The Committed Believer · Sacrifice & the Newborn

Udhiyah and Aqeeqah Priorities & Practices

Explore priorities in udhiyah, combining practices, and newborn rituals.

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1. What happens if someone could afford udhiyah but did not offer it for several past years?

  • They missed reward, but they do not have to make up past years unless they had made a vow. (correct answer)
  • They must make up every missed udhiyah.
  • They committed a major sin in every case.
  • They must offer a smaller sacrifice as compensation.

Why

Udhiyah is Sunnah mu’akkadah for the one who can afford it, according to the correct view cited, and there is no sin on the one who does not offer it. If someone did not offer udhiyah in past years, they missed a great reward, but they do not have to make up those years because the time for the voluntary sacrifice has passed. The exception is if the person had made a vow to offer a sacrifice; in that case, fulfilling the vow is obligatory.

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2. If a close relative is seriously ill and urgently needs treatment, what may take priority over offering udhiyah?

  • Helping the relative with treatment and medicine. (correct answer)
  • Ignoring the relative until after Eid.
  • Offering udhiyah in every case, even if no one else can help.
  • Waiting until the relative recovers without assisting.

Why

The basic principle is that offering udhiyah is better than giving its price in charity, because sacrifice is a ritual by which a person draws closer to Allah and keeps one of the symbols of Islam alive. However, if a close relative is poor, seriously ill, urgently needs treatment or medicine, and no one else can help, then helping that relative takes priority. This is an exception based on urgent need, not a general replacement of udhiyah with charity.

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3. What reason is given by scholars who allow one animal to count for both udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah?

  • Both are sacrifices by which a person draws closer to Allah. (correct answer)
  • The only purpose is to save money.
  • All scholars agreed that combining them is required.
  • ‘Aqeeqah is not connected to sacrifice at all.

Why

Scholars differed about combining udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah in one animal. Some held that each sacrifice is done for its own reason and one cannot replace the other. Others allowed combining them when their times coincide, because both involve drawing closer to Allah through sacrifice. According to that view, if a person intends one sacrifice for both udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah, it may count for both. This should be presented as a scholarly difference, not as unanimous agreement.

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4. What is indicated about the Prophet’s ﷺ practice regarding udhiyah?

  • He was keen to offer udhiyah regularly, while on the Farewell Hajj he offered hadiy instead. (correct answer)
  • He offered udhiyah only once in his life.
  • He offered udhiyah twice every year.
  • He never offered udhiyah when travelling.

Why

A report says that the Prophet ﷺ stayed in Madinah for ten years and offered udhiyah every year, though the source notes weakness in that chain. Other evidence shows that he was very keen on udhiyah and even offered it while travelling. Scholars also stated that he used to offer udhiyah every year. The important nuance is that during the Farewell Hajj, what was prescribed for him was hadiy, not udhiyah.

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5. What is one recommended practice connected to a newborn baby’s head?

  • Shave the head and give charity equal to the weight of the hair. (correct answer)
  • Leave the hair untouched as an act of worship.
  • Dye the hair before naming the baby.
  • Give charity only if the hair is weighed exactly.

Why

Among the practices mentioned for welcoming a newborn are tahneek, making du‘a, naming the child, ‘aqeeqah, circumcision for boys, adhan in the right ear according to scholars who mentioned it, and shaving the child’s head. After shaving, it is prescribed to give charity equal to the weight of the hair in gold or silver. If weighing the hair is difficult, the weight may be estimated and its value given in currency.

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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.

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