QnA snapshots: The rules of Aqeeqah (1/9)

Aqeeqa should be carried out on the seventh day bearing in mind how one calculates the seventh day. If a baby was born during the day on a Thursday for example, the seventh day would be the next Wednesday. If a baby was born on the night of Friday for example, then the seventh day is calculated as the next Thursday and for clarity’s sake if a baby was born on Monday then the seventh day is calculated as the next Sunday. One must take cognisance of the fact that in Islam the night precedes the day. Sunset serves as the ushering in of a new day. When we speak about the slaughtering of animals it is important to take note that some animals must be slaughtered in a particular place and particular time. An example, people performing Hajj who have to slaughter the hadi, referred to as such because one has to guide the animal to a particular place. When one performs tamattu or kiraan Hajj the animal has to be slaughtered in Makkah or Mina, in the Haram area. In this case the place and the time are specified, that is one has to slaughter on the 10th, 11th, 12th of Zul Hijjah. For the slaughter of some animals, only the time has been specified. Udhiya – Qurbani has to be slaughtered on the 10th, 11th, 12th of Zul Hijjah – the Shafi madhab includes the 13th – but can be done anywhere in the world. This particular slaughtering is referred to as Udhiya because slaughtering usually takes place at Duha, at around 10am or 11am when the sun is at its zenith. There is also the case where one can slaughter an animal any time during the year but it must be done in a particular place. dham, the penalty paid for a crime one commits while in the state of Ihraam can be slaughtered at any time of the year but must be slaughtered in the precincts of the Haram. Aqeeqa can be slaughtered anywhere and at any time. It is Sunnah that it is done on the seventh day. If it cannot be done on the seventh day for financial reasons for example, then it can be done later.