Aqiqah in Islam: Rules, Method, Dua & Meat Distribution
Aqiqah in Islam is the sacrifice of an animal on behalf of a newborn child as thanks to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said that every child is held in pledge for its aqiqah, which is sacrificed on the seventh day, the child is named, and its head is shaved. On this page you can read what aqiqah is, its ruling, when and how to do it, how many animals are required for a boy and a girl, aqiqah ki dua in Arabic, Hindi and Urdu, and how to distribute the meat.
What Is Aqiqah?
Aqiqah (also written akika or hakika) comes from the Arabic word for the hair a baby is born with. It is the Sunnah of slaughtering a goat or sheep for a newborn, shaving the baby’s head, and giving the weight of the hair in silver as charity. It expresses gratitude for the child and brings the family and the poor together over a meal.
Aqiqah in Hadith
Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: every boy is in pledge for his aqiqah; it is slaughtered for him on the seventh day, he is named, and his head is shaved. (Sunan Abu Dawud: 2838; Jami at-Tirmidhi: 1522)
Umm Kurz (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: for a boy, two sheep that are alike, and for a girl, one sheep. (Sunan Abu Dawud: 2834; Jami at-Tirmidhi: 1516)
The Prophet ﷺ himself performed the aqiqah of his grandsons Hasan and Husain (may Allah be pleased with them). (Sunan Abu Dawud: 2841)
Is Aqiqah Fard or Sunnah?
Aqiqah is not fard. In the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali schools it is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah muakkadah). In the Hanafi school it is regarded as recommended (mustahab). No school considers it obligatory, so a family that cannot afford it is not sinful for leaving it, and may do it later when they are able.
Aqiqah for Boy and Girl: How Many Animals?
| Boy | Girl | |
|---|---|---|
| Goats or sheep | Two | One |
| If only one is possible | One goat is also valid for a boy | One |
| Large animal (cow, camel) | Permitted in the Hanafi school; one share of seven counts for one goat. Some scholars prefer a goat or sheep as in the Sunnah. | |
The animal should meet the same conditions as a qurbani animal: a goat or sheep at least one year old (a six-month sheep that looks a year old is also accepted), healthy, and free of defects such as blindness, severe lameness, or a cut ear.
When Should Aqiqah Be Done?
- The seventh day after birth is the Sunnah. The day of birth is counted as the first day, so a child born on Friday has aqiqah on the following Thursday.
- If missed, many scholars recommend the fourteenth or twenty-first day, based on a narration in Al-Bayhaqi.
- Any time afterwards is still valid. Aqiqah may be done at any age, and some scholars allow a person to do their own aqiqah as an adult if it was never done for them.
Aqiqah Ka Tarika (How to Perform Aqiqah)
- Make the intention that this sacrifice is the aqiqah of this child, for Allah.
- Slaughter the animal saying Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, and recite the aqiqah ki dua below.
- Shave the baby’s head on the same day. Weigh the hair and give its weight in silver, or its value in money, to the poor. If the hair is too little to weigh, give any amount of charity.
- Name the child with a good name on this day if it has not already been done.
- Cook the meat and share it with family, neighbours and the poor.
Aqiqah Ki Dua
At the time of slaughter, say:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ وَإِلَيْكَ، هَذِهِ عَقِيقَةُ فُلَانٍ
Roman English: Bismillahi wallahu akbar. Allahumma laka wa ilayk, hazihi ‘aqiqatu (child’s name).
हिंदी: बिस्मिल्लाहि वल्लाहु अकबर। अल्लाहुम्मा लका व इलैक, हाज़िही अक़ीक़तु (बच्चे का नाम)।
हिंदी तर्जुमा: अल्लाह के नाम से, और अल्लाह सबसे बड़ा है। ऐ अल्लाह, यह तेरे लिए और तेरी तरफ़ है, यह (बच्चे का नाम) का अक़ीक़ा है।
اللہ کے نام سے، اور اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے۔ اے اللہ! یہ تیرے لیے اور تیری طرف ہے، یہ (بچے کا نام) کا عقیقہ ہے۔
Translation: In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is for You and to You; this is the aqiqah of (child’s name).
This wording is reported from Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) in Al-Bayhaqi. Saying Bismillah at the slaughter is what is required; the rest is recommended. Replace “fulan” with the child’s name.
Aqiqah Ki Dua Image
How to Distribute Aqiqah Meat
There is no fixed rule. The common practice, following qurbani, is to divide the meat into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor. It is also valid to cook all of it and invite people to eat, as the companions did. The parents and family may eat from the aqiqah meat, unlike a vow sacrifice. It is recommended not to break the bones of the animal, as a good omen for the child’s health, but this is not obligatory.
Aqiqah Rules and Common Questions
Can aqiqah be done before the seventh day?
It is best on the seventh day. Doing it earlier, after birth, is accepted by many scholars but the Sunnah is the seventh day.
Can aqiqah and qurbani be combined?
If a child’s aqiqah is due in the days of Eid ul-Adha, one may slaughter a separate animal for each. Some Hanafi scholars allow a share in a cow for aqiqah alongside qurbani shares. Doing one sacrifice with two intentions is a matter of difference; ask a scholar of your school.
Can money be given instead of aqiqah?
No. Aqiqah is a sacrifice, so money alone does not replace it. If you cannot afford an animal, there is no sin, and it may be done later.
Is aqiqah done for a stillborn child?
Most scholars say aqiqah is for a child born alive. If a child dies after birth, before the seventh day, aqiqah is still recommended by many scholars.
Can aqiqah be done in another country?
Yes. You may pay a trusted organisation to perform the aqiqah on your behalf where meat is more needed. The shaving of the head and charity are done where the child is.
Which is better, goat or sheep?
Both are valid. The hadith mentions sheep; a goat is its equivalent. Choose a healthy animal without defects.
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