Aqeeqah and Shaving a Newborn’s Hair: A Beautiful Sunnah of Gratitude and Purity
Islam encourages expressing gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a newborn through specific practices such as shaving the baby’s hair and performing the Aqeeqah. This tradition is supported by the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“مع الغلام عقيقه فاهرقوا عنه دما واميطوا عنه الأذى” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
“With the newborn comes the Aqeeqah; sacrifice an animal and remove harm (shave the hair).”
Timing of Aqeeqah:
Islam recommends performing the Aqeeqah and shaving the baby’s hair on the seventh day after birth. This is evident from the hadith of Aisha (RA), who reported:
“عق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الحسن والحسين يوم السابع وسماهما”
(The Prophet ﷺ performed Aqeeqah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn on the seventh day and named them)
(Rawahu Al-Bazzaar, Ibn Hibban, and Al-Hakim).
Similarly, Ibn Umar (RA) narrated:
“قال رسول الله ﷺ: إذا كان يوم السابع للمولود فاهرقوا عنه دما وأميطوا عنه الأذى وسموه”
(The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: On the seventh day after a baby is born, sacrifice an animal, remove the harm (shave the hair), and give the baby a name)
(Reported by Al-Tabarani).
If performing Aqeeqah on the seventh day is not feasible, it can also be carried out on the fourteenth or twenty-first day.
Aqeeqah for All Children
Aqeeqah is not limited to the firstborn. It is a recommended act for all children, male and female. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“إن اليهود تعق عن الغلام كبشا ولا تعق عن الجارية، فعقوا عن الغلام والجارية”
(Indeed, the Jews perform Aqeeqah for boys with one sheep and neglect it for girls. Perform Aqeeqah for both boys and girls.)
(Reported by Al-Bazzaar).
Number of Animals
The renowned scholar Imam Malik is of the opinion that the number of sacrificial animals offered for Aqiqah should be equal for both boys and girls. However, the majority of Muslim scholars hold that there is no objection to increasing the number for boys. Since there appears to be a contradiction in the Hadiths related to this matter, it is considered prudent to maintain equality.
Slaughtering a sheep is considered the most preferred option, though there is no objection to sacrificing camels or cattle as well. Since the primary purpose of the sacrifice in Islam is to feed the poor, Imam Shafi’i (R) and others have stated that it is better to slaughter animals that provide more meat.
Choice of Animal
According to a hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik (RA):
“يعق عنه الإبل والبقر والغنم”
(For Aqeeqah, camels, cows, or sheep may be sacrificed.)
(Reported by Al-Tabarani).
Abu Dawood also reported:
“أن النبي ﷺ عق عن الحسن والحسين كبشا كبشا”
(The Prophet ﷺ performed Aqeeqah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn by sacrificing one sheep each.)
Aqeeqah for Deceased Infants
If a newborn passes away before the seventh day, performing Aqeeqah is still considered a recommended act. Imam An-Nawawi said:
“لو مات المولود قبل السابع استُحبّت العقيقة عندنا”
(If the baby dies before the seventh day, performing Aqeeqah is still recommended, according to us.)
(Sharh Al-Muhadhdhab 8:448).
The act of Aqeeqah remains beneficial in the Hereafter. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that even in such cases, the Aqeeqah helps the parents and the child in their journey toward Allah.Aqeeqah is a beautiful tradition in Islam that demonstrates gratitude to Allah while promoting community ties through feeding the poor and fostering equality. It is not just an act of celebration but a reflection of Islamic values of purity, generosity, and fairness.