What is the ruling on offering an aqiqah?

Aqiqah in Arabic literally means “the hair of a newborn child.” In Islamic law, it refers to the sacrifice offered to Allah as a gesture of gratitude upon the birth of a child.

There are narrations that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sacrificed one sheep each for Hasan and Husayn[1]. There are also hadiths stating that two sheep are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl[2]. Based on these reports, some scholars consider aqiqah to be a Sunnah.

According to the Hanafi school, the ruling on aqiqah is mubah (permissible, i.e., it is up to the individual to do it or not). This is because this type of sacrifice was practiced in the early days of Islam, but its obligation was abrogated by the Eid al-Adha sacrifice. This is supported by narrations from Aisha and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them):

نسخت الأضحية كل دم كان قبلها

“The Eid sacrifice abrogated all previous forms of sacrifice” [3]. Aqiqah and atira[4] were practiced before the Eid sacrifice. Also, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about aqiqah, he replied:

إن الله (تعالى) لا يحب العقوق من شاء فليعق عن الغلام شاتين و عن الجارية شاة

“Indeed, Allah does not like disobedience to parents or ‘aq’ (cutting ties). Whoever wishes may offer aqiqah: two sheep for a boy and one for a girl” [5].

This hadith indicates that aqiqah is not obligatory or Sunnah, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left it to personal choice. Therefore, it is considered mubah[6]. This view is supported by scholars such as Imam Tahawi and Ibn Abidin[7].

In summary, offering an aqiqah sacrifice is mubah (permissible). If possible, one sheep is sacrificed for a girl and two for a boy. Aqiqah can be performed any time from the seventh day after birth until the child reaches puberty. The person offering the aqiqah may eat from the meat or invite others to share in the meal.

Askar Darkhanbayev,

Deputy Imam of the “Omar ibn al-Khattab”

Mosque in Almaty

• [1] Abu Dawud, 3/261-262.

• [2] Tirmidhi 1516, Nasa’i 4217.

• [3] Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kibar, 9/439. Al-Hindi, Kanz al-Ummal, 5/860. No. 14564.

• [4] In the pre-Islamic era, when a person’s camel or sheep gave birth, they would slaughter their firstborn and eat it themselves, also feeding others. This animal was called atira.

• [5] Ahmad, 2/182-194. Abu Dawud, 3/262, No. 2842. Nasa’i, 7/162-163.

• [6] Kasani, Bada’i al-Sana’i, 6/298.

• [7] Tahawi, Mukhtasar al-Tahawi, 299. Ibn Abidin, Al-Ghuquq al-Dariya, 2/212. Also Radd al-Muhtar, 6/650.