Question: A child passed away three days after birth. Can we perform the `aqiqah` (sacrifice) in the name of the deceased child? Please clarify this in the light of Hadith.
Answer: The command to perform `aqiqah` is given for the seventh day after the child’s birth. There is no command in any Hadith to perform `aqiqah` before seven days. Samurah bin Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
كلُّ غلامٍ رَهينةٌ بعقيقتِهِ تُذبَحُ عنهُ يومَ سابعِهِ ويُحلَقُ ويُسَمَّى (Sahih Abi Dawood: 2838)
Translation: “Every boy is in pledge for his `aqiqah`, which should be slaughtered for him on the seventh day, his head should be shaved, and he should be named.”
This Hadith indicates that `aqiqah` should be performed on the seventh day after the child’s birth. If a child passes away before reaching the seventh day, `aqiqah` should not be performed in their name because the child did not reach the day on which `aqiqah` is prescribed.
Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi, Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia
Many short-term online Islamic courses falsely promise Aalimiyyah degrees in just a few months. Discover why authentic religious knowledge requires… Read More
Part 17 of "The Righteous Answers to Wise Questions" details the two types of Gathering (Hashr) on the Day of… Read More
Despite the busyness of bridal preparations, delaying or missing prayer on your wedding day is strictly impermissible in Islam. Discover… Read More
Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) explains the 7 progressive tactics Satan uses — from kufr and bid’ah to minor sins, wasting time… Read More
Discover Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwas on Sunnis (Nawasib) from his books: impurity, no inheritance, unlawful slaughter, takfir, and more. Refutation of… Read More
This article exposes Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's alleged disrespectful views on the Sahaba (Companions of Prophet Muhammad PBUH), drawing… Read More