The Ruling on the 'Aqiqah and Shaving the Head After the Seventh Day

Question:
This questioner, Abdullah from Riyadh, says: Honorable Shaykh, I was blessed with two sons. For the first son, I did not shave any of his hair on the seventh day, nor did I perform the 'aqiqah sacrifice for him, because I did not know that shaving is a recommended practice (sunnah) and because I could not afford to perform the 'aqiqah. As for the second son, it is the same question: Is it permissible to perform the 'aqiqah later? And is it permissible to shave the second child's head after the seventh day? Until when is that permissible? May Allah reward you.

Answer:
Shaving the head of a male child on the seventh day is a recommended practice (sunnah). If he leaves it off, he owes nothing, because it is a recommended practice whose time has passed. As for the 'aqiqah, if he is able to perform it, he should carry it out, because it is a confirmed recommended practice.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you and bless you.