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:

One of my Colleague wants some Clarification regarding Aqeeqa.

He is working in Saudi Arabia. Recently he became father of a Babyboy. Due to his unavailability at hometown he has not performed the Aqeeqa sunnah.

His questions are Q1. As Bakrid is in due to arrive, Can i give a Cow in which out of 7 shares, 5 for Bakrid Qurbani and 2shares for Aqeeqa Sacrifice in the same cow.

Q2. if so the above mentioned distribution of 7 shares in a cow are allowed what is supposed to be the Niyyat or intention at the time of Slaughtering.

Q3.if suppose for a child, 7th day (i.e Aqeeqa function) is falling exactly on the day of Bakrid, in this case either Aqeeqa function is to be given more preference or Bakrid Qurbani. If a person has the capability of doing both the functions what are the possibilities he can opt?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Sacririce for aqiqa and eid together

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: As Bakrid is in due to arrive, Can i give a Cow in which out of 7 shares, 5 for Bakrid Qurbani and 2shares for Aqeeqa Sacrifice in the same cow.

One is at liberty to sacrifice as many camels, or cows (cattle), or sheep on the Day of Adha, or even a share of a camel or a cow (cattle) if they so wish…..but the absolute majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that the preferred Sunnah and practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) in fulfilling the ‘aqeeqa’ was to slaughter sheep or ram.

The ‘aqeeqa’ for the new born boy and the ‘qurbani’ of Eid al-Adha are two distinct occasions, thus one should make two separate sacrifices.  One may offer a cow (or even a share of the cow) as ‘qurbani’ for the Day of Adha, and two sheeps or ram for the ‘aqeeqa’ of the baby boy; or one may offer one sheep or ram as ‘qurbani’ for Adha, and two sheeps or rams for the ‘aqeeqa’.  But it would not be permissible or from the Sunnah for one to offer one and the same animal as sacrifice for both, the ‘aqiqa’ as well as the ‘qurbani’ for the Eid ul Adha. And Allah Knows Best.

Q-3: if suppose for a child, 7th day (i.e Aqeeqa function) is falling exactly on the day of Bakrid, in this case either Aqeeqa function is to be given more preference or Bakrid Qurbani. If a person has the capability of doing both the functions what are the possibilities he can opt?

Both, the ‘aqeeqa’ and the ‘qurbani’ on the Day of Adha (for those not performing the Hajj) are Sunnah acts of worship, and thus both are voluntary. 

If both the Eid al-Adha and the day of ‘aqeeqa’ happen to coincide and Allah Subhanah has blessed one with abundance, it would obviously be best that one offered one (or more if they wish) animal as sacrifice for the Day of Adha, and two sheep or rams for the ‘aqeeqa’ of the baby boy.

But if one’s sustenance or budget is strained and one can only afford to offer only one of the two sacrifices, because ‘aqeeqa’ is once in a lifetime occasion….the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that one should prefer the ‘aqeeqa’ sacrifice for this year and make intention to offer the ‘qurbani’ on the Day of Adha in the following year, if Allah Wills. 

We wish to reiterate and clarify here that both the ‘aqeeqa’ and the ‘qurbani’ of the Day of Adha (for those who are not on the Hajj pilgrimage) are both Sunnah and thus voluntary…if one does the sacrifice/s, one would be eligible to receive a huge reward from their Lord for their obedience; and if for any reason one is unable to or chooses not to fulfill the sacrifice/s, there is no sin upon them.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan