The arrival of a baby is one of the most meaningful moments in a Muslim family's life. Along with choosing a name and welcoming the newborn, parents often begin learning about Aqiqah and how this Sunnah is practiced in Islam.
Aqiqah, also written as Aqeeqah or Akeeqah, is the sacrifice performed in connection with the birth of a child. It is an established practice in Islamic tradition and is associated with gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a newborn.
For new parents, however, questions are common. When should Aqiqah be performed? How many animals are needed? Can parents eat the meat? What if the family cannot arrange it on the seventh day?
This guide explains the basics in a simple and practical way.
Aqiqah is a sacrifice performed for a newborn child as part of the Sunnah.
It is connected with the birth of a child and is traditionally performed on the seventh day after birth. The hadith also mentions naming the child and shaving the child's head on that day.
Aqiqah is not simply a family meal or a cultural celebration. For Muslim families, it is an act connected with following the Sunnah and expressing gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a child.
The birth of a child brings happiness, responsibility, and gratitude.
Aqiqah gives parents an opportunity to observe an established Sunnah while sharing the blessing of the newborn with family members, relatives, friends, and people who may be in need.
The intention should be sincere. Families should focus on following the Sunnah rather than turning Aqiqah into a competition over the size of a gathering, the amount of food, or the cost of an event.
The seventh day after the child's birth is specifically mentioned in the hadith concerning Aqiqah.
This is why many Muslim families aim to perform the Aqiqah on the seventh day.
However, families may face practical difficulties. The baby may be born while parents are travelling, relatives may live in another city or country, or the family may not be financially ready at that time.
There are different scholarly opinions regarding performing Aqiqah after the seventh day. Families with a specific situation can consult a qualified Islamic scholar for guidance.
The commonly cited Sunnah is
- Two sheep or goats for a baby boy
- One sheep or goat for a baby girl
The animals should meet the relevant requirements for a valid sacrifice.
Families should also make sure that the sacrifice is handled through a trustworthy and responsible service if they are arranging Aqiqah remotely.
## Can Parents Eat Aqiqah Meat?
Yes, parents can eat from the meat of their child's Aqiqah.
There is no general rule requiring the mother and father to give away all of the meat.
The family can enjoy the meal themselves and share portions with relatives, friends, neighbors, and people in need.
This makes Aqiqah both an act of worship and an opportunity to share the blessing of the newborn.
Yes.
Families can distribute Aqiqah meat to people who may benefit from it.
Depending on the family's circumstances and local needs, the meat may be shared among relatives, neighbors, friends, and people facing financial difficulty.
There is no need to make the distribution complicated. The important thing is that the family observes the Sunnah and allows others to benefit from the blessing.
There is a difference of opinion among Islamic scholars regarding the legal status of Aqiqah.
Many scholars consider it a strongly recommended Sunnah rather than an obligatory act.
This distinction is important for families who are worried that they have committed a sin simply because they could not afford Aqiqah.
Islamic worship should not become a source of unnecessary financial hardship. Families who are unable to afford it should not place themselves under unreasonable pressure.
For detailed fiqh questions, Muslims should consult a qualified scholar they trust.
Today, many Muslim families live away from their hometowns or even outside Pakistan.
Parents may be living in Karachi while relatives are in another city. Others may be living in the UK, USA, Canada, UAE, or another country while their families remain in Pakistan.
An online Aqiqah service can make the practical arrangements easier.
Instead of travelling to Pakistan or managing the sacrifice themselves, overseas families can arrange Aqiqah in Pakistan through a reliable service, depending on the available location and package.
A newborn's Aqiqah does not need to become an expensive social event.
The heart of the practice is the sacrifice and following the Sunnah.
A simple family meal can be enough. The meat can be shared with relatives or people in need. Families can keep the occasion meaningful without feeling pressured to spend beyond their means.
For Muslim parents living abroad, arranging Aqiqah in Pakistan can be particularly useful when they want the meat to reach relatives or people in need there.
An online service can allow parents to arrange the process remotely while staying in contact with the service provider.
Before booking, families should check what is included, how the sacrifice is handled, what proof is provided, and how the meat is distributed.
Aqiqah is an established Sunnah connected with the birth of a child.
For parents, it can be a beautiful way to express gratitude to Allah, follow the Sunnah, and share the blessing of their newborn with others.
Whether a family is arranging Aqeeqah locally in Karachi or from overseas, the focus should remain on observing the practice properly and choosing a trustworthy arrangement.
For specific religious questions, especially those involving different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, it is best to consult a qualified Islamic scholar.