Ruling on Having Shares in a Large Animal for ʿAqīqah
✍ Answered by: Fadīlat al-Shaykh Ḥāfiẓ Khiḍr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh
Is it permissible to allocate multiple shares in a large animal (such as a cow or camel) for ʿAqīqah, like it is done in Qurbānī?
The Sunnah practice of ʿAqīqah is to sacrifice a small animal, such as a goat or sheep.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“For a boy, two sheep of equal age; and for a girl, one sheep.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 2842]
✔ Scholars have differed regarding the permissibility of sacrificing a large animal (cow or camel) for ʿAqīqah.
[Al-Mawsūʿah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaytiyyah: 30/279]
➤ However, following the Sunnah by sacrificing a goat or sheep remains superior and preferable.
✔ Although sacrificing a large animal for ʿAqīqah is permissible,
it is not allowed to allocate shares in it as is done in Qurbānī.
In Qurbānī, multiple people can share in one large animal – this is established in Sharīʿah.
But in ʿAqīqah, this type of shared participation is not permitted.
➤ Each child must have a separate, full share — meaning a full animal must be sacrificed on behalf of each child.
Sunnah: To sacrifice a goat or sheep for ʿAqīqah.
Permissibility: Sacrificing a large animal is permissible.
Prohibition: It is not allowed to divide the large animal into shares for multiple children like in Qurbānī.
Best Practice: Sacrifice one full animal per child.
✍ Answered by: Fadīlat al-Shaykh Ḥāfiẓ Khiḍr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to allocate multiple shares in a large animal (such as a cow or camel) for ʿAqīqah, like it is done in Qurbānī?
❖ Answer:
✦ Sunnah of ʿAqīqah:
The Sunnah practice of ʿAqīqah is to sacrifice a small animal, such as a goat or sheep.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“For a boy, two sheep of equal age; and for a girl, one sheep.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 2842]
✦ Sacrificing a Large Animal for ʿAqīqah:
✔ Scholars have differed regarding the permissibility of sacrificing a large animal (cow or camel) for ʿAqīqah.
[Al-Mawsūʿah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaytiyyah: 30/279]➤ However, following the Sunnah by sacrificing a goat or sheep remains superior and preferable.
✦ Ruling on Shares in a Large Animal:
✔ Although sacrificing a large animal for ʿAqīqah is permissible,
it is not allowed to allocate shares in it as is done in Qurbānī. In Qurbānī, multiple people can share in one large animal – this is established in Sharīʿah. But in ʿAqīqah, this type of shared participation is not permitted.➤ Each child must have a separate, full share — meaning a full animal must be sacrificed on behalf of each child.
❖ Summary:
Sunnah: To sacrifice a goat or sheep for ʿAqīqah. Permissibility: Sacrificing a large animal is permissible. Prohibition: It is not allowed to divide the large animal into shares for multiple children like in Qurbānī. Best Practice: Sacrifice one full animal per child.