Is Aqiqah Fard or Sunnah?
Aqiqah is not fard. The majority of scholars classify it as Sunnah Mu'akkadah — a strongly emphasized Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Short answer
Aqiqah is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah according to the majority (Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools). The Hanafi school holds it as Mustahabb (recommended). A minority within the Hanbali school consider it Wajib. No school treats it as fard like the five daily prayers.
Hadith evidence
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "With the boy there should be an Aqiqah, so shed blood on his behalf and remove the harm from him." (Bukhari)
And in another narration: "Every child is held in pledge for his Aqiqah which is sacrificed for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved, and he is given a name." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i)
Rulings by school of thought
Hanafi
Mustahabb (recommended)
The Hanafi school traditionally classifies Aqiqah as Mustahabb — recommended but not obligatory. Imam Abu Hanifa held it as a praiseworthy act tied to gratitude for the child.
Shafi'i
Sunnah Mu'akkadah
The Shafi'i school considers Aqiqah a strongly recommended Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) that the financially able should not neglect.
Maliki
Sunnah Mu'akkadah
The Maliki school also classifies Aqiqah as Sunnah Mu'akkadah, with two animals for a boy and one for a girl preferred.
Hanbali
Sunnah Mu'akkadah (some say Wajib)
The Hanbali school treats Aqiqah as Sunnah Mu'akkadah. A minority within the school, citing Imam Ahmad's strong wording, classify it as Wajib.
What if Aqiqah was missed?
Because Aqiqah is not fard, there is no sin in missing it. However, neglecting it without reason means losing a great reward and an emphasized Sunnah. Aqiqah can be performed at any age, and adults can even perform it for themselves if their parents did not.
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