ʿAqīqa
ʿAqīqa ( Arabic عقيقة) refers to the slaughter of a sacrificial animal as well as the sacrificial animal itself and is a solemn event on the seventh day of a newborn's life. It includes the slaughter of a sacrificial animal, the shaving of the child's hair and, if not already done, the naming. 'Aqīqa is a form of Sadaqa and also sunna mu'akkada (confirm Sunna ) and very widespread in the Muslim community.
It is a duty of the father.
procedure
On the seventh day, or, if this is not possible, a multiple of seven after birth, but no later than puberty , the newborn's hair is shaved. Often the weight of the shaved hair is weighed with silver and the equivalent is donated to the needy . In addition, one sheep is slaughtered for a girl and two sheep for a boy, alternatively goats, rams or the like, if the family is financially able to do so. This meat is also given to those in need. Often there is the option of having the sacrificed animal slaughtered in another country and donating all of the meat. Usually many friends and relatives are invited to the ʿAqīqa celebration.
If the ʿAqīqa falls during the period of the Hajj and the festival of sacrifice , it is permissible to combine the compulsory act (slaughter of the obligatory sacrificial animal) with the Sunna act (ʿAqīqa).
Religious basis
Basics for ʿAqīqa can only be found in the Sunna of the Prophet Mohammed and the Hadith .
It is a Sunnah act to be performed, but failure to do so due to ignorance or lack of financial means is not punished.