Aqiqa and Tahnik - العقيقة

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The subject under discussion here deals with two important Sunnah of our beloved Prophet, related to new born babies in a Muslim family.

"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, leave it. And fear Allah: truly Allah is severe in punishment. " [Qur'an 59:7] 

Tahnik

Tahnik is the process of chewing some sweet food (for e.g. dates, honey etc.) and inserting it into the baby’s mouth, rubbing the baby’s chin to train it to eat, pronouncing Adhan in the ear of a baby and giving name to the child.

The first thing to understand for us is that this whole process is called Tahnik, and we have to adopt full process to complete the Sunnah; it can’t be that we do some and leave some. Let us see some hadith supporting these acts:

Narrated Abu Musa (RA): A son was born to me and I took him to the Prophet (PBUH) who named him Ibrahim, did Tahnik for him with a date, invoked Allah to bless him and returned him to me. (The narrator added: That was Abu Musa’s eldest son).

(Hadith No. 1514, Chapters on Sacrifice, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3).

In another narration,

Ubaidullah bin Abi Rāfi narrated that his father said: I saw Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) say theAdhan in the ear of Al-Hasan bin Ali (RA), when he was born to Fatima (RA) – the Adhan of Salat.

(Hadith No. 1514, Chapters on Sacrifice, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3).

Some scholars consider this hadith as weak. However, Imam Tirmidhi says that this hadith is (Hasan) Sahih, and is acted upon.

Aqiqa

Several definitions prevail about Aqiqa. According to some, Aqiqa is the hair on the head of a newly born baby. This hair is shaved and therefore comes the term Aqiqa. According to others, Aqiqa is the sacrificing of one or two sheep (or lambs or goats etc.) on the occasion of birth of a child, as a token of gratitude to Allah. So, we take both the definitions as a complete definition of Aqiqa (i.e. sacrificing an animal and shaving off the hair of the baby). In some instances, silver, equal in weight to the hair of the child, is also recommended to be given in charity, in Aqiqa, for those who can afford to do so.

Aqiqa is highly recommended Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH). Let us study this under different sub-headings for a proper understanding of the subject.

1. Aqiqa relieves the new born from sufferings.

Narrated Salman bin Amir Ad-Dabbi: I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) saying: “Aqiqa is to be offered for a (newly born) boy, so slaughter (an animal) for him, and relieve him of his suffering.”

(Hadith No. 5472, Book of Aqiqa, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7).

2. How early should Aqiqa be done for the new born?

Samurah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The boy is mortgaged by his Aqiqa; slaughtering should be done for him on the seventh day, he should be given a name, and his head should be shaved.”  (Sahih)

(Another chain) with similar meaning.

[Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. This is acted upon according to the people of knowledge. They consider it recommended that the 'Aqiqah be done for the boy on the seventh day. If it is not possible on the seventh day then it is done on the fourteenth day. If that is not possible, then an 'Aqiqah is done for him on the twenty-first day. And they say that no sheep is acceptable for 'Aqiqah which is not acceptable for Udhiyah.

(Hadith No. 1522, Chapters on Sacrifice, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3).

shave the head of the baby and give silver as charity ( sadqa) of the weight of the hair

Yahya related to me from Malik from Jafar ibn Muhammad that his father said, "Fatima, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, weighed the hair of Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum, and gave away in sadaqa an equivalent weight of silver."

(Hadith 1071, Book of Aqiqa, Al-Muwatta, Chapter 26)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Rabia ibn Abi Abd ar-Rahman that Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn said, "Fatima, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, weighed the hair of Hasan and Husayn, and gave away in sadaqa the equivalent weight in silver.
(Hadith 1072, Book of Aqiqa, Al-Muwatta, Chapter 26)

Muhammad bin 'Ali bin Al-Husain narrated that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said: "The Messenger of Allah had the 'Aqiqah for Al-Hasan with one sheep, and said: 'O Fatimah! Shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver as charity." [He said:] "So I weighed it, and it was the weight of a Dirham or a bit of a Dirham." (Hasan)

(Hadith No. 1519, Jami At-Tirmidhi Vol. 3, Chapter 19)

It was reported from 'Abdullah bin Buraidah who said: "I heard my father, Buraidah, saying: 'During Jahiliyyah, if a boy was born to one of us, we sacrificed a sheep and smeared his head with its blood. When Allah brought Islam, we would sacrifice a sheep, and we would shave his head, and smear saffron on it." (Hasan)

(Hadith No. 2843, Chapters on Sacrifice, Sunan abu dawud, Vol. 3).

3. How many animals are to be sacrificed at the time of Aqiqa?

Yusuf bin Mahak narrated that they entered upon Hafsah bint Abdur Rahman to ask her about Aqiqa. She informed them that Aishah (RA) had informed her that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) ordered them that for a boy two sheep were sufficient, and for a girl one sheep.”

(Hadith No. 1513, Chapters on Sacrifice, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3).

The narration mentioned above tells us that Aqiqa is to be done not only for a newly born baby boy, but it is also to be done for newly born baby girl as well.

There is a consensus among all the scholars that two sheep (or any small animal like a goat or a lamb) are to be sacrificed for a boy and one sheep for a girl. Further, if a bigger animal (like a cow or a camel or a buffalo etc.) is to be sacrificed for Aqiqa, then it covers seven parts: two parts for a boy and one part for a girl. For example: a cow can be sacrificed for Aqiqa of 7 girls, but it can only be sacrificed for Aqiqa of 3 boys (& a half) or two cows can be sacrificed for Aqiqa of 7 boys.

