Aqiqah: The Islamic Concept of Aqiqa.

Aqiqa Concept In Islam:-

The meaning of Aqiqa in Arabic:The root of the Arabic word Aqiqa is from ‘aqqa’, which means to tear something, or to spill the blood of something, or to cut something.

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Aqiqa is a term used in Islamic terminology for the act of sacrificing an animal for the pleasure of Allah Subhanah at the birth of a child, as a token of our appreciation,thankfulness, gratitude and gratefulness at His Mercy, Bounty and Blessing.

Similarly, Salaah actually means to supplicate someone. But it has become a term in Islamic terminology as the actual act of prayer, where one says takbeer, does qiyaam, does rukuh,does sujood, and sits in a particular manner as taught by the Prophet of Allah (saws).

Similarly, ‘sawn’ (or fasting) means to stop oneself from something. But it has become a term in Islamic terminology as an act for fasting from dawn to dusk in a prescribed manner.

The Purposeof Aqiqa:

The performance of Aqiqah is highly encouraged. It is to be performed by the parents or the guardians of the child. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions used to perform Aqiqah when they were bestowed with a newborn. There are many benefits in the performance of Aqiqah. One is the announcing the birth of the baby. Being bestowed a child is a great blessing from the Creator. Another purpose is inviting family members, neighbors, and friends to celebrate the blessed occasion. The poor should be included in the celebration by offering them food and meat served on this occasion.

Narrated Salman bin 'Amri Ad-Dabbi (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Aqiqa is to be offered for a (newly born) boy.’ " (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The hair of the baby s shaved. It is recommended to weigh the cut hair in silver, and give its value to the poor or to orphans as alms.  A goat, a sheep or other such animal should be sacrificed either after shaving the hair or at the same time, but not before.  It is recommended to read the following prayer at the time when the animal is about to be slaughtered:

O gathering, I am free from what you associate; I turn my face to He who split the heavens and the earth, a true believer and a Muslim, and not one of the polytheists.  My prayer, my piety, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Words.  O Allah, from You and to You, in the Name of Allah; Allah is greater.  O Allah, bless Muhammad, and accept [this] from … (name of the child).

Son / daughter of …… (name of the father).       

Arabic version of slaughtring of animal Dua        

English version dua:

Yā qawmi innī barī’un mim-mā tushrikūna innī wajjahtu wajhīya li-’lladhī fatara s-samāwāti wa-l-arda hanīfam musliman, wa-mā anā mina l-mushrikīna.   Inna salāt-ī wa nusuk-ī wa-mahyāyā wa-mamāt-īli-’llāhi rabbil-‘alamīna sharīka la-h.

Wa-bi dhālika umirtu wa-anā mina l-muslimīna allāhumma min-ka wa-la-kabi-’smi’llāhi wa-’llāhu akabar.

Allāhumma salli ‘alā Muhammadin wa-āli Muhammadin wa-taqabbal min…..

(name of child) ibni (for a boy) / binti (for a girl) …. (name of father)

After the sacrifice, the greater part of the meat should be distributed among the poor and needy.  It may also be served to the guests, but it is disapproved for the parents of the baby and their dependents to eat it.

If, due to any reason, ‘aqīq is not performed on the seventh day after the birth of the child, it may be offered later on, at any time, even by the child itself after attaining puberty.

Recite the following if the Son /male baby :

O Allah, verily You have given us a son. You alone know what You have given and what has been granted, and (You alone know everything about) whatever You create. So accept (our offering offered) in accordance with Your command and the traditions of Your prophet and messenger (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children), and keep away the accursed Shaytan from us. This blood is pouring out for Your sake only (a.s.) there is no partner to share (it) with You,O my Allah, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds 

 O my Allah, this meat (instead of) his meat, this blood (instead of) his blood, these bones (instead of) his bones., these hair (instead of) his hair, this skin (instead of) his skin (are offered to You), so O my Allah, accept this (sacrifice) instead of the sacrifice of (mention the name of the child.

BISMILLAAHI WA BILLAAHI ALLAAHUMMA HAAD'IHEE A'QEEQATUN A'N (mention the name of the child with father's name) LAH'MUHAA BILAH'MIHEE (BILAH'MIHAA) WA DAMUHAA BIDAMIHEE (BIDAMIHAA) WA A'Z'MUHAA BI-A'Z'MIHEE (BIA'Z'MIHAA) ALLAAHUMMAJ-A'LHAA WIQAA -AN LAHOO (LAHAA) BI-AALI MUH'AMMADIN S'ALLALLAAHU A'LAYHI WA AALIHEE WA SALLAM

BISMILLAAHI WA BILLAAHI WALH'AMDU LILLAAHI WALLAAHU AKBAR EEMAANAN BILLAAHI WA THANAA-AN A'LAA RASOOLILLAAHI S'ALLALLAAHU A'LAYHI WA AALIHEE WAL A'S'MATU LI-AMRIHEE WASH SHUKRU LIRIZQIHEE WAL MA-RIFATU BIFAZ LIHEE A'LAYNAA AHLIL BAYTI

ALLAAHUMMA INNKA WAHABTA LANAA D'AKARAN WA ANTA A'-LAMU BIMAA WAHABTA WA MINKA MAA A'T'AYTA WA KULLAMAA S'ANA -TA FATAQABBAALHU MINAA A'LAA SUNNATIKA WA SUNNATI NABIYYIKA WA RASOOLIKA S'ALLALLAAHU A'LAYHI WA AALIHEE WAKH-SA A'NNASH SHAYT'AANAR RAJEEMA LAKA SAFAKTUD DIMAA-A LAA SHAREEKA LAKA ALLAAHUMMA WAL H'AMDU LILLAAHI RABBIL A'ALAMEEN ALLAAHUMMA LAH'MUHAA BILAH'MIHEE WA DAMUHAA BIDAMIHEE WA A'Z'MUHAA BI-A'Z'MIHEE WA SHA'RUHAA BISHA - RIHEE WA JILDUHAA BIJILDIHEE ALLAAHUMMAJ-A'LHU FIDAA-AN

After the birth of a baby, it is recommended that the adhān Should be recited in its right ear and the iqāma in its left ear.  This act should be performed after the child is washed and wrapped in a cloth, or later, within a few days.