Aqiqah is a sunnah associated with child birth; the word in Arabic means sacrifice; for the sunnah involves sacrificing a goat or lamb and donating the meat in charity or making a feast to feed the poor and friends. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Every new born is mortgaged to its aqiqah: On the seventh day a sacrifice is performed on its behalf, a name is given, and its head is shaved.” It is a continuation of the legacy of the great Prophet Ibrahim, upon whom be peace; the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, came to revive the pure monotheism of his ancestor-father, Ibrahim, upon whom be peace.
Through this ritual we express thanks to Allah for His most wonderful gift of a new born; it also an opportunity to share the joy with fellow humans just as it accords an opportunity to empathize with the poor and needy and share God’s gifts with them.
For further information see answers to the questions #64, and # 648 on this site. You can search it by typing the key word aqiqah.
