QUESTION:
As Salaamu Aalaikum,
I wanted to ask a question regarding a baby’s Aqeeqah. I know it’s supposed to be done on the 7th day. However, if the parents can’t do it on the 7th day, how long after do they have? If the Aqeeqah is not done on the baby’s 7th day, do I still have to shave its head on the 7th day?
When I weigh the hair what charity’s can I give it too?
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
Based on the Ahadith, it is Mustahab to do a baby’s Aqeeqah on the 7th day, and this is what the majority of scholars have ruled. (Abu Dawood Hadith NO. 2837; Tirmidhi Hadith No. 1522; Tuhfa Al Maudud pg. 43 Maktaba Tawfiqiyah).
However, if one cannot do it on the 7th, then one can do it on the 14th day, if not, then on the 21st day (Ila As Sunan Vol. 17 page 118 Idara Al Quran Karachi).
If the 21st day after the birth of the child has passed and it was not done, then scholars have allowed it to be done after, even if one is grown up.
In this regard, the great Tabi’ee scholar, Hasan Al Basri (A.R) has stated, ‘If an Aqeeqah was not done on your behalf, then you can do it for yourself even though you are an adult’. (Ila As Sunan Vol 17 page 121 Idara Karachi).
The scholars have also stated ‘One should not delay in doing the Aqeeqah of the child on the 7th day. (If it could not be done in the commendable time), then one should not delay it to a time when the child has reached the age of puberty. If one delays it to this age, then the responsibility of doing it for the minor falls off from those who were supposed to do it. However, if the person whose Aqeeqah was not done wants to do it for him/her self after reaching the age of puberty, then he/she can do it. (Fath Al Baari Vol. 9 page 74 Qadeemi Karachi)
If the Aqeeqah is not done on the baby’s 7th day, then you should still shave the head of the baby on that day (the 7th day).
The reason for this is that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) instructed that three things be done for the baby on the 7th day. Regarding this, he said, ‘A child is pledged to his Aqeeqah. An animal must be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, he is given a name and his head is shaved’ (At Tirmidhi Hadith No 1522).
Based on this, if an animal cannot be slaughtered on behalf of the baby on the 7th day, then one must still shave the head and also put a good name for the child.
Whatever the hair weighs, then that amount in silver must be given in charity to the poor and needy Muslims.
It is evident in traditions that upon the birth of the grandson of the Prophet (S.A.W), Hasan (R.A), the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) slaughtered an animal on his behalf and said to his daughter, ‘O Fatimah! Shave the hair of his head and give silver equal in weight to the hair in charity’ (At Tirmidhi Hadith No. 1439).
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
5/12/2023