Aqiqah vs Qurbani: What You Need to Know About Islamic Sacrifice

Muslims perform two main types of animal sacrifice: Aqiqah and Qurbani. Many people confuse these rituals. Each serves a different purpose in Islamic tradition.

What is Aqiqah?

Aqiqah marks the birth of a child. Parents sacrifice an animal to thank Allah for their newborn. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed this Sunnah for his grandsons Hassan and Hussain.

The sacrifice happens on the seventh day after birth. Parents slaughter two sheep or goats for a boy. They sacrifice one animal for a girl. This practice follows the hadith recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud.

Aqiqah carries deep spiritual meaning. The sacrifice seeks Allah's protection for the child. It tells everyone in the community about the birth. The ritual also includes shaving the baby's head and giving Sadaqah equal to the weight of the hair in silver.

Parents can donate aqiqah online through trusted charities. This option helps families who cannot arrange the sacrifice locally. The meat reaches poor families in need.