A happy married couple surely wants the presence of a child. There are those who get it right away after getting married, however there are also who need a hard effort to get a child. When the child has born to the world, then as a gratitude, it is held an aqeeqah according to Islam.
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The Order of Aqeeqah
There is also the law of aqeeqah in Islam which is between obligatory and sunnah, which is done on the seventh day after birth, for those who are able. However, if you are not able to do it on that day then it can be postponed until you are able to do it.
عَنْ سَلْمَانَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ الضَّبِيّ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ص يَقُوْلُ: مَعَ اْلغُلاَمِ عَقِيْقَةٌ فَاَهْرِيْقُوْا عَنْهُ دَمًا وَ اَمِيْطُوْا عَنْهُ اْلاَذَى
From Salman bin ‘Amir Ad-Dhabiy, he said: the Prophet said: “Aqeeqah is done because of the birth of a baby, then slaughter an animal and get rid of all disturbances from him.” [Hadith Sahih Bukhari (5472), for more details, see Fathul Bari (9/590-592), and Irwaul Ghalil (1171), Syaikh Albani]
عَنْ سَمُرَةَ بْنِ جُنْدَبٍ اَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ص قَالَ: كُلُّ غُلاَمٍ رَهِيْنَةٌ بِعَقِيْقَتِهِ تُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ سَابِعِهِ وَ يُحْلَقُ وَ يُسَمَّى
From Samurah bin Jundab, he said: the Prophet said: “Indeed, all babies are pawned with their aqeeqah which on the seventh day, animals (sheep) are slaughtered, name is given and their hair is shaved.” [Sahih, Hadith Abu Dawud 2838, Tirmidzi 1552, Nasa’I 7/166, Ibn Majah 3165, Ahmad 5/7-8, 17-18, 22, Ad Darimi 2/81, and others]
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Sunnah in Aqeeqah
Besides the obligatory thing, there are things that are sunnah in aqeeqah. Even though it is sunnah, it is highly suggested to do it for those who are able to do it with the purpose of seeking the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Cook the Aqeeqah Slaughter Meat in Cooked Condition
In the book of “Tuhfathul Maudud” page 43-44, Imam Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah said,
“Cook the aqeeqah meat belongs to sunnah. That is because if the meat has cooked then the poor people and neighbors (who get it) do not feel troublesome. And this will increase the goodness and gratitude toward that grace. The neighbors, children and poor people can eat it happily. Because those who are given the meat that has been cooked, ready to eat, and tastes good, of course the happy feeling is more than if the raw meat that still needs more energy to cook it….And generally, the gratitude food (made in order to show gratitude) is cooked first before it is given or served to other people.”
When you are going to buy a sheep for aqeeqah, notice the conditions of the sheep for aqeeqah according to Islam. Because of it is cheap then you want to buy the sheep that is not worthy for aqeeqah! This thing does not only harm other people, but also yourself.
The Amount of Sheep for Aqeeqah
In the hadith, the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam explained that the amount of sheep for aqeeqah for a boy was 2 sheep, meanwhile for a girl was only 1 sheep. Basically, that thing belongs to sunnah in aqeeqah, as it is stated in the following verse.
Ibn Hajar Al Asqolani rahimahullah explained, “These hadiths (such as Ummu Kurz hadith, -pen) become a strong argument for the jumhur (majority) of theologians in differentiating the aqeeqah for a boy and a girl. However, Imam Malik had an opinion that aqeeqah for both of them were the same. Imam Malik reasoned with the hadith that the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam did aqeeqah for Al Hasan and Al Husain with one sheep each. This hadith was released by Abu Daud, however it could not be used as an argument. There was also a narration that was released by Abusy Syaikh from another lane from ‘Ikrimah from Ibn ‘Abbas with the lafaz “two sheep each”. It was also released from the way of ‘Amr ibn Syu’aib from his father from his grandfather for the example of the narration. Based on the narration of Abu Daud, that hadith does not deny the mutawatir hadiths which strictly explain that aqeeqah for a boy is with two sheep. However, that narration shows the allowance of aqeeqah that is less than two sheep. That is what it means. So, from here, the amount of sheep (which is two sheep for a boy, pen) is not the conditions of aqeeqah, however it is only sunnah (suggested).” (Fathul Bari, 9: 592).
Usually, the procession of aqeeqah is gathered with shaving the child’s hair. So, also understand the manners of shaving baby’s hair in Islam that are suggested in order to obtain the goodness and blessing from Him.
Those are some things that are sunnah in aqeeqah that we need to know. Hopefully it can give a benefit as well as open the way to increase the kinds of good deeds during in the world.