vuohen uhraus

There is no mention of the Aqeeqah in the Qur’an. But it is a confirmed Sunnah and has been recorded in detail in various authentic ahadith which appear in many collections. I will quote a few of these ahadith for you in order to establish an authentic view of the Aqeeqah.

It is reported that Samurah Ibn Jundub, may Allah be pleased with him, quotes the Messenger of Allah, (S), as saying: “A boy is ransomed by his `Aqeeqah. Sacrifice should be made for him on the seventh day, he should be given a name and his head should be shaved.”
(Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, 1522; An-Nasaa'i, 4220 and Abu Dawood, 2838.

The Hadith is classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, in Al-Irwaa’ 4/385).



Narrated Salman bin 'Amir Ad-Dabbi:



I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "'Aqiqa is to be offered for a (newly born) boy, so slaughter (an animal) for him, and relieve him of his suffering."

Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 66, Number 380:



Yahya related to me from Malik from Jafar ibn Muhammad that his father said, "Fatima, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah(S), weighed the hair of Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum, and gave away in sadaqa an equivalent weight of silver."

Malik's Muwatta: Book 26, Number 26.1.2:



It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Messenger of Allaah (S) commanded them (to sacrifice) two similar sheep for a boy and one for a girl.

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1513; Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1221; Abu Dawood, 2834; al-Nasaa’i, 4212; Ibn Maajah, 3163



These hadith define the basic parameters of the Aqeeqah which are



Making sacrifice

2 sheep or goats for a boy
1 sheep or a goat for a girl

Shaving Head and donating the weight of the cut hair in silver
Giving the child a name


Beyond the basics there are some technical details which the ulema have made clear for us. I would like to share some of their points with you. These points cover various common Fiqhi questions which are raised in regards to the Aqeeqah:





If one does not make the aqeeqah on the seventh day, one should bear in mind the seventh day (when making the aqeeqah in the future) In order to stay closer to the Sunnah
It is permissible to slaughter the animal either before or after shaving the head
The animal that cannot be used for qurbaani cannot be used for aqeeqah as well. If an animal is permissible for qurbaani, it will be permissible for aqeeqah as well.
The meat of aqeeqah could be distributed raw, cooked, or it could be prepared as a meal and people could be invited to join in the meal.
It is permissible to add extra meat other than the one or two sheeps in order to accommodate your guests at your child’s aqeeqah gathering
It is permissible for the parents, grand parents, etc. to consume the meat of aqeeqah.
A person who does not have sufficient wealth can sacrifice one sheep instead of two. If a person does not make aqeeqah at all, there is no harm in this as well.
Performing the Aqeeqah is Sunnah in which there is no sin if not done. Yet it is something that the Prophet (S) did and there is reward in following the Sunnah
And there is great reward for reviving a Sunnah which has been abandoned
Some other Islamic traditions related to childbirth which are mentioned are Giving the Adhaan the in the childs ear and having the boys circumcised which is an obligatory Sunnah which must be done eventually



So now that we know what the Aqeeqah entails we should know what is its importance or significance.



Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, rahimulllah, states: "Among the benefits of `Aqeeqah are:





It is a sacrifice by means of which the child is brought close to Allah soon after he comes into this world.
It is a ransom for the newborn so that he or she can intercede for his parents.
It is a sacrifice by which the newborn is ransomed just as Allah ransomed Isma`eel with the ram.
Perhaps another benefit of the `Aqeeqah is the gathering of relatives and friends for a feast.


Another topic which is closely related to a new child being born is that of the rights of the child.



It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The ruler who is in charge of people is a shepherd and is responsible for them. The man is the shepherd of his household and is responsible for them. The woman is the shepherd of her husband’s house and child and is responsible for them. The slave is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2416; Muslim, 1829.

Ibn Qayyim rahimullah said:

“One of the best ways of mutual support (in righteousness and piety) is to help one another on the journey of migration to Allah and to ar-Rasool (peace be on him) with hands, tongues and hearts, and by teaching, educating and caring. A person having this attitude toward the worshippers of Allah will see prosperity rush to him from all directions. Allah will move toward him the hearts of His `Ibaad, will open for his heart the gates of knowledge, and will make smooth for him the path bliss.”

This Aqeeqah is an example of that mutual support. There are so many good deeds which are associated with this Aqeeqah such as sacrificing in the way of Allah and Bringing hearts together so that they may be filled with Allah’s remembrance.

It is islamic custom, but it's not a "MUST".

http://www.anwary-islam.com/life/aqiqa.htm

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=257&CATE=87