The ruling on verbalizing the intention when slaughtering the 'aqiqah

Question:
He says: I was blessed with three daughters, and I slaughtered a sheep for each daughter at her birth, but I did not say, "This is the 'aqiqah for the daughter," because I did not know that the 'aqiqah is obligatory. My question is: Do these slaughtered animals suffice for the 'aqiqah? If I had known that the 'aqiqah is obligatory, I would have said when slaughtering it, "This is the 'aqiqah for the daughter."

Answer:
The intention is sufficient, and there is no need to say "aqiqah"; the intention is sufficient. The 'aqiqah is a recommended practice (sunnah), not obligatory. So, with the praise of Allah, you have performed the sunnah, and praise be to Allah. The intention is sufficient in this matter. If one intends the slaughtered animal for his daughter, or the two slaughtered animals for his male child, that is sufficient, even if he does not verbalize anything. And if he says, "This is for my son so-and-so" or "for the daughter of so-and-so," there is no harm, just as with the udhiyah, where one says, "This is a sacrifice for so-and-so," or "O Allah, accept from so-and-so." All of this is fine, and all of it is good. However, the intention is sufficient, even if one does not verbalize anything, based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) . The intention, whose place is the heart, is sufficient before Allah, and praise be to Allah. Yes. May Allah reward you with good.