Aqiqah is an Islamic term, which is defined as the animal slaughtering on the occasion of childbirth. Aqiqah is a kind of Sadqah, which is not obligatory as per some scholars.
When Aqiqah is performed?
The favored method for Aqiqah is that it should be done on the 7th day if not then the 14th or 21st after the birth of a child; however it can be exceeded from 21 days too. As per some scholars, one can perform Aqiqah until the child has become mature. Nevertheless, after this period carrying becomes Aqiqah is irrelevant.
Notwithstanding, few scholars have given the Fatwa that Aqiqah is legitimate until one dies.
The purpose of Aqiqah?
The execution of Aqiqah is highly praised in Islam. The parents or guardians of the child perform the Aqiqah. In addition, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions accustomed to perform Aqiqah when they become parents.
There are several benefits of carrying the holy ritual of Aqiqah. One is them is announcing the birth of the baby. Another motive is inviting family members, friends, and neighbors to rejoice the occasion.
Types of animals to be slaughtered
The following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) tells about which animals to be sacrificed.
Narrated Umm Kurz: The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Two sheep which resemble each other are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl. (Sunan Abu Dawood Book 15, No. 2830)
Hadiths regarding Aqiqah
“Nafi’ reported:
Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was not asked by anyone from his family to provide a newborn celebration but that he would perform it. He would perform a newborn celebration for his child by sacrificing a sheep for each boy and girl.
Malik said, ‘The matter in which there is no disagreement among us regarding the newborn celebration, is that whoever performs it does so for his child by offering a sheep for each male and female. The newborn celebration is not an obligation, but rather it is recommended to act upon it.’ ”
Source: al-Muwaṭṭa’ 2187
Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub:
“The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: A boy is in pledge for his Aqiqah. Sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and is smeared with blood.
When Qatadah was asked about smearing with blood, how that should be done, he said: When you cut the head (i.e. throat) of the animal (meant for Aqiqah), you may take a few hair of it, place them on its veins, and then place them in the middle of the head of the infant, so that the blood flows on the hair (of the infant) like a threat. Then its head may be washed and shaved off.
Abu Dawud said: In narrating the word “is smeared with blood” (yudamma) there is a misunderstanding on the part of Hammam.
Abu Dawud said: Hammam has been opposed in narrating the words “is smeared with blood.” This is a misunderstanding of Hammam. They narrated the word “he is given a name (yusamma) and Hammam narrated it “smeared with blood” (yudamma).
Abu Dawud said: This tradition is not followed.” Sunan Abu Dawood Book No:9, 2831.
Narrated Samurah b. Jundub:
“The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: Along with a boy there is an ‘aqiqah, so shed blood on his behalf, and remove injury from him.” Sunan Abu Dawood Book No:9, 2833.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As:
“The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) was asked about the aqiqah. He replied: Allah does not like the breaking of ties (uquq), as though he disliked the name. And he said: If anyone has a child born to him and wishes to offer a sacrifice on its behalf, he may offer two resembling sheep for a boy and one for a girl. And he was asked about fara’. He replied: Fara’ is right. If you leave it (i.e. let it grow till it becomes a healthy camel of one year or two years, then you give it to a widow or give it in the path of Allah for using it as a riding beast, it is better than slaughtering it at the age when its meat is stuck to its hair, and you turn over your milking vessel and annoy your she-camel.” Sunan Abu Dawood Book No:9, 2836.
Dua For Aqiqah
Just like Duas for the Khatna Circumscion ceremony, there are Duas for Aqiqah as well.
The following is recited (first that for a boy, then for a girl):
“In the Name of God and through God, this is the ‘aqīqa of…. (name of the boy), son of …. (name of the father): its flesh [i.e., the flesh of the sacrifice of the ‘aqīqa] for his flesh blood, its bone for his bone, its hair for his hair, its skin for his skin. O God, let it be a protection of the family of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family.”
Bi-’smi ’llāhi wa-bi ’llāh. Allāhumma hādhihi ‘aqīqatun ‘an ….(name of the boy)
Ibne …. (name of the father) lahmu-hābi-lahmi-hi wa-damu-hābi-dami-hi wa-‘azmu-hābi-‘azmi-hi wa-sha’ru-hā bisha’ri-hi wa-jildu-hābi-jildi-h. Allāhumma’j΄al-hā waqā’an li-āli Muhammadin ‘alay-hi wa-āli-hi s-salām.
In the Name of God and through God, this is the ‘aqīqa of…..(name of the girl), daughter of …. (name of the father): its flesh for her flesh, its blood for her blood, its bones for her bones, its hair for her hair, its skin for her skin. O God, let it be a protection of the family of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family.
Bi-’smi ’llāhi wa-bi-llāh. Allāhumma hādhihi ‘aqīqatun ‘an ….(name of the girl) Ibnati . . . (name of the father) lahmu-hābi-lahmi-hā wa-damu-hābi-dami-hāwa- ‘azmu-hābi- ‘azmi-hā wa-sha΄ru-hābi-sha΄ri-hā wa-jildu- hābi-jildi-hā. Allāhmma’ j΄al-hā waqā’an li-āli Muhammadin ‘alay-hi wa-āli-hi s-salām.
