The Committed Believer · Sacrifice & the Newborn

Udhiyah and Aqeeqah Rulings

Explore rulings on newborn rituals, sacrificial practices, and related Islamic guidelines.

8 questions · Medium · about 5 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

8 questions, about 5 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 8 questions.

1. What is recommended for a newborn boy’s hair on the seventh day?

  • Shave his head. (correct answer)
  • Leave his hair untouched as a rule.
  • Trim only a small lock of hair.
  • Dye the hair before naming him.

Why

The hadith mentions that the boy’s ‘aqeeqah is slaughtered on the seventh day, he is named, and his head is shaved. This indicates that shaving the newborn boy’s head is recommended. Scholars differed about shaving a newborn girl’s head: the Maalikis and Shaafa‘is allowed it by analogy, while the Hanbalis held that it should not be done because there is no authentic report specifically concerning girls and because women are generally not to shave their heads without need.

View source on IslamQA →

2. What is the ruling on holding a feast for a baby boy’s circumcision?

  • It is permissible and encouraged as feeding and gratitude. (correct answer)
  • It is obligatory.
  • It is forbidden in all cases.
  • It is a religious festival equal to Eid.

Why

There is nothing wrong with giving a feast on the occasion of a baby boy’s circumcision as an expression of joy, gratitude, and recognition of Allah’s blessing. Scholars mentioned that invitations other than wedding feasts, such as circumcision invitations, are encouraged because they involve feeding people and bringing happiness. However, the source also notes that there is no specific special virtue text for this particular feast; the reward is hoped for through gratitude, feeding others, and good intention.

View source on IslamQA →

3. May parents eat from their child’s ‘aqeeqah?

  • Yes, they may eat from it and give some to others. (correct answer)
  • No, all of it must be given away.
  • Only after a full month has passed.
  • Only if the child’s head is shaved first.

Why

Parents may eat from the ‘aqeeqah and may distribute some of it to the poor, neighbours, relatives, and friends. The meat may be distributed raw or cooked, and the family may invite people to eat from it. The Sunnah is to slaughter the ‘aqeeqah and shave the child’s head on the seventh day, but if the naming, slaughtering, or shaving occurs on another day, or if the slaughtering and shaving happen on different days, there is nothing wrong with that.

View source on IslamQA →

4. Why may some ‘aqeeqah meat be used for fidyah or kaffarah?

  • Because the meat remains owned by the one who offered the ‘aqeeqah and may be disposed of. (correct answer)
  • Because ‘aqeeqah is exactly the same as udhiyah in every ruling.
  • Because none of the ‘aqeeqah may be eaten by the family.
  • Because fidyah is never connected to feeding poor people.

Why

Some ‘aqeeqah meat may be used to feed poor people as fidyah for not fasting or as kaffarah for breaking an oath, when the conditions of that fidyah or kaffarah apply. This is because the ‘aqeeqah meat remains in the ownership of the one who offered it and may be used in various permissible ways. This differs from udhiyah, parts of which may not be sold for personal gain after being singled out as a sacrifice. The source explains that ‘aqeeqah is prescribed on a happy occasion and is closer in this respect to a waleemah.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What happens if a sacrificial animal becomes damaged after being chosen, without any wrongdoing or negligence by the owner?

  • It may still be slaughtered and counted as a sacrifice. (correct answer)
  • It must always be sold and replaced.
  • It becomes ordinary meat and cannot be used.
  • The owner is sinful even without negligence.

Why

If a person selects or buys an animal for sacrifice and it later becomes damaged without any wrongdoing or negligence on the owner’s part, then it may still be slaughtered at the proper time and counted as the sacrifice. The owner does not have to replace it because the animal was a trust in his care and the damage occurred without his fault. But if the damage was caused by the owner’s wrongdoing or negligence, then he must replace it with an animal that is the same or better.

View source on IslamQA →

6. Why is it forbidden to make sacrificial animals fight one another?

  • It harms the animals. (correct answer)
  • It makes the animals too expensive.
  • It prevents people from eating the meat.
  • It is allowed if no money is involved.

Why

It is not permissible to provoke animals to fight one another, whether or not they have been set aside for udhiyah, because this harms them. Once an animal has been earmarked for sacrifice, it becomes a trust in the owner’s care and should be protected from harm. The sacrificial animal is connected to one of the symbols of Allah, so it should not be mocked, treated as entertainment, or used for cruel games.

View source on IslamQA →

7. What is the best animal to offer as a sacrifice according to the preference order cited?

  • A camel. (correct answer)
  • A share in a cow.
  • A chicken.
  • Any animal, with no preference.

Why

The cited preference order is: a camel, then a cow, then a sheep, then a share in a camel or cow. A camel is preferred because it is more valuable and more useful. A sheep is better than merely taking a share in a larger animal, because the aim of sacrifice includes shedding blood. Some scholars differed, but the cited view gives preference to the animal that is greater in value and benefit.

View source on IslamQA →

8. What share of a camel or cow is equivalent to one sheep for udhiyah?

  • One-seventh. (correct answer)
  • One-third.
  • One-half.
  • One-tenth.

Why

One sheep or goat may be offered on behalf of a man and his household. One-seventh of a camel or cow takes the place of one sheep, so a person may offer one-seventh of a camel or cow on behalf of himself and his family. Up to seven people may share in one camel or cow, and eight or more is not sufficient. This ruling is based on the similarity between hadiy and udhiyah in this matter.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Sacrifice & the Newborn

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.