A man for whom no 'Aqiqah was performed in childhood: should he perform it in adulthood?
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The questioner : Shaykh, if a person was not offered an 'Aqiqah when he was young, is it prescribed for him to do so when he is an adult? And what is the limit for the 'Aqiqah? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : He is asking about a man for whom no 'Aqiqah was performed during his childhood; should he perform it after reaching adulthood?
The answer is: if his father was poor at the time the 'Aqiqah was prescribed, then he owes nothing, even if he becomes wealthy later. This is like a man who is poor and has no zakah due on him, even if he becomes wealthy later. The 'Aqiqah is dropped due to the inability to afford it.
As for if he was wealthy but he says, "Every day is today," then he should perform the 'Aqiqah even if the child has grown up.
The best time for it is the seventh day, then the fourteenth, then the twenty-first. After that, the weeks are not considered. It is two animals for a male, and if one is sufficient, that is acceptable. For a female, it is one animal.
It is better not to increase, because if the door of increasing is opened, people will compete in this, and it may reach dozens. It is said: "Stick to the Sunnah." If he says, "I have friends, relatives, and neighbors," we say: "Let it be." If one animal is sufficient for a female, or two for a male, that is what is required. If it is not sufficient, buy chicken or meat, and do not slaughter more than what the Sunnah prescribed.
The questioner : Does he perform it for himself?
The Shaykh : There is a difference of opinion on this. As for performing the 'Aqiqah for oneself, there is a difference of opinion, and the most correct view is that he does not perform it, because this is something that is the responsibility of the father.
The Shaykh : He is asking about a man for whom no 'Aqiqah was performed during his childhood; should he perform it after reaching adulthood?
The answer is: if his father was poor at the time the 'Aqiqah was prescribed, then he owes nothing, even if he becomes wealthy later. This is like a man who is poor and has no zakah due on him, even if he becomes wealthy later. The 'Aqiqah is dropped due to the inability to afford it.
As for if he was wealthy but he says, "Every day is today," then he should perform the 'Aqiqah even if the child has grown up.
The best time for it is the seventh day, then the fourteenth, then the twenty-first. After that, the weeks are not considered. It is two animals for a male, and if one is sufficient, that is acceptable. For a female, it is one animal.
It is better not to increase, because if the door of increasing is opened, people will compete in this, and it may reach dozens. It is said: "Stick to the Sunnah." If he says, "I have friends, relatives, and neighbors," we say: "Let it be." If one animal is sufficient for a female, or two for a male, that is what is required. If it is not sufficient, buy chicken or meat, and do not slaughter more than what the Sunnah prescribed.
The questioner : Does he perform it for himself?
The Shaykh : There is a difference of opinion on this. As for performing the 'Aqiqah for oneself, there is a difference of opinion, and the most correct view is that he does not perform it, because this is something that is the responsibility of the father.