The Ruling on the 'Aqiqah and Expiating It with Money
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
The questioner, Abdullah, says: Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Honorable Shaykh, my wife gave birth to a son, and I have not performed the 'Aqiqah for him since his birth, which was seven days ago, because I did not know about this matter until the time had passed, and I did not know how to do it due to the impossibility. The second son is the same as the first. When is the shaving for the child, and when is the 'Aqiqah performed for him?
The Shaykh:
The 'Aqiqah for a male child is on the seventh day, in order to remove the hair he was born with. The virtue of the 'Aqiqah begins on the seventh day. If it is delayed beyond the seventh day, there is no harm. Or if one was unable to perform it and then becomes able, he slaughters it whenever it becomes easy for him. The same applies to the second son. The Sunnah is to perform it for each one: two sheep for a male, and one sheep for a female. Yes.
The questioner:
He says: Is it permissible to estimate a specific amount and pay it out to those who are entitled to it in place of the 'Aqiqah?
The Shaykh:
No, this is not permissible. This is not called an 'Aqiqah; it is called charity. 'Aqiqah means slaughtering. Slaughtering the 'Aqiqah, eating from its meat, giving charity from it, being generous to the household, and rejoicing in it—this is thanks to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, for the blessing of this newborn. It is also for the sake of the newborn receiving the blessings of it, and for his release from the captivity of Satan. In that 'Aqiqah, there are benefits that are not found in charity. So, charity, giving dirhams, and providing the needy with food, drink, or clothing does not suffice in place of slaughtering the 'Aqiqah, because slaughtering is an act of worship. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-An'am 6:162] And sometimes. And its death. By Allah. Lord of the worlds.
Allah the Exalted said: "Pray to your Lord and sacrifice." Slaughtering is an intended act of worship. Slaughtering the 'Aqiqah is an intended act of worship, and giving charity with its value does not suffice in its place.
The questioner, Abdullah, says: Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Honorable Shaykh, my wife gave birth to a son, and I have not performed the 'Aqiqah for him since his birth, which was seven days ago, because I did not know about this matter until the time had passed, and I did not know how to do it due to the impossibility. The second son is the same as the first. When is the shaving for the child, and when is the 'Aqiqah performed for him?
The Shaykh:
The 'Aqiqah for a male child is on the seventh day, in order to remove the hair he was born with. The virtue of the 'Aqiqah begins on the seventh day. If it is delayed beyond the seventh day, there is no harm. Or if one was unable to perform it and then becomes able, he slaughters it whenever it becomes easy for him. The same applies to the second son. The Sunnah is to perform it for each one: two sheep for a male, and one sheep for a female. Yes.
The questioner:
He says: Is it permissible to estimate a specific amount and pay it out to those who are entitled to it in place of the 'Aqiqah?
The Shaykh:
No, this is not permissible. This is not called an 'Aqiqah; it is called charity. 'Aqiqah means slaughtering. Slaughtering the 'Aqiqah, eating from its meat, giving charity from it, being generous to the household, and rejoicing in it—this is thanks to Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, for the blessing of this newborn. It is also for the sake of the newborn receiving the blessings of it, and for his release from the captivity of Satan. In that 'Aqiqah, there are benefits that are not found in charity. So, charity, giving dirhams, and providing the needy with food, drink, or clothing does not suffice in place of slaughtering the 'Aqiqah, because slaughtering is an act of worship. Allah the Exalted said:
Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِيAllah the Exalted said: "Pray to your Lord and sacrifice." Slaughtering is an intended act of worship. Slaughtering the 'Aqiqah is an intended act of worship, and giving charity with its value does not suffice in its place.
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/255 — archive.org (11:37)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.