By Tariq Mahmood Hashmi

‘Aqiqah in its origin is a name for custom among the Arabs in the time of the Prophet (sws). In this custom, an animal was sacrificed and its blood poured upon the child’s head, after which, the child’s head was shaved. It was believed that till such an act was performed upon the child, the child remained prone to calamities and sufferings.

When the Prophet (sws) was asked about this custom, he is reported to have replied that he did not approve of it. He dissuaded people from observing the referred custom. Nevertheless, he encouraged the father of a newly born child to offer sacrifice as a show of gratitude and thankfulness towards their Lord, for blessing him with a child. Over the years, this custom of sacrificing came to be known as ‘Aqiqah.

If you want to offer sacrifice as a token of gratitude to the Almighty you may proceed. There is no restriction on the matter of who offers it. You can sacrifice any kind of animal which is not declared prohibited. Of course, sacrificing an animal is not the only way to show gratitude to the Almighty; one can adopt other ways. Moreover, shaving the baby’s head has no basis. One may do so for hygienic reasons but one is not required by Islam to do so

https://youtu.be/ObRO_iJf_-0

https://youtu.be/SWqn06OnLJ4

@MS25 This question better be answered by the proponents of this practice. Here’s something that might help you:

“because one of the objectives of ‘aqiqah is to seek refuge from satanic influence and calamities, and male is more vulnerable to such influences than a female because his activities are more diversified, therefore, an additional sacrifice is suggested. Therefore, it should not be taken to indicate that the birth of a girl is less blissful, because the Holy Quran has condemned this belief in several verses”

Muhammad Taqi Usmani, “Answers to Your Questions”, Monthly AlBalagh International, Karachi, Vol.24 No.01 December 2012, pp. 33-35

Muwatta Imam Malik 2187

Nafi’ reported: Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was not asked by anyone from his family to provide a newborn celebration but that he would perform it. He would perform a newborn celebration for his child by sacrificing a sheep for each boy and girl.

Malik said, “The matter in which there is no disagreement among us regarding the newborn celebration, is that whoever performs it does so for his child by offering a sheep for each male and female. The newborn celebration is not an obligation, but rather it is recommended to act upon it.”