The Ruling of ‘Aqīqah – It Will Always Remain ‘Aqīqah, Not General Charity
Excerpt taken from the book Wālidayn aur Aulād ke Ḥuqūq by Shaykh Jāwīd Iqbāl Sialkotī
Whenever ‘Aqīqah is performed, it will always be called ‘Aqīqah and not general charity.
Arabic:
◈ عَنْ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
الْغُلَامُ مُرْتَهَنٌ بِعَقِيقَتِهِ
Translation:
Samurah رضي الله عنه narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"A child is pledged for his ‘Aqīqah."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: What Has Been Reported Concerning ‘Aqīqah: 1522
Ibn Mājah, Book of Slaughtering, Chapter: ‘Aqīqah: 3165
Arabic:
◈ عَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَقَّ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ بَعْدَ مَا جَاءَتْهُ النُّبُوَّةُ
Translation:
Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that:
The Prophet ﷺ performed ‘Aqīqah for himself after Prophethood was conferred upon him.
[Ḥasan] Al-Ṭabarānī al-Awsaṭ, Ḥadīth No. 1994
Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzāq, Book of ‘Aqīqah, Chapter: Obligation of ‘Aqīqah: 7990
Take note that the Prophet ﷺ performed his own ‘Aqīqah after the age of forty, i.e., after receiving Prophethood. Even then, the act was referred to as ‘Aqīqah and not as general charity (ṣadaqah).
This clarifies that no matter when it is performed, if the intention is of ‘Aqīqah, it will remain ‘Aqīqah and will not be considered general charity.
① The term ‘Aqīqah is specific and cannot be replaced by ṣadaqah (general charity).
② The Prophetic Sunnah upholds the term ‘Aqīqah even when delayed.
③ The ritual has unique rulings and naming which are distinct from other acts of charity.
Excerpt taken from the book Wālidayn aur Aulād ke Ḥuqūq by Shaykh Jāwīd Iqbāl Sialkotī
✦ Statement:
Whenever ‘Aqīqah is performed, it will always be called ‘Aqīqah and not general charity.
✿ Ḥadīth ①
Arabic:
◈ عَنْ سَمُرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
الْغُلَامُ مُرْتَهَنٌ بِعَقِيقَتِهِ
Translation:
Samurah رضي الله عنه narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"A child is pledged for his ‘Aqīqah."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Sacrifices, Chapter: What Has Been Reported Concerning ‘Aqīqah: 1522 Ibn Mājah, Book of Slaughtering, Chapter: ‘Aqīqah: 3165✿ Ḥadīth ②
Arabic:
◈ عَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَقَّ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ بَعْدَ مَا جَاءَتْهُ النُّبُوَّةُ
Translation:
Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that:
The Prophet ﷺ performed ‘Aqīqah for himself after Prophethood was conferred upon him.
[Ḥasan] Al-Ṭabarānī al-Awsaṭ, Ḥadīth No. 1994 Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzāq, Book of ‘Aqīqah, Chapter: Obligation of ‘Aqīqah: 7990✦ Benefit:
Take note that the Prophet ﷺ performed his own ‘Aqīqah after the age of forty, i.e., after receiving Prophethood. Even then, the act was referred to as ‘Aqīqah and not as general charity (ṣadaqah).
This clarifies that no matter when it is performed, if the intention is of ‘Aqīqah, it will remain ‘Aqīqah and will not be considered general charity.
✔ Summary Points:
① The term ‘Aqīqah is specific and cannot be replaced by ṣadaqah (general charity).
② The Prophetic Sunnah upholds the term ‘Aqīqah even when delayed.
③ The ritual has unique rulings and naming which are distinct from other acts of charity.
