Question Summary:
Few questions regarding Aqīqah

Question Detail:

1. When performing Aqīqah, can I cut up the sheep for distribution or must I leave the sheep whole and remove the meat from the bones, then donate it? I also read somewhere the bones of the animal should not be cut. Is this true? 2. Shaving her hair should be done on same day of Aqīqah or can it be done any day before or after the Aqīqah? I heard the hair’s weight equivalent to the weight of gold or silver is Sunnah. How many shavings are allowed for a baby girl?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
 
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
1.      The object in Aqīqah is the mere slaughtering of the animal.  There are no restrictions in the cutting procedure or distribution of the meat.  One may keep the meat and consume it.  One may also distribute the meat to family and friends.  It is however advisable to give one third of the meat to the poor and needy.[1] 
It is preferred not to break the bones of the slaughtered animal merely as a good omen.  Hence it would be better to cook each limb as a whole. [2] However it is not necessary and it is permissible to break the bones. [3] [4] [5]
 
2.      The preferred time for the slaughtering of the animal and shaving the head is the seventh day upon birth.  If this is not possible, then the fourteenth day, twenty first day etc.  The method of calculating seven days is that whatever day the child is born, perform the Aqīqah one day before.  In other words, if the child is born on a Thursday, then the Aqīqah should be performed the coming Wednesday.  The fourteenth day is the Wednesday after, so on and so forth. [6] [7] [8] [9] Furthermore, it is permissible to shave the head before or after the slaughtering. [10] 
 
Also, it is Sunnah to give the amount of gold or silver in charity equivalent to the weight of the hair. [11]    
 
With regards to shaving or cutting girls’ hair, it is permissible until they reach puberty or signs of puberty appear, resulting in men being attracted towards them.  In the case a girl reaches the age of nine, and no signs of puberty are apparent, then too the hair should not be cut. [12]  However, since it is prohibited for women to cut their hair, this training should be given to girls well before they reach the age of puberty.
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
US
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net