Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 184
Question:
There is a difference of opinion in our society regarding Aqeeqah. One group believes that Aqeeqah must be performed only on the seventh day and that the same conditions apply to its animal as those of the sacrificial animal (Qurbani), such as:
◈ The animal must be mature (musinnah).
◈ Free from every defect.
◈ Healthy and well-fed.
Another group holds the opinion that:
◈ The Sunnah is to perform Aqeeqah on the seventh or twenty-first day.
◈ If one is unable at that time, Aqeeqah can be done any time during one’s lifetime.
◈ The conditions of sacrificial animals do not apply to Aqeeqah animals.
◈ However, it is preferable to sacrifice something good in the way of Allah.
We request clarification of the actual ruling so that the matter becomes clear.
◈ The Hadith on performing Aqeeqah on the seventh day is authentic.
It has been reported by:
This narration comes through Hasan al-Basri from Samurah ibn Jundub.
◈ Al-Tirmidhi graded it “Hasan Sahih.”
◈ Ibn al-Jarud (910), Al-Hakim, and Al-Dhahabi (Al-Mustadrak 4/237) also graded it authentic.
(Nayl al-Maqsood 2/665)
◈ The narration mentioning the fourteenth and twenty-first day is weak for two main reasons:
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi 9/303)
◈ Another narration mentions that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed Aqeeqah after becoming a Prophet.
Reported by:
(Musannaf of ‘Abd al-Razzaq 4/329, H. 7960)
◈ This narration’s narrator ‘Abdullah ibn Muharrar is matruk (abandoned).
Hence, the narration is rejected and not acceptable.
◈ It is better and preferable to perform Aqeeqah on the seventh day.
◈ However, based on another Hadith, it is also permissible to perform Aqeeqah later:
«كل غلام مرتهن بعقیقته»
“Every child is held in pledge by his Aqeeqah.”
(Al-Muntaqa of Ibn al-Jarud: 910, with a Hasan chain)
Therefore, if Aqeeqah cannot be done on the seventh day, it can be done later as well.
◈ There is a connection between Aqeeqah and Qurbani.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«من أحب أن ينسك عن ولده»
“Whoever wishes to sacrifice on behalf of his child…”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i 7/162–164, H. 4217, Hasan chain)
◈ This Hadith indicates that it is preferable for the Aqeeqah animal to be like the Qurbani animal.
◈ However, the conditions for Qurbani animals (mature age, free from defects, etc.) are not obligatory for Aqeeqah animals.
◈ Nevertheless, sacrificing something excellent in the way of Allah is always preferable.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Clarifying the Issue of Aqeeqah on the Seventh Day
Question:
There is a difference of opinion in our society regarding Aqeeqah. One group believes that Aqeeqah must be performed only on the seventh day and that the same conditions apply to its animal as those of the sacrificial animal (Qurbani), such as:
◈ The animal must be mature (musinnah).
◈ Free from every defect.
◈ Healthy and well-fed.
Another group holds the opinion that:
◈ The Sunnah is to perform Aqeeqah on the seventh or twenty-first day.
◈ If one is unable at that time, Aqeeqah can be done any time during one’s lifetime.
◈ The conditions of sacrificial animals do not apply to Aqeeqah animals.
◈ However, it is preferable to sacrifice something good in the way of Allah.
We request clarification of the actual ruling so that the matter becomes clear.
Performing Aqeeqah on the Seventh Day – Authentic Narration
◈ The Hadith on performing Aqeeqah on the seventh day is authentic.
It has been reported by:
- Abu Dawud (2838)
- Al-Tirmidhi (1522)
- Ahmad (7/5)
This narration comes through Hasan al-Basri from Samurah ibn Jundub.
◈ Al-Tirmidhi graded it “Hasan Sahih.”
◈ Ibn al-Jarud (910), Al-Hakim, and Al-Dhahabi (Al-Mustadrak 4/237) also graded it authentic.
(Nayl al-Maqsood 2/665)
The Fourteenth and Twenty-First Day Narration
◈ The narration mentioning the fourteenth and twenty-first day is weak for two main reasons:
- Its narrator Isma‘il ibn Muslim is weak.
- It contains the ‘an‘anah of Qatadah.
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi 9/303)
Narration of the Prophet ﷺ Performing Aqeeqah After Prophethood
◈ Another narration mentions that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed Aqeeqah after becoming a Prophet.
Reported by:
(Musannaf of ‘Abd al-Razzaq 4/329, H. 7960)
◈ This narration’s narrator ‘Abdullah ibn Muharrar is matruk (abandoned).
Hence, the narration is rejected and not acceptable.
Permissibility of Performing Aqeeqah Later
◈ It is better and preferable to perform Aqeeqah on the seventh day.
◈ However, based on another Hadith, it is also permissible to perform Aqeeqah later:
«كل غلام مرتهن بعقیقته»
“Every child is held in pledge by his Aqeeqah.”
(Al-Muntaqa of Ibn al-Jarud: 910, with a Hasan chain)
Therefore, if Aqeeqah cannot be done on the seventh day, it can be done later as well.
Relationship Between Aqeeqah and Qurbani
◈ There is a connection between Aqeeqah and Qurbani.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«من أحب أن ينسك عن ولده»
“Whoever wishes to sacrifice on behalf of his child…”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i 7/162–164, H. 4217, Hasan chain)
◈ This Hadith indicates that it is preferable for the Aqeeqah animal to be like the Qurbani animal.
◈ However, the conditions for Qurbani animals (mature age, free from defects, etc.) are not obligatory for Aqeeqah animals.
◈ Nevertheless, sacrificing something excellent in the way of Allah is always preferable.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
