The Laws of the 'Aqeeqah and its ruling

Question :

What is the ruling on the slaughter of the 'Aqeeqah for the newborn child, regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl? Is it obligatory to slaughter two sheep for a boy? What is the ruling if I slaughtered only one sheep (for a boy) and a long period of time passed? What is the ruling regarding the 'Aqeeqah if the grandfather slaughtered for his grandson? What is its ruling if someone helps him in paying the price to purchase it? What is the ruling concerning holding a party for the 'Aqeeqah? And what must be done with it (the 'Aqeeqah meat)?

Answer:

The 'Aqeeqah is the sacrificial animal that is slaughtered for the newborn child and it is Sunnat Mu'kkadah (compulsory). Some of the scholars hold the view that it is obligatory due to the Prophet's statement:
"Every child is a pledge for his 'Aqeeqah. It is to be slaughtered on the 7th day after his birth and he is named (on that day)."

However, this Hadith supports its emphasis, so the basic principle is the lack of obligation. The Sunnah is that two sheep are slaughtered for the male child or even two goats, and one sheep for the female child. If the person only slaughters one sheep for the boy, that will suffice, if Allâh wills. Likewise, it is permissible to separate between the two sheep by slaughtering the first after a week and the second after two weeks, but it is opposed to what is best (i.e., to slaughter them both together). The fundamental principle is that it (the 'Aqeeqah) is obligatory on the father as a sign of thanks to Allâh, the Most High, Who provided him with the child. If the grandfather performs the sacrifice for the child or his brother or someone else, that is sufficient. Likewise, if some other people pay some of its price that is acceptable. The Sunnah is that the person performing the sacrifice eats a third of it, gives a third of it away as a gift to his friends and gives a third of it in charity to the Muslims. It is permissible for him to invite his friends and relatives to eat it or to give all of it away in charity.

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