Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalaamu Alaikum
My question is, now I have 4 children. now they are 16, 14(twins) and 6 years old. I did not made Aqeeqa of all the 4 till date because of some reason. Now I want to sacrifice Goat or sheep for their Aqeeqa as per sunnah. I want to know that, whether they can eat the meat of their Aqeeqa or not. Please reply me.
Thanks & Regards
Jazzakallah Khair

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Answer:

Eat of aqiqa meat

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Now I want to sacrifice Goat or sheep for their Aqeeqa as per sunnah.

The Aqiqa sacrifice is not obligatory or ‘fard’ in Islam; but rather it is a preferred Sunnah and thus voluntary.  If one does offer this sacrifice as a form of gratitude to his Merciful Creator for the gift of the child which The Lord Most Gracious has bestowed upon them, there is a huge reward, and if one does not offer it for any reason, there is no sin.

The Aqiqa is the responsibility of the parents/guardians of the new-born, and if the parents/guardians of the new-born did not perform the Aqiqa sacrifice for their new-born in their infancy for any reason whatsoever, there is no compulsion or need for the child to offer this sacrifice later or when the child grows up.  

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2832 Narrated by Samurah ibn Jundub

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘A child is in pledge for his ‘Aqiqah’, sacrifice is made for it on the seventh day, its head is shaved, and it is given a name.’

It is Sunnah to offer the Aqiqa sacrifice on the 7^th day of the birth of the child; but if for any reason one is unable to offer it on the 7^th day and wishes to offer it later, it is expected that their sacrifice will be accepted by the Lord Most Merciful.

Your Question: I want to know that, whether they can eat the meat of their Aqeeqa or not.

There is absolutely no restriction in Shariah regarding who can and who cannot consume of the ‘aqiqa’ sacrifice; thus there is absolutely no harm if the child for whom the ‘aqiqa’ was done wishes to consume some of it.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan