ʿAqīqah: Gratitude for the Blessing of Children and a Means of Drawing Near to Allah
Written by: Imran Ayoob Lahori
The Wisdom Behind ʿAqīqah
Indeed, children are among the greatest blessings granted by Allah ﷻ, and Allah has made it obligatory to show gratitude for every blessing. As Allah ﷻ says:
وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ [النحل: 114]
“And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is indeed Him you worship.”
And in another verse:
فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ [البقرة: 152]
“So remember Me, and I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful.”
Thus, ʿAqīqah has been legislated so that gratitude may be expressed to Allah ﷻ for the blessing of children. It also serves as an occasion for hosting relatives and friends, while at the same time providing benefit to the poor and needy.
✿ Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله said:
“The ʿAqīqah of a child is a sacrifice offered to seek closeness to Allah and to express gratitude for the blessing of children. It is performed on the seventh day after birth.”
[Fatāwā Islāmiyyah 2/324]
✅ Conclusion:
- ʿAqīqah is an act of gratitude for the blessing of children.
- It is also a means of seeking nearness to Allah through sacrifice.
- It brings joy to family and friends and ensures that the poor share in this blessing.
