Aqeeqah: has any specification is there regarding the weight and type of animal to do the aqqeqah?: has aqeeqah needs to be done in the place where the child has born.?

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Assalamualaikkum,Please answer me my below queries has aqeeqah needs to be done in the place where the child has born? has any specification is there regarding the weight and type of animal to do the aqqeqah?

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Answer:

Aqeeqa

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: ....has aqeeqah needs to be done in the place where the child has born?

It is the preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) for the parents to offer an ‘aqiqah’ sacrifice as a sign of being grateful for the Mercy and Grace of their Lord at the birth of a baby.  Although it would be best and preferred to offer the sacrifice and consume and distribute the meat in the society or community where one resides; but if for any reason one finds it difficult to offer the sacrifice where one resides and wishes to offer it in another nation, there is absolutely no restriction and no harm. 

Your Question: ..has any specification is there regarding the weight and type of animal to do the aqqeqah?

When offering an ‘aqiqah’ sacrifice, the Sunnah or practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) was always to slaughter sheep.  Cattle (cows, etc.) and Camels were normally slaughtered as a sacrifice during pilgrimage.  There is absolutely no example in the authentic and established traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) or his noble companions slaughtering cattle or camels for ‘aqiqah’ sacrifice; their practice was always to slaughter the prescribed number of sheep during ‘aqiqah’.

Thus, if you wish to offer the ‘aqiqah’ sacrifice as a sign of gratefulness to Allah Subhanah for his gift of a child, it is best to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) and sacrifice the prescribed number of sheep for each child. 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

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