Fatwa ID: 01739

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

What should I do now if I did not perform aqeqa on time due to my financial condition? I have 3 children, boy 11 years, girl 8 years, boy 17 months

 Answer:

The performance of aqiqah is highly encouraged.  It is to be performed by the parents or the guardian of the child.

The Prophet of Allah has said that a child is pledged to its aqiqah which is sacrificed on behalf of the child on the seventh day when it is given a name and the hair is shaved off its head.  (Sunan Tirmizi p.278 v.1)

Aqiqah should be performed on the seventh day of the birth of the child and if not done on the seventh day then whenever it is done, it should be on the next seventh day and so on.  (Ibid)

One can do aqiqah even though the child has reached puberty.  (Ahsanul Fatawa p.536 v.7) Similarly, scholars like Molana Anwar Shah Kashmiri is of the view that aqiqah can be done even up to ones death. (Faidhul Bari p.337 v.4)

Regarding your situation, if you do have the financial means now it is desirable that you perform the aqiqah. However, if you don’t, then as it is something encouraged there is no sin in not performing it. 

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birminghah