- Aqeeqa

Definition of Aqeeqa
Due to the happiness of when a child is born, the animal that is slaughtered is known as an Aqeeqa.

When should an Aqeeqa be performed
1) An Aqeeqa is Mustahhab and it is better to perform it on the seventh day. If it cannot be performed on the seventh day then perform it whenever possible and the Sunnat will be fulfilled.

2) Two goats should be slaughtered for a son and one goat for a daughter, also a male animal for the boy and a female animal for the girl, if however, if this is vice-versa then it is also accepted. If you cannot afford to slaughter two then for the boy one female goat would also do.

3) If you slaughter a cow or a buffalo then for the boy you would specify two parts and for the girl one part.

4)You can mix parts of Aqeeqa with a Qurbani animal. The same conditions apply for an Aqeeqa animal as for the Qurbani animal. 

What should be done with the Aqeeqa meat ?
1) The meat of the Aqeeqa should be given to the poor, friends and relatives raw or cooked, or it can be served as a meal and all the people invited, in all cases it is allowed.

2) For pious prediction don't break the bones and if you do break them then this is not forbidden. You can cook the meat in whichever way suits you but to cook it salty is a means that the child will become with good characteristics.

3) The Aqeeqa meat can be eaten by all relatives such as mother, father, grandfather, grandmother etc.

4) The rule for the skin of the Aqeeqa is the same as for the Qurbani animal, meaning you can make use of it yourself or give it to someone or give to a Madressa or Mosque.

Dua for Aqeeqa
When slaughtering the animal for Aqeeqa, pray this Dua;
"Allahumma Haazihi Aqeeqatu ibn-e-Falaa (Instead of Ibne Falaa state the your child's name if you are slaughtering the animal yourself, and if someone is performing the Aqeeqa on behalf of someone then say the child and the child's father's name) Damuhaa Be-Damihi Walah muha Bi Lahmihi Wa'azmuha Be-Azmihi Wa Jilduha Be-Jildihi Wa'Sha'ruha Be Sha'rihi Allahummaj Alha Fi'da'al Li'Ibne Minannaar'e Bismillahi Allahu Akbar"

If the child is a girl then pray this Dua ;
"Allahumma Haazihi Aqeeqatu Binti Falaanatan (Instead of Falaa state the name) Damuhaa Bi damihaa Walah'Muhaa Bilah'Mihaa Wa'azmuhaa Bi azmiha Wajilduha Bijildiha Washa'ruha Bisha'riha Allahummaj Alhaa Fida'al libinti (if the daughter is yours, and if it is someone else's then say Bint Falaa) Minanaaar'e Bismillali Allahu Akbar".

If you do not know this Dua then by just praying Bismillahi Allahu Akbar the Aqeeqa will be complete [Bahar-e-Shariat].