Shaykh
Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
Question:
What is the meaning of 'Aqeeqah of the newborn child', and is it Fardh
(obligatory) or Sunnah (supererogatory)?
Answer: The Aqeeqah of the
newborn child is the sacrificial animal that is slaughtered in seeking nearness
to Allaah & thanking Him for the blessing of the newborn child on the 7th day
after birth. The people of knowledge have differed over whether it is
Sunnah or Fardh. Most of the people of knowledge hold the view that it
is Sunnat Muâkkadah (compulsory). Even Imaam Ahmad said, he borrows &
performs the Aqeeqah sacrifice. Meaning that the person who does not have any
money should borrow the money & perform the Aqeeqah, & Allaah will take
care of his debt for him because he revived a Sunnah.
The intent of his
statement He borrows is in reference to the person who hopes to be able to
repay the debt in the future. In reference to the person who does not think
that he will be able to repay the debt in the future, he should not borrow
money to perform the Aqeeqah. This statement from Imaam Ahmad is evidence that
it (the Aqeeqah) is Sunnat Muakkadah (compulsory), & that is
the fact. Therefore, the person should slaughter one sheep for the female
child, & this should be done on the 7th day. The person eats from it, gives
some of it away as a gift and gives some of it in charity. There is no harm if
he gives some of it away in charity & gathers his relatives & neighbors to
eat from its cooked meat with other food.
Fatawa
Islamiyah vol.4 p.336
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