Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum ! it is compulsory to give aqeeqa within a week time after birth of a baby or if we give aqeeqa later is there any sin. what is the difference giving it within a week or after that Please explain quoting a relevant surah. Thank u ! 

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Answer:

Is Aqeeqa obligatory?

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

It has been reported on the authority of Hadrat Samurah ibn Jundub that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “A boy is in pledge for his Aqiqah, sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and he is given a name.”

The ‘Aqiqa’ or sacrifice at the birth of a new-born is not a ‘fard’ or obligatory duty in Islam; it is a voluntary deed and a recommended Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

If one performs this sacrifice, there is a huge reward from Allah Subhanah; and if for any reason one is not able to perform the ‘aqiqa’, there is no sin.

The Sunnah and recommendation of the Messenger of Allah (saws) is to perform the ‘aqiqa’ on the seventh day of the birth of the child; but if for any reason, one performs it later, there is no harm. But it is obviously better to follow the recommendation of the Prophet (saws) and perform the ‘aqiqa’ on the seventh day.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) himself performed the ‘aqiqa’ of his grandsons Hadrat Hasan in Ali (r.a.) and Hadrat Hussain ibn Ali (r.a.) on the seventh day.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan