19 June 2010. I have performed what is required as a muslim with a new born baby, 'Aqiqah. In simple terms, 'Aqiqah is defined as the "Islamic practice of shaving the head of the new born baby and contributing the weight in the value of gold for charity as well as slaughtering 2 lambs/goats (for baby male)." For a baby girl, one lamb/goat is slaughtered.
In slightly more detail, 'Aqiqah is a great Sunnah or the usual practice of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W., as the Prophet sacrificed goats for his grandsons Hassan and Hussain. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH also said, "Every child is mortgaged to his `Aqiqah."The ritual/ceremony marks thanks giving or praise to Allah S.W.T for the blessing of a new born baby.
The meat is distributed to the poor, or it can be used to arrange a feast to which the poor as well as relatives and friends are invited.It is also recommended that, on the day of 'Aqiqah, the child is given a good name, his/her head is shaved, and his/her hair is weighed and the equivalent in money of its weight in gold is given in charity. The priority is to family members or relatives in dire needs. If, for any reason, 'Aqiqah could not be done on the seventh day, it can be done on the fourteenth, twenty-first or whenever possible before the child reach puberty. Nonetheless, one should not unnecessarily delay it.
For further information, seek from those who are more knowledgeable.
Wallahu'alam...And Allah The All Knowing The Omniscient.
Location: Batu Pahat Johor
The slaughtering of two lambs aka 'Aqiqah:
The head shaving ritual:
Family Photo:
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