Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says: When people in the days of ignorance performed ‘Aqiqah for a child, they would dip a piece of cotton in the blood of the ‘Aqiqah animal and, after shaving the child’s head, place it on his head. The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “(On the day of ‘Aqiqah, on the child’s head) instead of blood, apply perfume (khaluq).”