke must sever the windpipe, esophagus, and both jugular veins. The spinal cord must remain completely intact until the animal passes away naturally.
Aqiqah Specific Conditions
- Clear Intention: The person slaughtering or commissioning the sacrifice must hold a clear intention (Niyyah) that the animal is for the Aqiqah of a specific child.
- Bone Preservation: It is a strong tradition to cut the meat at the joints and actively avoid breaking the animal’s bones.
The Aqeeqah also involves other important practices, such as giving the baby a name, performing Tahnik (softening a date or other sweet and rubbing it on the baby’s palate), and shaving the baby’s head. The weight of the baby’s shaved hair is often given in silver or another form of charity to the poor.
It is important to note that the Aqeeqah is different from other forms of Qurbani, such as the Udhiyah, which is performed during the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. The Aqeeqah is specifically performed for a newborn child, while the Udhiyah commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH).
The Islamic rules of Aqiqah for a newborn can seem complicated. You may be a first-time parent and want to perform Aqiqah and are unfamiliar with its rules, but don’t worry. We at Islamic Donate Charity are here to help. We are experts in performing Aqiqah for sacrifices and have been meticulously following its rules for over a decade, performing the sacrifice and distributing its meat to the needy. You can perform your Aqiqah for your newborn in a completely halal manner from here by donating cryptocurrency.
