Aqueeqa (sacrifice) of an animal for a newly born child and the removal of the baby's hair
MAS'ALAH No 1: When a child is born, male or female, it should be given a name on the seventh day of birth. When the hair of the head of the baby is shaved, a sacrifice is also offered which is called AQUEEQA. By Aqueeqa all impurities of the child are removed and the child is saved from all calamities by Allah.
MAS'ALAH No.2: The method of performing Aqueeqa is that for a male child , two goats or sheep and for a girl one goat or sheep is sacrificed. If an animal of seven shares (cow or camel) is used for Aqueeqa, then two shares will be taken for a male and one for a female. The hair of the head is then shaved. Silver, equal to the weight of the shaved hair is also given in charity. However, this is not compulsory.
Mas'alah No.3: Aqueeqa is performed on the seventh day of the birth of a child. If not done on the seventh day, then, whenever it is done, it should be the seventh day, e.g. if the child was born on a Friday, then Aqueeqa should be performed on the following Thursday (the 7th day after birth). If it is not performed on this Thursday, then any other Thursday.
MAS'ALAH No 4: That animal which is not permissible for Qurbani is also not permissible for Aqueeqa. Requirements for the animals of Qurbani and Aqueeqa are the same.
MAS'ALAH No.5: It is permissible to distribute the meat of an animal of Aqueeqa raw or cooked, and can also be served to guests.
MAS'ALAH No. 6: If one does not possess sufficient money, then it is permissible for such a person to sacrifice only one goat for a male child. There is no harm if Aqueeqa is not performed, provided one does not have the means for Aqueeqa.