What is the qurban in islam? What is the aqiqa qurban in shafii?
The word aqiqa lexically means the hairs of a newborn baby. As for terminological meaning of aqiqa, it refers to the qurban that is slaughtered out of gratitude to Allah the Almighty for the birth of a newborn baby. It is also called “nasika”.
It is emphatically enjoined upon those who have a new baby to sacrifice an aqiqa qurban. It is recommended to sacrifice the aqiqa qurban on the seventh day after the birth. The day that the child was born is included into the count of the seven days. It is recommended that the child’s hair is cut; that a nice name is given to the baby; that gold, if possible, and silver, if it is not possible, in the extent of the weight of the baby’s hair is given as charity to the poor on the same day.[1]
The aqiqa qurban for a child can be offered by the person who is responsible for his/her support until the child reaches the age of puberty. If it is not slaughtered until the age of puberty, the aqiqa can also be offered as sacrifice by the child himself/herself.
If it is possible, one offers two aqiqa qurbans for a boy and one aqiqa for a girl. It is reported that Aisha (r.anha) said, “Two sheep or goats equal to each other are sacrificed for a boy and one sheep or goat is sacrificed for a girl as aqiqa.”[2] However, there are narrations that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) sacrificed one ram for Hasan and one ram for Husayn. It is narrated that Abdullah b. Abbas (r.a.) said, “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sacrificed a ram for both al-Hasan and al-Husayn each (Allah be pleased with them). “[3]
When slaughtering aqiqa, one says, “Bismillahi wallahu akbar. Allahumma hadha minka wa ilayka. Allahumma hadhihi aqiqatu fulan.” Meaning: (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. This is from You and to You. This is the aqiqa for so and so.”)
Aqiqa qurban can be slaughter any time during the year, while the regular qurban is sacrificed only in the Festival of Sacrifice. The conditions required for the animal, which will be offered as qurban, is also required for the animal that will be sacrificed as aqiqa.
It is reprehensible to smear the blood of the qurban on the child’s forehead. Just like udhiya, the meat of the aqiqa qurban can be eaten, given as charity, but can never be sold. It is recommended to cut the meat and organs of the animal without breaking its bones because it is like a supplication that the child has a safe and sound life. Sending the meat to the poor is better than inviting them to eat it.
[1] Al-Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj, 6/295
[2] Al-Darimi, Adahi, 4
[3] Abu Dawud, Dahaya, 21