❖ ʿAqīqah on Behalf of a Deceased Child — A Sharʿī Perspective
Excerpted from the book “Parents and Children’s Rights” by Shaykh Jāwīd Iqbāl Sialkoti
If a child passes away after the completion of seven days from birth, then it remains obligatory upon the father to perform the child’s ʿaqīqah.
However, if the child dies before the seventh day, then ʿaqīqah is not obligatory, because the wording of the ḥadīth specifically mentions:
"Yawm al-sābiʿ" — “The seventh day”
(Referring to narrations such as: “...He is sacrificed for on the seventh day...” — Ibn Mājah: 3165, al-Tirmidhī: 1522)
If the child does not live to see the seventh day, then ʿaqīqah does not become due, as the specified time has not arrived.
① If the child dies after the seventh day, the obligation of ʿaqīqah still remains upon the father.
② If the child dies before the seventh day, then no ʿaqīqah is required, as the stipulated condition mentioned in the ḥadīth was not fulfilled.
Excerpted from the book “Parents and Children’s Rights” by Shaykh Jāwīd Iqbāl Sialkoti
❀ ʿAqīqah for a Deceased Child
If a child passes away after the completion of seven days from birth, then it remains obligatory upon the father to perform the child’s ʿaqīqah.
However, if the child dies before the seventh day, then ʿaqīqah is not obligatory, because the wording of the ḥadīth specifically mentions:
"Yawm al-sābiʿ" — “The seventh day”
(Referring to narrations such as: “...He is sacrificed for on the seventh day...” — Ibn Mājah: 3165, al-Tirmidhī: 1522)If the child does not live to see the seventh day, then ʿaqīqah does not become due, as the specified time has not arrived.
✔ Conclusion:
① If the child dies after the seventh day, the obligation of ʿaqīqah still remains upon the father.
② If the child dies before the seventh day, then no ʿaqīqah is required, as the stipulated condition mentioned in the ḥadīth was not fulfilled.
