However...

However, keeping in mind the natural difference between the two sexes, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) laid down that while one goat was to be sacrificed in the aqeeqah of a female child, two goats should be sacrificed in the aqeeqah of a male child provided that one’s financial position permitted it. It is reported that the Prophet (PBUH&HP) said: To whomsoever, a child is born, and he wants to perform a sacrifice of aqeeqah on behalf of it, he should sacrifice two goats for a boy and one for a girl.

Commentary As is evident in this tradition, aqeeqah is not obligatory, but it is among the mustahab or recommended acts, i.e., those acts which are recommended and rewardable but are not binding or compulsory. In the same way, it is not necessary to sacrifice two goats for a male child. It is better to sacrifice two if one can afford it, otherwise one is enough.

In some traditions, the giving away in the charity of silver equal in weight to the child’s shaved hair, or its price in cash, is also mentioned, in addition to the sacrifice of the animal. This too is, recommended act and not compulsory. The command to perform the aqeeqah on the day of the birth has not been given, perhaps for the reason that at the time the family is occupied with the needs and comforts of the mother and the shaving of the hair (head) can also be harmful to the child.

Generally, after a week, the mother gets well and does not need special attention and the baby, too, becomes strong enough to go through the shaving of the hair. In some other traditions, it is said that the child should also be named on the 7th day, together with aqeeqah, but from a few other traditions, it appears that the Prophet (PBUH&HP) had named children even on the day of their birth.

There is, as such, no harm in naming the child before the 7th day, but if it has not been done, the child should be named on the 7th day together with the aqeeqah. The aqeeqah ceremony, as we have seen consists of two acts: the shaving of the hair (head) and the sacrifice of the animal. There is a peculiar link between the two acts and these acts are among the religious practices of Prophet Abraham.

In Hajj too, they go together where the male pilgrims have their hair (head) shaved after the Adhiyah. Thus, aqeeqah also is a practical demonstration of our association with Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and of the fact that the child, too, is a member of the same community.