Can You Perform Aqiqah for a Deceased Child? Understanding the Islamic Guidelines

Clarifying Aqiqah for Children Who Pass Away Shortly After Birth

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