AQEEQAH FOR A NEW BORN
As salaam Alaikum,
QUESTION:
The question is here that what IS aqeeqah and its nisaab? What about its meat? Where we should divide it?? Clarify it completely.
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
ANSWER:
Aqeeqah refers to the animal which is slaughtered on the occasion of the birth of a child. About this, the Prophet (S.A.S) is reported to have said, ‘Every child is pledged to its ‘Aqeeqah’ which should be slaughtered on its behalf on the 7th day. The child should be given a name and the head shaved on this day’. (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi).
The Aqeeqah on behalf of a boy is two goats (or sheep), and for a girl is one goat (or sheep). According to the Ahadith, it is Sunnah/Mustahab to do a child’s Aqeeqah on the seventh day. If it is not done on the 7th day, then it can be done on the 14th or 21st day. (Qamoos Al Fiqh Vol. 4 page 410 Zam Zam Publishers Karachi 2007).
According to many scholars, Aqeeqah is regarded to be ‘Sunnah” and some have stated that it is Mustabab (commendable). It is not wajib or Fardh. As such, there is no specific nisaab for it. This means that as long as a person has the means to do an ‘Aqeeqah’ for his child, he should do so. If he does not do it, whether he has the means to do it or not, there will be no sin or blame upon him. (Kitab An Nawazil Vol. 14 page 675 Darul Isha’at Karachi 2016).
With respect to the meat of the animal, this can be divided in the same manner as the Qurbani meat. People of the household can eat from it, and it can be given to friends, relatives and poor/needy people. One can even cook it and feed others. (Kitabul Fatawa Vol. 4 page 172 Zam Zam Publishers Karachi 2008).
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
02/12/2021