What are Aqeeqah rules for baby boy/girl?

Many people don’t know that the rules for offering Aqeeqah are different for baby girls and baby boys. We are here to explain these rules.

• 6 rights of a newborn baby to the parents

What is Aqeeqah?

Sacrificing sheep on the birth of a baby boy or girl to thank Allah for His blessings is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Aqiqa is to be offered for a newborn so slaughter (an animal) for him, and relieve him of his suffering.” – Sahih al-Bukhari 5472

Is Aqiqah obligatory?

Aqeeqah is neither Fard nor Wajib but a Sunnah act so its performance is not obligatory but desirable. – Muwatta Malik

However, when Allah has bestowed upon your his greatest blessing (child), you should perform Aqiqa as an act of gratitude if you can afford to do so. It also helps in protecting the newborn from illness and the evils of the devil.

When to do it?

As per the rules for Aqeeqah, it should be performed on the 7^th day of the birth of a boy or girl. – Mishkat al-Masabih 4153

However, if it is not done within seven days of the birth, scholars argue that it can be performed during the life of the child. It can be performed by himself in his adulthood if his parents have not been able to do so. 

Aqeeqah Rules for Baby Boy

According to Aqeeqah rules, two sheep or lambs to should be sacrificed on the birth of a baby boy. – Mishkat al-Masabih 4156

In addition to that, the following Dua should be recited on the Aqiqa of a baby boy.

In the name of Allah, this is the Aqiqah of (name of the boy), son of  (name of the father): its flesh (i.e., the flesh of the sacrifice of the Aqiqah) for his flesh blood, it’s bone for his bone, its hair for his hair, its skin for his skin. O Allah, let it be a protection of the family of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family.

Aqeeqah Rules for Baby Girl

As per the Aqeeqah rules set in Islam, one sheep should be sacrificed for the birth of a baby girl.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: If anyone has a child born to him and wishes to offer a sacrifice on its behalf, he may offer two sheep for a boy and one for a girl. – Mishkat al-Masabih 4156

In addition to that, the following Dua should be recited on the Aqiqa of a baby girl.

In the name of Allah, this is the Aqiqah of (name of the girl), daughter of  (name of the father): its flesh (i.e., the flesh of the sacrifice of the Aqiqah) for his flesh blood, it’s bone for his bone, its hair for his hair, its skin for his skin. O Allah, let it be a protection of the family of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family.

Sheep for Aqiqa

As per Aqeeqah rules for both boys and girls, the sheep should be selected keeping in view the following points;

• The minimum age of lamb shall be 6 months while that of goat be 12 months.
• The animal should not be sick or defected.
• They shall not have broken teeth or horns or any such deformation.
• It is recommended to choose the best and most healthy animal.

• The Aqiqa meat shall be distributed in three parts i.e. one own self, family and relatives, and the poor. A family gathering can also be arranged and cooked meat be served to rejoice in the birth.