What is Aqiqah?

Aqiqah has a great importance in Islam. Aqiqah is Sunnah of Holly Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H to slaughter or sacrifice of a livestock when a child is born and the meat is divided to poor, friends and relatives. According to Sahi Bukhari, For the child there should be Aqiqah, on behalf of the child make sacrifice and remove the hair.

As we know Aqiqah is performed on the birther of child. The Aqiqah should be performed on the Seventh day of the birth of child. However, some religious scholars say that this can be performed on till the child has become mature and perform Aqiqah can be performed then. However, after this period performing Aqiqah is not necessary. It is irrelevant after the maturity of a kid.

Some religious scholars have given the Fatwa that Aqiqah can be performed till death. If someone after becoming an adult performs his own Aqiqah, according to some scholars it is not valid but according to some scholars it’s permissible as it is also understood form Fadhul Bari.

Aqiqah has a great importance in Islam and a duty of parents or the guardians of the child to perform it. Holly Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Sahabas companions used to perform Aqiqah when a child is newborn and usually within seven days of birth.

Benefits of Aqiqah:

There are many benefits performing Aqiqah in Islam.  

1. First benefit is the announcement of the birth of the baby.
2. Secondly, Aqiqah means and includes to thank to the Almight ALLAH the Creator.
3. Another purpose is inviting family members, neighbours, and friends to celebrate the birth of their child.

 On this occasion we should not forget to include the poor in the celebration by offering them money, food and meat.

Aqiqah is great occasion for the family of a new born baby. However, the conditions of the animals for Aqiqah are same as to the conditions for the animals in Qurbani. The animals to be slaughtered must be a sheep, goats, cows or camels. For camels, it must be older than 6 years, for cows the age must be older than 3 years and for goats, it must be older than 2 years. The animals must be healthy for Aqiqah. As animal which is handicapped or sick cannot be presented for Aqiqah.

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