Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Salam-ale-kum. I have read the chapter  on Aqiqa. My question is that a baby girl was to my daughter in Kuwait and she is now living in Kuwait with her husband. Is it customary according to Islamic rites that the hands of the new born baby  must touch the animal ? Moreover she want the animal to sacrified in  India, where there are many poor and needy and can she perform on the baby's behalf in India, while the child is in Kuwait ? Her father-in-law is India, he can do the needful. Further Is it necessary to sacrifice the animal and instead she can  distribute the money value of the animal to the needy and poor in India ? Your esteemed advice according to Islam is appreciated. Allah Hafiz.

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Answer:

Aqiqah elsewhere

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.

Your Question: Is it customary according to Islamic rites that the hands of the new born baby  must touch the animal ?

There is absolutely nothing in the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) which dictates or allows this ritual whereby the hands of the new born baby must touch the animal or its blood, etc.  This ritual or act whereby one believes that it is necessary or is an Islamic rite for the baby to touch the sacrificial animal or its blood is an innovation in the deen, and must be avoided by the believers who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.

Your Question: Moreover she want the animal to sacrified in  India, where there are many poor and needy and can she perform on the baby's behalf in India, while the child is in Kuwait?

It is the preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) for the parents to offer an ‘aqiqah’ sacrifice as a sign of being grateful for the Mercy and Grace of their Lord at the birth of a baby.  Although it would be best and preferred to offer the sacrifice and consume and distribute the meat in the society or community where one resides; but if for any reason one finds it difficult to offer the sacrifice where one resides and wishes to offer it in another nation, there is absolutely no restriction and no harm. 

Your Question: Further Is it necessary to sacrifice the animal and instead she can  distribute the money value of the animal to the needy and poor in India ?

Just as prayers, zakah, sadaqah, etc. are specific acts of worship, offerring a sacrifice in the name of Allah Subhanah is considered a specific act of worship in Islam; and it would neither be appropriate nor in accordance with the Sunnah to substitute the sacrifice and offer its value in money or anything else. 

It would be in accordance with the Sunnah to offer a sacrifice in the name of Allah at the birth of their child as a sign of their gratitude at the Mercy and Grace of their Lord Most Gracious; and if one wishes to earn further reward, one may further distribute ‘sadaqah’ amongst the poor and the needy for the Pleasure of their Lord.  But to substitute the worship of offering a sacrifice and distribute only money would not be appropriate nor in accordance with the Sunnah or Way of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan