Your child is seven days old. You’ve been busy with visitors, recovery, announcements, and celebrations. But there’s something the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ commanded you to do on this exact day. Something with authentic hadith backing it. Something that’s your child’s right upon you.
Have you done it? Or have you dismissed it as “just culture” and moved on?
The Aqeeqah Your Child Is Waiting For
Salman bin Amir Ad-Dabbi reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and authenticated by scholars across the Ummah: The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every child is in pledge for his Aqiqah, which should be slaughtered for him on the seventh day, and he should be shaved and given a name.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 2838, Tirmidhi 1522)
“In pledge”—the Arabic word is murtahin, which means held as collateral. Like something pawned that cannot be released until a debt is paid. Your child, according to this authentic prophetic statement, is held in spiritual pledge until you perform their aqeeqah.
This isn’t a suggestion. This isn’t cultural tradition that varies by region. This is authenticated Sunnah from the mouth of the Prophet ﷺ himself, preserved in the most reliable hadith collections.
Aisha (RA) reported in Sunan Ibn Majah (3163), authenticated by scholars:
“The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to slaughter two sheep for a boy and one for a girl.”
Two sheep for a male child. One sheep for a female child. On the seventh day after birth. That’s the Sunnah. That’s what the Prophet ﷺ practiced for his own grandsons Hassan and Hussain (RA).
Not on the first month birthday celebration. Not when it’s “convenient.” Not when you have money saved up for a big party. The seventh day—as the authentic hadith explicitly states.
“But It’s Expensive”
You found money for the hospital bills. You found money for baby clothes and furniture and toys and announcements. You found money for the celebration meal for visitors. You found money for everything else.
But for the Sunnah the Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded—authenticated in multiple hadith collections—suddenly you can’t find the resources?
The scholars explain: If you genuinely cannot afford it on the seventh day, you can delay until you have the means. The 14th day, the 21st day, whenever Allah provides. But examine your priorities honestly. Are you truly unable? Or are you just unwilling because you don’t see the value?
The Prophet ﷺ performed aqeeqah for Hassan and Hussain (RA) himself. He, who received revelation directly from Allah, who knew the unseen wisdom in every practice, deemed this important enough to do personally for his grandsons.
What does that tell you about its significance?
The Wisdom You’re Missing
It’s a form of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a child. You asked Allah for this baby. You made dua during pregnancy. You called on Him during delivery. He gave you what you asked for. Aqeeqah is thanking Him through sacrifice and charity.
It’s protection for the child. The scholars mention that aqeeqah serves as expiation, removing harm and difficulties the child might face. It’s spiritual protection you’re providing through following prophetic guidance.
It’s charity that benefits your community. The meat is distributed—some to family, some to neighbors, some to the poor. Your child’s arrival becomes a source of blessing for others, not just your private joy.
It establishes the child’s Islamic identity from day one. You’re announcing: this child is Muslim. Born into a Muslim family that follows prophetic tradition. This matters.
How to Perform It Correctly
The Animal: Must meet the same conditions as Eid sacrifice—healthy, proper age, free from major defects. A sheep or goat is standard. Two for a boy, one for a girl.
The Timing: Seventh day is best. If impossible, the 14th or 21st day. If still impossible, whenever you’re able—the obligation doesn’t vanish because time passed.
The Distribution: Scholars recommend dividing the meat among family (to eat), neighbors (as gifts), and the poor (as charity). No fixed ratio is required—the goal is that all three groups benefit.
The Shaving: The baby’s head is shaved on the seventh day. Then charity equal to the weight of that hair in silver is given to the poor. This is separate from the animal sacrifice.
The Naming: If you haven’t named the child yet, the seventh day is when it’s done. Though naming can be earlier (even on the first day, as some authentic reports show).
The Circumcision They Need
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (5889) and Sahih Muslim (257): The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Five things are from the Fitrah (natural disposition): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, plucking armpit hair, cutting the nails, and trimming the mustache.”
Circumcision—khitan in Arabic—is explicitly part of the Fitrah. The natural state Allah wants for humans. The scholars categorize it as either obligatory (wajib) or confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), with the majority leaning toward obligation for males.
This isn’t “genital mutilation” as some ignorant people claim. This is an authenticated religious practice with health benefits recognized even by modern medicine: reduced infection risk, easier hygiene, lower STD transmission rates.
The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) circumcised himself at 80 years old, according to authentic reports. That’s how important this practice is—one of the great prophets did it to himself as an elderly man to fulfill this command.
Your son? You’re having it done when he’s a baby, when recovery is quickest and memory of pain doesn’t last. That’s mercy, not cruelty.
When to Do It
The scholars differ on the optimal timing:
Some say within the first week after birth, when the baby heals fastest.
Others say wait until the child is older—some say seven years, others say before puberty.
The consensus: It should be done before puberty, as delaying it past that becomes increasingly problematic for the obligation and the procedure itself.
Most Muslim communities have established practices—some do it on the seventh day with aqeeqah, others wait until the child is a few years old. Consult knowledgeable local scholars about what’s best for your situation, but don’t delay it indefinitely out of negligence.
“These Are Just Cultural Practices”
No. These are authenticated Sunnah with chains of transmission going back to the Prophet ﷺ himself. Preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah—the most reliable hadith collections in existence.
Culture varies by region. Sunnah is universal for all Muslims.
When you dismiss aqeeqah and circumcision as “just culture,” you’re dismissing explicit commands and teachings from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. You’re saying: “I know better than the Messenger of Allah what my child needs.”
Do you really want to take that position?
Your Child’s Rights Upon You
In Islam, children have rights over their parents that must be fulfilled:
The right to life—you don’t abort them, neglect them, or harm them.
The right to a good name—you give them names with good meanings, not vulgar or shameful names.
The right to proper nutrition and care—you feed them, clothe them, shelter them.
The right to Islamic upbringing—you teach them about Allah, prayer, Quran, and Islamic manners.
The right to their Sunnah practices—including aqeeqah and circumcision.
You can’t pick and choose. You can’t say: “I’ll do the easy parts but skip the parts that cost money or require effort.”
The Prophet ﷺ will ask you on Judgment Day: “What did you do with the child I entrusted to you? Did you fulfill their rights? Did you follow my guidance in raising them?”
What will your answer be?
Start Now
If your child already passed the seventh day and you haven’t done aqeeqah—do it now. Better late than never. The obligation remains until fulfilled.
If you have a son who isn’t circumcised yet—arrange it. Find a knowledgeable, skilled practitioner. Get it done properly according to Islamic guidelines.
Don’t let laziness, neglect, or dismissiveness make you abandon authenticated prophetic practices. These aren’t optional extras for “really religious” people. These are established Sunnah that the Prophet ﷺ commanded, practiced, and taught.
Your child deserves that you follow what the Prophet ﷺ taught about their care. They deserve that you fulfill their rights from day one.
Stop making excuses. Stop dismissing Sunnah as “culture.” Stop prioritizing everything else while neglecting what matters most.
Follow the guidance. Perform the aqeeqah. Arrange the circumcision. Give your child their Islamic rights from the very beginning of their life.
Because on Judgment Day, when you’re asked about the trust Allah gave you—these children—you’ll wish you had taken these authenticated practices more seriously.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in presenting authentic hadith from Sahih collections and scholarly interpretations, readers are strongly advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars in their local area for specific rulings, proper procedures, and medical considerations regarding aqeeqah and circumcision. The content reflects understanding drawn from classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship and should not replace personal consultation with knowledgeable religious and medical authorities.