What are the rulings regarding the 'Aqiqah, including its naming, its timing, whether the wealthy are given from it, whether it is permissible to give it to a disbeliever, and whether it is better to distribute it or hold a wedding feast?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : May the Shaykh please enrich us with some of the rulings regarding the 'Aqiqah: its naming, its timing, whether the wealthy are given from it, whether it is permissible to give it to a disbeliever, and whether it is better to distribute it or hold a wedding feast?
The Shaykh : How many questions is this?
The questioner : They revolve around a single topic.
The Shaykh : Even if I told you: describe the characteristics of the prayer, its invalidators, its disliked acts, the prostration for forgetfulness, the prayer for rain, and the prayer for guidance in a decision, it is all one topic.
In any case, the 'Aqiqah is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah). For a boy, two sheep are slaughtered, and for a girl, one sheep. It is slaughtered on the seventh day, and it is eaten from, distributed to the wealthy as a gift, and to the poor as charity. This is the summary of it.
The questioner : Is it permissible to give it to a disbeliever?
The Shaykh : One may give charity from it to a disbeliever if no harm comes to the Muslims from him, neither from him nor from his people. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Mumtahanah 60:8] meaning: Allah does not forbid you from being kind to them. Be kind to them, meaning: give them charity. There is no obstacle to being kind to them and being just toward them. Kindness is doing good, and justice is fairness: [Al-Ma'idah 5:42].
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : May the Shaykh please enrich us with some of the rulings regarding the 'Aqiqah: its naming, its timing, whether the wealthy are given from it, whether it is permissible to give it to a disbeliever, and whether it is better to distribute it or hold a wedding feast?
The Shaykh : How many questions is this?
The questioner : They revolve around a single topic.
The Shaykh : Even if I told you: describe the characteristics of the prayer, its invalidators, its disliked acts, the prostration for forgetfulness, the prayer for rain, and the prayer for guidance in a decision, it is all one topic.
In any case, the 'Aqiqah is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah). For a boy, two sheep are slaughtered, and for a girl, one sheep. It is slaughtered on the seventh day, and it is eaten from, distributed to the wealthy as a gift, and to the poor as charity. This is the summary of it.
The questioner : Is it permissible to give it to a disbeliever?
The Shaykh : One may give charity from it to a disbeliever if no harm comes to the Muslims from him, neither from him nor from his people. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: