Aqeeqah: Shaving the Hair & its Virtues and Rulings – A Sunnah of Gratitude and Purity
Islam teaches us to thank Allah for the child by doing other acts like shaving the baby’s hair and the Aqeeqah. This concept is further corroborated by the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
ومع الغلام عقيقة فأهرقوا عنه دما واميطوا عنه الأذى
(صحيح البخاري)
“So with the child is the Aqeeqah – slaughter an animal and ward off harm (shave the head).”
Timing:
Islam recommends the Aqeeqah and shaving the baby’s hair seventh day This issue is clearly indicated by the case of Aisha RA who said :
“عق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الحسن والحسين يوم السابع وسماهما”
Rawahu Al-Bazzaar, Ibn Hibban, wakalahu Al-Hakim Similar saying is attributed to Ibn Umar RA:
“قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إذا كان يوم السابع للمولود فاهرقوا عنه دما وأميطوا عنه الأذى وسموه”.
(The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: On the 7th day after a baby’s birth sacrifice an animal, remove the harm (shave the head) and name the baby.Reported by Al-Tabarani.
if performance of Aqeeqah on the seventh day is not feasible , it may also be done on the fourteenth or twenty first day.
Aqeeqah for All Children.
Aqeeqah is for all children, not just the first born. It is a practice which applies to male and female. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:.
“إن اليهود تعق عن الغلام كبشا ولا تعق عن الجارية، فعقوا عن الغلام والجارية”
In fact the Jews do for their male children the Aqeeqah ritual with one sheep and do not do it for girls. Do Aqeeqah for boys and girls. (Reported by Al-Bazzaar).
Number of Animals
The famous scholar Imam Malik states that for Aqiqah the number of sacrificial animals should be the same for boys and girls. But the majority of Muslim scholars are of the view that it is not wrong to sacrifice more for boys. That we find a contradiction in the Hadiths regarding this issue is what makes us recommend equality. It is also put forward that which animal is slaughtered is of little import, what is preferred is the sacrifice of a sheep although it is accepted to sacrifice camels or large cattle also. What is primary in the sacrifice in Islam is to put food on the tables of the poor which is what Imam Shafi’i (R) and others have said is achieved best by animals which give more meat.
Selection of Animal
As per a hadith cited from Anas ibn Malik (RA):
“يعق عنه الإبل والبقر والغنم”.
(At least camels, cows, or sheep may be sacrificed.) (Reported by Al Tabarani).
Abu Dawood reported also:
“أن النبي ﷺ عق عن الحسن والحسين كبشا كبشا”
(The Prophet ﷺ did Aqeeqah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn, each time sacrificing one sheep.)
Aqeeqah for Deceased Infants
If a birth results in death before the seventh day, performance of Aqeeqah is still a recommended act. Also reported by Imam An-Nawawi that.
“لو مات المولود قبل السابع استُحبّت العقيقة عندنا”
(Sharh Al-Muhadhdhab 8:448).
In the hereafter the practice of Aqeeqah is of benefit. The Prophet ﷺ also taught that even in such cases the Aqeeqah is a help to the parents and the child in their way towards Allah. Aqeeqah is a beautiful element of our Islam which expresses our thankfulness to Allah and at the same time we as a community come together in feeding the poor and in that we promote equality.