AQEEQA

The Aqeeqa refers to a sacrifice given by a family on the occasion of the birth of a son or a daughter. One sheep or a goat is adequate for the Aqeeqa for either a girl or a boy. Relatives & neighbours are invited, because this is a joyous occasion to be shared with the immediate community.

The Aqeeqa is a Sunnah, which means that it is strongly recommended. Its time is in the early days of the birth of the child. If a family cannot afford to sacrifice a goat, then no blame is attached to it for failing to do so. The Holy Quraan says: "Allah does not charge a soul with more than it can reasonably undertake." A poor family that finds it difficult to make both ends meet is not expected to observe the Aqeeqa.

The ceremony of Aqeeqa is generally used to give the newborn child a suitable name. Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn-e-Abbas (radi Allahu anhuma) reported that the Beloved Habib (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The father owes a right to his child to give him or her a good name & teach him or her good manners." (Bay'haqi)

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Jirad (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Apostle of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Call your brethren good names & not with abusive titles." Sayyiduna Ibn-e-Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The names dearest to Allah are "Abdullah" & "Abdur Rahman." (Muslim)

Sayyiduna Abu Umaamah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "If a son is born to a man & he gives the new born my name Muhammad out of my love, the father & the son both will enter Paradise." (Ibn-e-Asakar)

Sayyiduna Anas (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "On the Day of Judgment two persons will be brought to the Court of Allah who will command the Angels to take them to Heaven."  The two persons will say, "O Lord! How do we deserve Heaven when we have not done such acts to qualify us for it." Allah will say, "Go to Heaven, I have taken a pledge that whosoever possesses the names Ahmad or Muhammad will not be sent to Hell."

Sayyiduna Jaabir bin Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that a child was born to a person amongst us & he gave him the name of Muhammad. Thereupon, his people said: "We will not allow you to give the name of Muhammad (to your child) after the name of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)." He set forth with his son carrying him on his back & came to Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & said: "Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), a son has been born to me & I gave him the name after the name of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)." Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Give him my name but do not give him my Kun'niyya, for I am Qaasim in the sense that I distribute (the spoils of war) & the dues of Zakaah amongst you." (Muslim)