Identity and rules of children’s aqeeqah
Our Islam Desk: What is Akika and what is his command? Is there a fixed time for aqeeqah? What is the rule of aqeeqah? Can you collect your aqeeqah yourself or must it be collected by the father? Akika’s meat parents and relatives can eat?
The Islamic answer to these questions is that slaughtering an animal on the seventh day after the birth of a child in order to thank Allah Ta’ala is called aqeeqah. It is mustahab to perform aqeeqah. Aqeeqah is encouraged in Hadith Sharif.
When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was asked about Aqeeqah, he said, ‘He who wishes to perform Aqeeqah for his child should perform it. Two goats of equal value for the son. And one for the girl. (Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Hadith: 7961)
In another hadith, Rasul SAW. He said, there is a provision of Akika with the child. Let the blood flow from him (i.e. slaughter the animal) and remove the painful matter (hair) from the body of the child. (Bukhari, Hadith: 5472)
It is better to perform aqeeqah on the seventh day after childbirth
Rasul His son Hasan and Husayn performed the aqeeqah on the seventh day. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith: 2834)
Also in a hadith of Jame Tirmidhi (Hadith: 1522) it is mentioned to perform aqeeqah on the seventh day. So if possible it is better to do aqeeqah on the seventh day itself.
If it is not possible on the seventh day, it is better to do it on the fourteenth day or on the twenty-first day. Ummul Mumineen Ayesha. Said, ‘Aqeeqah should be on the seventh day. If that is not possible then on the fourteenth day. If that is not possible then on the twenty first day. (Hakim in Mustadra, Hadith 7669)
If aqeeqah is not performed within twenty one days, it can be recovered later. It is the father’s responsibility to raise the child. Of course, it is permissible for someone else or yourself to do your own aqeeqah.
The parents and relatives of the child can eat the meat
Ayesha. It is narrated that he said, “Aqeeqah will eat the meat himself, feed others and give some charity. (Hakim in Mustadra, Hadith: 7669)
Sufyan Ibn Uyaina Rah. Said, I heard Ata say, ‘…his family can eat Aqiqa’s meat and give it as a gift. ‘ I asked, should it be given in charity? ‘He said, no, you can eat and give gifts if you want.’ (Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Hadith: 7969)
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