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
Clear Islamic verdict on hanging Ta'wiz, amulets, or Quranic verses for protection or blessings. Backed by Quran, Hadith, and scholars:… Read More
Complete guide on the Sunnah way of performing Nahr/Qurbani: timing, place, method for camels & goats, duas to recite, whether… Read More
Clear Islamic guidance on whether a husband can give ghusl to his deceased wife (and vice versa), touch or see… Read More
Learn the authentic Islamic rulings on trimming nails, plucking armpit hair, shaving pubic hair (for men and women), the 40-day… Read More
Discover 99 popular fabricated Hadiths and false stories wrongly attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. A must-read guide to separate authentic… Read More
Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) said, “I do not know of any disagreement” regarding a buffalo sufficing for seven people. Some use… Read More