The Islamic Importance of Aqiqah
Welcoming a newborn into the world is a momentous occasion filled with joy and gratitude. In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) established specific traditions (Sunnahs) to bless the child, protect them from harm, and express thankfulness to Allah. The most prominent of these traditions is the Aqiqah.
What is the Aqiqah?
The term Aqiqah linguistically refers to cutting or tearing. In Islamic terminology, it refers to the sacrifice of an animal on the occasion of a child's birth. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Every child is held in pledge for his Aqiqah which is sacrificed for him on his seventh day, and he is named on it and his head is shaved." (Sunan Abi Dawud).
The Ruling and Requirements
- For a Boy: Two sheep or goats of equal age and quality.
- For a Girl: One sheep or goat.
This difference is not a matter of superiority, but rather a specific decree from the Prophet (ﷺ). The animals used for Aqiqah must meet the same health and age requirements as the animals used for Udhiyah/Qurbani during Eid al-Adha (e.g., no missing limbs, not sickly or blind).
What if I miss the 7th Day?
The highly recommended (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) time to perform the Aqiqah, shave the head, and name the child is exactly on the 7th day after birth. However, if parents are financially unable or simply miss the 7th day, the Sunnah states it can be done on the 14th day, or the 21st day. If that is also missed, it can be performed at any point in the child's life before they reach puberty. Some scholars even state a person can perform their own Aqiqah as an adult if their parents never did it for them.
The Wisdom Behind Shaving the Head & Sadaqah
Shaving the newborn's head serves both a medical and spiritual purpose. It physically removes the weak hair grown inside the womb and stimulates the growth of stronger, healthier hair. Spiritually, weighing this hair and donating its equivalent weight in silver provides immediate charity (Sadaqah) on behalf of the child, attracting Allah's mercy and averting calamities.