What happens in a Aqiqa ceremony?

Answer 1

What Aqiqah?

Aqiqah, in Islamic terminology, is defined as the animal that is slaughtered on the occasion of child birth.

The performance of Aqiqah is highly encouraged. It is to be performed by the parents or the guardians of the child. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions used to perform Aqiqah when they were bestowed with a newborn. 'Aqīqa consists of giving a name to the baby, shaving its hair, and offering a sacrifice. It is recommended that the new-born baby should be given either a compound name containing one of the most beautiful names of God (e.g. 'Abd Al-Hamīd), or the name of one of the fourteen Ma'sūms or another holy figure; or that a name should be found from the Qur'ān. In the latter case, the Qur'ān is opened with the solemn intention of seeking God's guidance and blessing and saying bi-'smi 'llāhi r-rahmān r-rahīm, and then a name derived from one of the Arabic roots found on that page is chosen.

When Should Aqiqah be Performed?

The best time to perform Aqiqah is on the seventh day after the birth of the baby.

What is the Purpose of Aqiqah?

There are many benefits in the performance of Aqiqah. One is the announcing the birth of the baby. Being bestowed a child is a great blessing from the Creator. Another purpose is inviting family members, neighbors, and friends to celebrate the blessed occasion. The poor should be included in the celebration by offering them food and meat served on this occasion.

Types of animals to be slaughtered

The following is a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) where he advised Aqiqah a goat/sheep.

Narrated Umm Kurz: The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Two sheep which resemble each other are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl. (Sunan Abu Dawood Book 15, No. 2830)

The condition of the animal for aqiqah

The condition of the animals in Aqiqah is the same as the conditions for the animals in Qurbani. The animals to be slaughtered must be a goats, cows or camels. For camels, it must be older than 6 years, for cows the age must be older than 3 years and for goats, it must be older than 2 years. They must be free from any form of handicap such as blind, sick, limp and undernourished. The animals must be slaughtered in the appropriate humane ways.

The following is then recited (first that for a boy, then for a girl):

In the Name of God and through God, this is the 'aqīqa of…. (name of the boy), son of …. (name of the father): its flesh [i.e., the flesh of the sacrifice of the 'aqīqa] for his flesh blood, its bone for his bone, its hair for his hair, its skin for his skin. O God, let it be a protection of the family of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family.

The hair of the baby s shaved. It is recommended to weigh the cut hair in silver, and give its value to the poor or to orphans as alms. A goat, a sheep or other such animal should be sacrificed either after shaving the hair or at the same time, but not before. It is recommended to read the following prayer at the time when the animal is about to be slaughtered:

O gathering, I am free from what you associate; I turn my face to He who split the heavens and the earth, a true believer and a Muslim, and not one of the polytheists. My prayer, my piety, my living, and my dying are for God, the Lord of the Words. O God, from You and to You, in the Name of God; God is greater. O God, bless Muhammad, and accept [this] from … (name of the child). Son / daughter of …… (name of the father).

After the sacrifice, the greater part of the meat should be distributed among the poor and needy. It may also be served to the guests, but it is disapproved for the parents of the baby and their dependents to eat it.

If, due to any reason, 'aqīq is not performed on the seventh day after the birth of the child, it may be offered later on, at any time, even by the child itself after attaining puberty.

This rite is not obligatory but recommended, and there are many Traditions which emphasize it.

Dua'a 252 According to Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq recite either of the following du'a'a at the time of slaughtering the animal for aqiqah (The ceremony of shaving the hair of an infant on the sixth day after birth)

In the name of Allah and by Allah, this aqiqa (sheep slaughtered) is of (mention the name of the child with father's name); its flesh (instead of) his/her flesh, its blood (instead of) his/her blood, its bones, (instead of) his/her bones (are offered) to You. O Allah, (accept it) as that by which (this child) may be protected and preserved, in the name of the children of Muhammad, blessings of Allah be on him and on his children, and peace.

In the name of Allah, by Allah, praise be to Allah, Allah is the greatest, faith is in Allah, thanks to the messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children) for safeguarding His command, gratitude for His sustenance, and awareness of us Ahl ul Bayt (our merits) by His grace.

Recite the following if the child is male:

O Allah, verily You have given us a son. You alone know what You have given and what has been granted, and (You alone know everything about) whatever You create. So accept (our offering offered) in accordance with Your command and the traditions of Your prophet and messenger (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children), and keep away the accursed Shaytan from us. This blood is pouring out for Your sake only (a.s.) there is no partner to share (it) with You, O my Allah, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O my Allah, this meat (instead of) his meat, this blood (instead of) his blood, these bones (instead of) his bones., these hair (instead of) his hair, this skin (instead of) his skin (are offered to You), so O my Allah, accept this (sacrifice) instead of the sacrifice of (mention the name of the child.