Planning an aqiqah
What the Sunnah asks for a newborn, from the seventh day to the sheep, the shaving of the head and the name, with each hadith and its grade.
What it is
The aqiqah is the sacrifice made in thanks for a newborn. The Prophet ﷺ said: "A boy is in pledge for his aqiqah. Sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and he is given a name" (Abu Dawud 2838, sahih).
Most scholars hold it is a Sunnah, strongly encouraged rather than an obligation. Ask your imam how your school sees it.
When
On the seventh day after the birth (Abu Dawud 2838). If it cannot be held then, scholars allow it later, and the seventh day remains the Sunnah (Darul Iftaa Birmingham).
The sheep
Two sheep for a boy and one for a girl: "Two resembling sheep are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl" (Abu Dawud 2834, sahih; Tirmidhi 1513, hasan). For al-Hasan, the Prophet ﷺ had one sheep sacrificed (Tirmidhi 1519, hasan).
Many families in Britain arrange the sacrifice through their butcher, or through a charity that carries it out abroad, and share the meat with family, neighbours and those in need.
The head, the silver and the name
The baby’s head is shaved, and the weight of the hair is given in silver as charity. The Prophet ﷺ told Fatimah to do so for al-Hasan, and it weighed about a dirham (Tirmidhi 1519, hasan). Today families give its value.
The baby is named, if not already. The Prophet ﷺ also softened a date and rubbed it on a newborn’s palate (tahnik), for Abu Musa’s son, whom he named Ibrahim (Bukhari 5467).
The gathering
Many families invite relatives and friends to share the meal, at home, at the masjid or in a hall: a gathering of thanks. The invitation needs only the baby’s name, who invites, the day and the place.