What is an Aqiqah Sacrifice? When is it Performed? Religious Ruling and All the Details.
What is an Aqiqah Sacrifice? Religious Ruling, When is it Performed, and All Frequently Asked Questions.
Having children is one of the greatest blessings Allah bestows upon His servants. Parents perform the Aqiqah sacrifice to express gratitude for this great blessing, to pray for their children, and to fulfill the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
However, there is much misinformation about this act of worship in society. Especially because it is referred to by different names such as "Aqiq sacrifice," "Aqiqah vow sacrifice," "baby sacrifice," and "newborn sacrifice," people have difficulty accessing accurate information.
In fact, the correct form of the commonly used term "Aqiq sacrifice" is "Aqiqah sacrifice," or in its Arabic spelling, **"Aqiqah sacrifice."**
In this article, we answer all the most frequently asked questions about the Aqiqah sacrifice in light of the Quran, Sunnah, and reliable sources of Islamic jurisprudence.
What is the Aqiqah Sacrifice?
The Aqiqah sacrifice is... Aqiqah is a sacrifice offered to thank God for a newborn child.
This act of worship is one of the beautiful Sunnahs practiced by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and recommended to his followers.
The Aqiqah sacrifice aims to:
Thank God for the blessing of a child,Pray for the child to have a blessed life,Bring joy to the poor,Share with relatives,Keep the Sunnah of our Prophet alive.
Is it Correct to Call it "Aqiq Sacrifice" Among the People?
Many people in Turkey know this act of worship as "Aqiq Sacrifice."
However, the correct name in Islamic sources is Aqiqah (Aqiqah) Sacrifice.
The expression "Aqiq Sacrifice" is a commonly used pronunciation among the people.
Therefore, on the internet;
Searches such as "Aqiq Sacrifice", "What is Aqiq Sacrifice?", and "How is Aqiq Sacrifice Performed?" are all related to Aqiqah Sacrifice.
What is the Religious Ruling on Aqiqah Sacrifice?
According to the vast majority of Islamic scholars, Aqiqah Sacrifice is a confirmed Sunnah (recommended practice).
That is, it is among the acts of worship that are strongly recommended.
In the Hanafi school of thought, it is not obligatory (wajib).
However, many scholars of the Shafi'i, Hanbali, and Maliki schools consider it a confirmed Sunnah (sunnah muakkadah).
Those who cannot perform the sacrifice are not considered sinful; however, it is recommended that Muslims who have the means perform this beautiful Sunnah.
What is the Basis for Aqiqah Sacrifice?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Every child is held hostage for his Aqiqah. On the seventh day, a sacrifice is performed in his name, his hair is shaved, and he is given a name.”
(Tirmidhi, Adahi, 21; Abu Dawud, Adahi, 20; Nasai, Aqiqah, 5)
Another hadith states:
“Two sheep of equal size are sacrificed for a male child, and one sheep for a female child.”
(Abu Dawud, Adahi, 21; Tirmidhi, Adahi, 17)
When is the Aqiqah Sacrifice Performed?
The most virtuous time for the Aqiqah sacrifice is the seventh day after the baby's birth.
However, if it cannot be performed on the seventh day;
the fourteenth day,
the twenty-first day,
or on later days, it can also be performed.
Even after the child has grown up, the Aqiqah sacrifice can be performed on behalf of the parents.
According to some scholars, if a person did not have an Aqiqah sacrifice performed on their behalf during childhood, they can have one performed later in life.
How Many Sacrifices Are Performed for a Boy and a Girl?
According to the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
two sheep for a boy,
one sheep for a girl,
is recommended.
However, families with limited financial means can perform a single sacrifice for a boy. Many Islamic scholars have stated that this is sufficient.
Can a Large Animal Be Used for the Aqiqah Sacrifice?
Yes.
Just like the obligatory sacrifice, a large animal can be used as an Aqiqah sacrifice.
A large animal can be shared among up to seven people, or all shares can be offered with the intention of performing the Aqiqah sacrifice.
However, the intentions of the partners must be for the purpose of worship.
How is the Meat of the Aqiqah Sacrifice Used?
The meat of the Aqiqah sacrifice;
It can be eaten by the family,
offered to relatives,
shared with neighbors,
distributed to those in need.
It is not obligatory to donate all of the Aqiqah sacrifice meat.
For Whom is the Aqiqah Sacrifice Performed?
The Aqiqah sacrifice is performed for:
newborn girls,
newborn boys,
biological children who are not adopted.
This sacrifice can be performed by the mother or father.
It doesn't matter who covers the expenses.
Can a Proxy be Given for the Aqiqah Sacrifice?
Yes.
Today, many families have their Aqiqah sacrifice performed by reliable sacrifice organizations through proxy.
The Aqiqah sacrifice performed through proxy is also religiously valid.
The important thing is that the slaughter is carried out in accordance with Islamic procedures.
Are Aqiqah Sacrifice and Votive Sacrifice the Same?
No.
The Aqiqah sacrifice and the Votive sacrifice are completely different acts of worship.
A Votive sacrifice is offered to fulfill a promise made to God.
The Aqiqah sacrifice, on the other hand, is a Sunnah sacrifice offered to express gratitude to God for a newborn child.
These two sacrifices are not interchangeable.
Are the Aqiqah sacrifice and the Obligatory sacrifice the same?
No.
The obligatory sacrifice offered during Eid al-Adha and the Aqiqah sacrifice are different acts of worship.