Shave the hair of the baby. It is said to weigh the cut hair of a baby in silver, an present its value to the needy or the orphans. Animals should be sacrificed either at the time of shaving or after it.
Read the following prayer at the time when the animal is about to sacrifice.
“O gathering, I am free from what you associate; I turn my face to He who split the heavens and the earth, a true believer and a Muslim, and not one of the polytheists. My prayer, my piety, my living, and my dying are for God, the Lord of the Words. O God, from You and to You, in the Name of God; God is greater. O God, bless Muhammad, and accept [this] from … (name of the child). Son/daughter of …… (name of the father).”
Yā qawmi innī barī’un mim-mā tushrikūna innī wajjahtu wajhīya li-’lladhī fatara s-samāwāti wa-l-arda hanīfam musliman, wa-mā anā mina l-mushrikīna. Inna salāt-ī wa nusuk-ī wa-mahyāyā wa-mamāt-īli-’llāhi rabbil-‘alamīna sharīka la-h.
Wa-bi dhālika umirtu wa-anā mina l-muslimīna allāhumma min-ka wa-la-kabi-’smi’llāhi wa-’llāhu akabar.
Allāhumma salli ‘alā Muhammadin wa-āli Muhammadin wa-taqabbal min…..
(name of child) ibni (for a boy) / binti (for a girl)
…. (name of father)
As per Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq recite either of the following Dua’s at the time of slaughtering the animal for Aqiqah for a boy or Aqiqah for a girl
If the child is a female recite:
“In the name of Allah and by Allah, this Aqiqah (sheep slaughtered) is of (mention the name of the child with father’s name); its flesh (instead of) his/her flesh, its blood (instead of) his/her blood, its bones, (instead of) his/her bones (are offered) to You. O Allah, (accept it) as that by which (this child) may be protected and preserved, in the name of the children of Muhammad, blessings of Allah be on him and on his children, and peace.”
“In the name of Allah, by Allah, praise be to Allah, Allah is the greatest, faith is in Allah, thanks to the messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children) for safeguarding His command, gratitude for His sustenance, and awareness of us Ahl ul Bayt (our merits) by His grace.”
If the child is male, recite the following:
“O Allah, verily You have given us a son. You alone know what You have given and what has been granted, and (You alone know everything about) whatever You create. So accept (our offering offered) in accordance with Your command and the traditions of Your prophet and messenger (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children), and keep away the accursed Shaytan from us. This blood is pouring out for Your sake only (a.s.) there is no partner to share (it) with You, O my Allah, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O my Allah, this meat (instead of) his meat, this blood (instead of) his blood, these bones (instead of) his bones., this hair (instead of) his hair, this skin (instead of) his skin (are offered to You), so O my Allah, accept this (sacrifice) instead of the sacrifice of (mention the name of the child.”
BISMILLAAHI WA BILLAAHI ALLAAHUMMA HAAD’IHEE A’QEEQATUN A’N (mention the name of the child with father’s name) LAH’MUHAA BILAH’MIHEE (BILAH’MIHAA) WA DAMUHAA BIDAMIHEE (BIDAMIHAA) WA A’Z’MUHAA BI-A’Z’MIHEE (BIA’Z’MIHAA) ALLAAHUMMAJ-A’LHAA WIQAA -AN LAHOO (LAHAA) BI-AALI MUH’AMMADIN S’ALLALLAAHU A’LAYHI WA AALIHEE WA SALLAM
BISMILLAAHI WA BILLAAHI WALH’AMDU LILLAAHI WALLAAHU AKBAR EEMAANAN BILLAAHI WA THANAA-AN A’LAA RASOOLILLAAHI S’ALLALLAAHU A’LAYHI WA AALIHEE WAL A’S’MATU LI-AMRIHEE WASH SHUKRU LIRIZQIHEE WAL MA-RIFATU BIFAZ LIHEE A’LAYNAA AHLIL BAYTI
ALLAAHUMMA INNKA WAHABTA LANAA D’AKARAN WA ANTA A’-LAMU BIMAA WAHABTA WA MINKA MAA A’T’AYTA WA KULLAMAA S’ANA -TA FATAQABBAALHU MINAA A’LAA SUNNATIKA WA SUNNATI NABIYYIKA WA RASOOLIKA S’ALLALLAAHU A’LAYHI WA AALIHEE WAKH-SA A’NNASH SHAYT’AANAR RAJEEMA LAKA SAFAKTUD DIMAA-A LAA SHAREEKA LAKA ALLAAHUMMA WAL H’AMDU LILLAAHI RABBIL A’ALAMEEN ALLAAHUMMA LAH’MUHAA BILAH’MIHEE WA DAMUHAA BIDAMIHEE WA A’Z’MUHAA BI-A’Z’MIHEE WA SHA’RUHAA BISHA – RIHEE WA JILDUHAA BIJILDIHEE ALLAAHUMMAJ-A’LHU FIDAA-AN
Courtesy: (Duas.org)
In a nutshell, Aqiqah has a significant place in the religion of peace, Islam. WIth certain conditions, one can perform Aqiqah. However, those who cannot due to any reason can perform it at later stages of life, as said by some scholars. However, some scholars say Aqiqah is only performed until one reaches puberty.
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