What is Aqiqah?
A complete guide to the blessed Sunnah tradition of welcoming a newborn child through sacrifice and celebration.
When?
7th day after birth (or anytime)
How Many?
2 for boy, 1 for girl
Type
Sunnah (recommended)
Understanding Aqiqah
Aqiqah is a blessed Sunnah tradition in Islam, performed to welcome a newborn child into the Muslim community. It involves the sacrifice of one or two animals (typically goats or sheep) on behalf of the child, traditionally performed on the 7th day after birth.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) practiced and highly recommended this tradition. In a hadith narrated by Salman ibn Amir ad-Dabbi, the Prophet said: "With the boy there should be an Aqiqah, so shed blood on his behalf and remove the harm from him." (Bukhari)
Rules of Aqiqah
For a baby boy: Two sheep or goats are recommended (Sunnah)
For a baby girl: One sheep or goat is recommended
One animal for either gender is also acceptable according to some scholars
The animal should meet the same criteria as Qurbani animals (healthy, of age)
It is Sunnah to shave the baby's head and give charity equal to the weight of hair in silver
When to Perform Aqiqah
While the 7th day after birth is the preferred time according to Sunnah, Aqiqah can be performed at any time. If unable to do it on the 7th day, the 14th or 21st day are also recommended. However, there is no strict deadline – Aqiqah can be performed years later, and even adults can perform their own Aqiqah if it wasn't done during their childhood.
Benefits of Aqiqah
Gratitude to Allah
Expression of thankfulness for the blessing of a child
Community Sharing
Meat is distributed to family, friends, and the needy
Protection for Child
Seeking Allah's protection and blessings for the newborn
Following Sunnah
Continuing the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
How Aqiqah USA Helps
At Aqiqah USA, we make it easy to fulfill this blessed Sunnah from anywhere in the United States. We handle the entire process – from selecting healthy, Shariah-compliant animals to performing the sacrifice and distributing the meat to families in need.
With our 36-hour fulfillment guarantee, you'll receive photo documentation and a digital certificate confirming your Aqiqah has been completed. The meat reaches underprivileged families who rarely have access to quality protein.
Ready to Perform Aqiqah?
Fulfill this blessed Sunnah with our professional service. 36-hour guarantee with photo documentation.