Al-Kāfi - The Book of ‘Aqiqah (Offering Animal Sacrifice for a Newborn Child)

Al-Kāfi - The Book of ‘Aqiqah (Offering Animal Sacrifice for a Newborn Child) Chapter: Al-’Aqiqah and its Being Obligatory عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ إِسْ٠َرَّارٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ وَ ابْنِ أَبِي عُ٠ِيعاً عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الْخَزَّازِ عَنْ ٠ٍ قَالَ وُلِدَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلا٠َرَ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ لَهُ جَزُورَيْنِ لِلْعَقِيقَةِ وَ كَانَ زَ٠َنُ غَلَاءٍ فَاشْتَرَى لَهُ وَاحِدَةً وَ عَسُرَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ( عليه السلا٠) قَدْ عَسُرَتْ عَلَيَّ الْأُخْرَى فَتَصَدَّقْ بِثَ٠َنِهَا فَقَالَ لَا اطْلُبْهَا حَتَّى تَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِهْرَاقَ الدِّ٠8.

Ali has narrated from father from ’Isma‘il ibn Marrar from Yunus and Ibn Abi ‘Umayr, all from abu Ayyub al-Khazzaz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: "Two boys were born to Abu Ja'far (a.s.). So, he ordered Zaid ibn Ali to buy for him two sheep for the 'Aqiqah (the sacrifice for a newborn). It was a time when prices were high, so he bought one, and the other was difficult for him (to buy).

He said to Abu Ja'far (a.s.): "The other one was difficult for me, so give charity with its price." He replied, "I will not seek to find one until it becomes possible for you, for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, loves the shedding of blood (sacrificing animals) and the feeding of food (to the needy)." حسن - Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi (Mirʾāt al-ʿUqūl fī Sharḥ Akhbār Āl al-Rasūl (21/46))