Rulings on the 'Aqiqah

Question:
We conclude this session with a question from our brother Abu Basam. He asks: What are the rulings related to the 'Aqiqah? If you wish?

Answer:
The 'Aqiqah is the animal slaughtered for the newborn: two for a boy and one for a girl. It is slaughtered on the seventh day of his birth, or on the twenty-first day, or after that. The important thing is that it is slaughtered with the intention of seeking the face of Allah the Exalted and thanking Him for this blessing. It is an act of worship and a prescribed ritual of slaughter. It has a benefit for the child in that it frees him from the captivity of Satan. Every boy is held hostage by his 'Aqiqah, meaning he is held by Satan unless an 'Aqiqah is slaughtered for him. The 'Aqiqah frees him from Satan's captivity. This is how it was interpreted, as mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim. Some say "held hostage" means he is prevented from interceding for his parents until an 'Aqiqah is slaughtered for him. Allah knows best.
The important thing is that it has a benefit for the child, and it is of benefit to the household, as they eat from it and are generous with it. It is of benefit to the neighbors, as some is sent to them, and it is of benefit to the poor, as charity is given to them from its meat. It is a great act of worship. It is slaughtered on the seventh day or after, and one eats from it and gives charity from it. For a boy, it is two sheep, and for a girl, it is one sheep. Yes.