The obligatory sacrifice is obligatory for Muslims who meet certain conditions according to the Hanafi school of thought.
The Aqiqah sacrifice, however, is a Sunnah and is offered as a token of gratitude for the blessing of a child.
However, there is much misinformation about this act of worship in society. Especially because it is referred to by different names such as "Aqiq sacrifice," "Aqiqah vow sacrifice," "baby sacrifice," and "newborn sacrifice," people have difficulty accessing accurate information.
In fact, the correct form of the commonly used term "Aqiq sacrifice" is "Aqiqah sacrifice," or in its Arabic spelling, **"Aqiqah sacrifice."**
In this article, we answer all the most frequently asked questions about the Aqiqah sacrifice in light of the Quran, Sunnah, and reliable sources of Islamic jurisprudence.
What is the Aqiqah Sacrifice?
The Aqiqah sacrifice is... Aqiqah is a sacrifice offered to thank God for a newborn child.
This act of worship is one of the beautiful Sunnahs practiced by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and recommended to his followers.
The Aqiqah sacrifice aims to:
Thank God for the blessing of a child,Pray for the child to have a blessed life,Bring joy to the poor,Share with relatives,Keep the Sunnah of our Prophet alive.
Is it Correct to Call it "Aqiq Sacrifice" Among the People?
Many people in Turkey know this act of worship as "Aqiq Sacrifice."
However, the correct name in Islamic sources is Aqiqah (Aqiqah) Sacrifice.
The expression "Aqiq Sacrifice" is a commonly used pronunciation among the people.
Therefore, on the internet;
Searches such as "Aqiq Sacrifice", "What is Aqiq Sacrifice?", and "How is Aqiq Sacrifice Performed?" are all related to Aqiqah Sacrifice.
What is the Religious Ruling on Aqiqah Sacrifice?
According to the vast majority of Islamic scholars, Aqiqah Sacrifice is a confirmed Sunnah (recommended practice).
That is, it is among the acts of worship that are strongly recommended.
In the Hanafi school of thought, it is not obligatory (wajib).
However, many scholars of the Shafi'i, Hanbali, and Maliki schools consider it a confirmed Sunnah (sunnah muakkadah).
Those who cannot perform the sacrifice are not considered sinful; however, it is recommended that Muslims who have the means perform this beautiful Sunnah.
What is the Basis for Aqiqah Sacrifice?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Every child is held hostage for his Aqiqah. On the seventh day, a sacrifice is performed in his name, his hair is shaved, and he is given a name.”
(Tirmidhi, Adahi, 21; Abu Dawud, Adahi, 20; Nasai, Aqiqah, 5)
Another hadith states:
“Two sheep of equal size are sacrificed for a male child, and one sheep for a female child.”
(Abu Dawud, Adahi, 21; Tirmidhi, Adahi, 17)
When is the Aqiqah Sacrifice Performed?
The most virtuous time for the Aqiqah sacrifice is the seventh day after the baby's birth.
However, if it cannot be performed on the seventh day;
the fourteenth day,
the twenty-first day,
or on later days, it can also be performed.
Even after the child has grown up, the Aqiqah sacrifice can be performed on behalf of the parents.
According to some scholars, if a person did not have an Aqiqah sacrifice performed on their behalf during childhood, they can have one performed later in life.
How Many Sacrifices Are Performed for a Boy and a Girl?
According to the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
two sheep for a boy,
one sheep for a girl,
is recommended.
However, families with limited financial means can perform a single sacrifice for a boy. Many Islamic scholars have stated that this is sufficient.
Can a Large Animal Be Used for the Aqiqah Sacrifice?
Yes.
Just like the obligatory sacrifice, a large animal can be used as an Aqiqah sacrifice.
A large animal can be shared among up to seven people, or all shares can be offered with the intention of performing the Aqiqah sacrifice.
However, the intentions of the partners must be for the purpose of worship.
How is the Meat of the Aqiqah Sacrifice Used?
The meat of the Aqiqah sacrifice;
It can be eaten by the family,
offered to relatives,
shared with neighbors,
distributed to those in need.
It is not obligatory to donate all of the Aqiqah sacrifice meat.
For Whom is the Aqiqah Sacrifice Performed?
The Aqiqah sacrifice is performed for:
newborn girls,
newborn boys,
biological children who are not adopted.
This sacrifice can be performed by the mother or father.
It doesn't matter who covers the expenses.
Can a Proxy be Given for the Aqiqah Sacrifice?
Yes.
Today, many families have their Aqiqah sacrifice performed by reliable sacrifice organizations through proxy.
The Aqiqah sacrifice performed through proxy is also religiously valid.
The important thing is that the slaughter is carried out in accordance with Islamic procedures.
Are Aqiqah Sacrifice and Votive Sacrifice the Same?
No.
The Aqiqah sacrifice and the Votive sacrifice are completely different acts of worship.
A Votive sacrifice is offered to fulfill a promise made to God.
The Aqiqah sacrifice, on the other hand, is a Sunnah sacrifice offered to express gratitude to God for a newborn child.
These two sacrifices are not interchangeable.
Are the Aqiqah sacrifice and the Obligatory sacrifice the same?
No.
The obligatory sacrifice offered during Eid al-Adha and the Aqiqah sacrifice are different acts of worship.
The obligatory sacrifice is obligatory for Muslims who meet certain conditions according to the Hanafi school of thought.
The Aqiqah sacrifice, however, is a Sunnah and is offered as a token of gratitude for the blessing of a child.