Paying the value of the 'Aqiqah
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The fourth question of Fatwa No. ( 21717 )
Q4: Allah has blessed me with a second child, and because I will be taking a leave of absence to Egypt soon, I decided to perform the 'Aqiqah in the country. Is it permissible to pay its value in cash to the poor and needy, or to distribute its value as raw meat to the poor, relatives, and friends? Is it permissible to prepare part of it raw and part cooked; that is, the cooked for the household and the raw for the poor, along with distributing other items necessary for cooking, and this is due to the inability to cook kabsa at home? Also, is there a specific age for the 'Aqiqah animal, whether sheep or a small cow?
A4: The 'Aqiqah is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah) for the father: two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. Paying its value in money is not sufficient in its place, because that contradicts the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions after him (may Allah be pleased with them). There is no harm in distributing the meat of the 'Aqiqah raw to the poor, or making part of it cooked for his family, neighbors, and friends, and the other part raw to be distributed to the poor. The recommended practice (sunnah) for the 'Aqiqah, as with the 'Id sacrifice, is to divide it into three parts: eat one third, give one third as a gift, and give one third in charity. The age that is sufficient for the 'Aqiqah is the same as for the 'Id sacrifice: from camels, one that has completed five years; from cows, two years; from goats, one year; and from sheep, half a year. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q4: Allah has blessed me with a second child, and because I will be taking a leave of absence to Egypt soon, I decided to perform the 'Aqiqah in the country. Is it permissible to pay its value in cash to the poor and needy, or to distribute its value as raw meat to the poor, relatives, and friends? Is it permissible to prepare part of it raw and part cooked; that is, the cooked for the household and the raw for the poor, along with distributing other items necessary for cooking, and this is due to the inability to cook kabsa at home? Also, is there a specific age for the 'Aqiqah animal, whether sheep or a small cow?
A4: The 'Aqiqah is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah) for the father: two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. Paying its value in money is not sufficient in its place, because that contradicts the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions after him (may Allah be pleased with them). There is no harm in distributing the meat of the 'Aqiqah raw to the poor, or making part of it cooked for his family, neighbors, and friends, and the other part raw to be distributed to the poor. The recommended practice (sunnah) for the 'Aqiqah, as with the 'Id sacrifice, is to divide it into three parts: eat one third, give one third as a gift, and give one third in charity. The age that is sufficient for the 'Aqiqah is the same as for the 'Id sacrifice: from camels, one that has completed five years; from cows, two years; from goats, one year; and from sheep, half a year. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.