4. Clarification of a common myth

Most of us believe that the goat or a sheep to be sacrificed for a boy should be a male sheep, and the animal to be sacrificed for a girl should be a female sheep (or a goat). This is a not correct. The gender of the animal to be sacrificed is not at all the criterion. Refer to following hadith:

Umm Kurz narrated that she asked Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) about Aqiqa. He said, “For a boy is two sheep, and for a girl is one; it will not harm you if they (i.e. the sheep) are male or female.”

(Hadith No. 1516, Chapters on Sacrifice, Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3).

5. Naming the newborn 

'Amr bin Shu'aib narrated from his father, from his grandfather that the Prophet ordered naming the child on the seventh day, removing the harm from him, and Al-Aqq (Removing the hair and slaughtering the animal for the 'Aqiqah). (Sahih)
Hadith 2833, 64. Chapters On Manners, Jami` at-Tirmidhi

It is the responsibility of the parents to name the newborn with a good name. What are good names? Islamically, the prophet said that the best and most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah & Abdul Rahman (Muslim) 

 It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Prophet said: "The most beloved of names to Allah are 'Abdullah and 'Abdur-Rahman." (Sahih)

(Hadith 3728, Chapters On Etiquette, Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapter 26)

Hadith 3067, 64. Chapters On Manners, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 

Any name whereby one declares his subjugation to one of the many attributes of Allah, like Abddus-Shukoor,  Abdul-Maalik,  Abdur-Razzaak,  Abdul-Khaalik, etc.  are considered good Islamic names.

Then there are the names of any of the Prophets of Allah like Adam,  Nooh,  Ibraheem,  Moosa,  Yahya,  Isa,  Idrees,  Sulaimaan,  Dawood,  Mohamed,  etc.   Any of these names are good names for boys.
And then there are the hundreds if not thousands of names of the noble companions of the Last Messenger of Allah (saws) like Abu Bakr,  Umar,  Uthman,  Ali,  Bilaal,  Salmaan,  Hudhaifa,  Khalid,  Ammaar,   Yaasir,  etc.   Any of these names will be considered good Islamic names.
For a female,  one can use the names of any of the wives or mothers or daughters of the Prophets;  like Sarah,  Hajrah,  Maryam,  Aisha,   Fatemah,  Zainab,  Safeeyah, Hafsah, etc.
The deen of Islam is rich in history… from the times of Prophet Adam (a.s.) to the present day…  And any good name of any of the God-fearing and pious slaves of Allah would make for a good Islamic name for the new born.

Concluding Remarks

Tahnik & Aqiqa are two highly recommended Sunnah acts associated with newly born Muslim children. It is our duty that we ensure that these Sunnah acts are done for our kids in a complete manner. And we should try to do it at the recommended stage (i.e. by seventh day) under normal circumstances.

There is no harm in arranging a gathering and inviting people over a meal as a part of celebration ofAqiqa, as eating the meat of sacrifice is allowed. But while doing so, the spirit and the sanctity of Aqiqashould be observed; and the food should also reach the people who deserve it most (i.e. the poor, and/or the orphans and/or the wayfarers etc.), along with the other invitees.

Sacrificing an animal for Aqiqa is not an obligation upon Muslims who are financially weak and cannot afford to do so. But other aspects of Aqiqa & Tahnik which do not require expenditure (like shaving off the hair, naming the child, chewing a date and putting in the baby’s mouth etc.) should be completed.

It is very sad to see that one part of Muslim population has ignored the importance & significance ofTahnik & Aqiqa, owing to their increased adoption of western culture. They pay more attention to celebrations associated with cultures of Non-Muslims (like birthdays, valentine’s day, marriage anniversaries etc.). On the other hand, another part of Muslims (who are far from western culture) transgress the limits of religion and go to other extreme. For them, observing death anniversaries is important; keeping the so-called sanctity of tenth, twentieth, fortieth day etc. of a death (i.e. daswa,beeswa, chaleeswa etc. of a deceased) is important; but Aqiqa is not so.

Let us wake up. All these anniversaries, observing chaleeswa etc. of the deceased are bida’a, prohibited in Islam. Whereas, Aqiqa & Tahnik are Sunnah, recommended in Islam.

Let us live the Sunnah way.

And Allah knows best.

May Allah forgive me if I am wrong and guide us to the right path…Ameen.

http://www.quranandhadith.com/aqiqa-and-tahnik/

The rite of the Aqiqah sacrifice is a Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) and is as done follows:

Sacrifice of  two sheeps or goats if boy, and one sheep or goat if girl on the 7th day after the birth of the baby.

After the Aqiqah on 7th day, assign a good name to the baby.

Shave the head and give weight of hair in silver as sadaqa (charity).

Eat the meat yourself and distribute to friends/family and needy.

It has been reported that the Prophet (saws) said this dua at the time of aqiqa (there is none from Quran): Allah humma hada minka wa lak.  (O Allah, this (sacrifice animal) is from you and for you.)

At the time of ‘zabiha’ the dua should be: “Bismillah Allah-o-Akbar” (In the name of Allah; Allah is the Most Great.)

Satan enters children at birth

Narrated Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab: Abu Huraira said, "I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'There is none born among the off-spring of Adam, but Satan touches it. A child therefore, cries loudly at the time of birth because of the touch of Satan, except Mary and her child." Then Abu Huraira recited: "And I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from the outcast Satan" (3.36)
Sahih al-Bukhari 3431, Book of the stories of the prophets


Fatwa:
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