Derived from: Ahkam wa Masail – Qurbani and Aqiqah Issues, Volume 1, Page 442
A man around 30 years old asks whether he is considered "held in pledge" because his ‘Aqiqah was never performed. A scholar told him that a person remains mortgaged until ‘Aqiqah is done. He seeks clear Islamic guidance on this matter for the sake of pleasing Allah.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
The statement of the scholar is correct, as a clear and authentic saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ exists on this subject.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«اَلْغُلاَمُ مُرْتَهَنٌ بِعَقِيْقَتِه تُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ، وَيُسَمّٰی، وَيُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ»
Narrated by Aḥmad, al-Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Nasā’ī
(Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol. 2, p. 1208, Ḥadīth 4153)
Translation:
“The child is held in pledge for his ‘Aqiqah, which is to be sacrificed on the seventh day; he is named and his head is shaved.”
In some versions of the narration, the word "رَهِينَةٌ" (held in pledge) is used in place of "مُرْتَهَنٌ", both carrying the same essential meaning.
◈ According to the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, a child is considered held in pledge until the ‘Aqiqah is performed.
◈ ‘Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), and its significance is established through authentic Prophetic traditions.
◈ Therefore, if a person’s ‘Aqiqah was not done during childhood, they may perform it later in adulthood.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
A man around 30 years old asks whether he is considered "held in pledge" because his ‘Aqiqah was never performed. A scholar told him that a person remains mortgaged until ‘Aqiqah is done. He seeks clear Islamic guidance on this matter for the sake of pleasing Allah.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
✿ Prophetic Guidance on ‘Aqiqah:
The statement of the scholar is correct, as a clear and authentic saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ exists on this subject.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«اَلْغُلاَمُ مُرْتَهَنٌ بِعَقِيْقَتِه تُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ، وَيُسَمّٰی، وَيُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ»
Narrated by Aḥmad, al-Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Nasā’ī
(Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol. 2, p. 1208, Ḥadīth 4153)
Translation:
“The child is held in pledge for his ‘Aqiqah, which is to be sacrificed on the seventh day; he is named and his head is shaved.”
In some versions of the narration, the word "رَهِينَةٌ" (held in pledge) is used in place of "مُرْتَهَنٌ", both carrying the same essential meaning.
✿ Summary of the Ruling:
◈ According to the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, a child is considered held in pledge until the ‘Aqiqah is performed.
◈ ‘Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), and its significance is established through authentic Prophetic traditions.
◈ Therefore, if a person’s ‘Aqiqah was not done during childhood, they may perform it later in adulthood.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
