Rules of Aqiqah in Islam

The rules of Aqiqah in Islam set out how a Muslim family gives thanks to Allah for a new child, through the sacrifice of an animal, the shaving of the baby's hair, and the giving of sadaqah — ideally within the first seven days of birth. At Human Appeal, our team has helped arrange Aqiqah on behalf of thousands of families each year, and we've seen how much reassurance comes from understanding these rules properly before welcoming a child into the world. This guide walks you through the rules of Aqiqah in Islam step by step, so you can perform this beautiful sunnah with sincerity and peace of mind.

When Should Aqiqah Be Performed?

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us: "Every child is held in pledge for his Aqiqah, which is to be slaughtered for him on his seventh day, his head is to be shaved, and he is to be given a name." [Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi]. This is why the majority of scholars recommend performing the Aqiqah on the seventh day after birth, counting the day of birth as day one.

If the seventh day passes and it hasn't been possible to arrange, the fourteenth or twenty-first day are the next preferred options. And if even these aren't achievable — perhaps because of financial hardship or family circumstances — take heart: the mercy of Allah is not bound by a deadline. Many scholars agree the Aqiqah remains valid whenever it is eventually performed, including in adulthood. So if your own parents weren't able to perform your Aqiqah as a baby, you can still choose to fulfil this sunnah for yourself, in gratitude to Allah for your own life.

The Sacrifice: Animals, Numbers, and Rules for Boys vs Girls

Just as with Qurbani, the animal offered for Aqiqah must be healthy, of a permissible age, and free from significant defects such as illness, lameness, or being underweight. Sheep and goats are most commonly used, and some scholars permit a share in a larger animal such as a cow or camel, divided into seven portions.

A meaningful distinction is made between a baby boy and a baby girl. It was narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) commanded that two similar sheep be sacrificed for a boy, and one for a girl [Tirmidhi]. This isn't an obligation, though — a single animal for a boy is still a valid and accepted Aqiqah if two aren't within reach. The name of Allah should be mentioned at the time of slaughter, as an act of remembrance and gratitude.

However you're able to arrange it, this act carries real barakah for your family and your child. Human Appeal's Aqiqah appeal allows you to fulfil this sunnah on your baby's behalf, with the meat distributed to families enduring hunger around the world — so your moment of joy also becomes a source of relief for someone else's hardship.

Shaving the Head

It is sunnah to shave the baby's head on the same day as the Aqiqah, and to give the equivalent weight of the hair in silver — or its cash value — to charity, following the example set by the Prophet (pbuh) and his family. This same day is also when the child is traditionally named, so that the sacrifice, the shaving, and the naming all become part of one act of gratitude to Allah.

If shaving isn't possible for any reason, this doesn't take away from the Aqiqah — the sadaqah can still be given, either as an estimate or a token amount, without this step. What matters most is the sincerity behind the act, not perfection in every detail.

A word of caution, drawn from questions we're often asked: some families mistakenly treat the sadaqah as a replacement for the sacrifice, or delay the head-shaving so long that it never happens. Both are separate acts of worship in their own right, and it's worth trying to fulfil both, insha'Allah.

Distribution of Meat

Once the sacrifice has been made, it is customary — echoing the spirit of Qurbani — to divide the meat into three portions:

●        One portion for your own family

●        One portion for relatives, friends and neighbours

●        One portion for those in need

This isn't compulsory, however, and many families choose to give the entire Aqiqah in charity, particularly when arranging it through an organisation such as Human Appeal where 100% of the meat reaches families facing hunger. Whichever path you take, the reward lies in the intention behind it — a sacrifice made sincerely for the sake of Allah, in thanks for the blessing of new life.