Aqiqah for a Girl in Islam

The birth of a baby girl is a precious blessing from Allah. In Islam, parents are encouraged to express gratitude for the arrival of their newborn through aqiqah, an animal sacrifice performed on behalf of the child.

Aqiqah for a girl is a beautiful Sunnah that allows parents to thank Allah, welcome their daughter into the Muslim community and share food with relatives, neighbours and people in need.

According to the Sunnah, one sheep or goat is offered as aqiqah for a baby girl. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that two sheep may be offered for a boy and one sheep for a girl.

This guide explains the rules, timing and recommended practices for performing aqiqah for a girl in Islam.

What Is Aqiqah in Islam?

Aqiqah is the Islamic practice of sacrificing an eligible animal following the birth of a child.

It is performed as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of the newborn. It also provides an opportunity to feed family members, friends, neighbours and those in need.

Aqiqah is regarded by many Islamic scholars as an established or confirmed Sunnah rather than an obligatory act. Therefore, parents who are financially able are encouraged to perform it, while those who cannot afford it are not required to place themselves under financial hardship.

The Qur’an teaches Muslims to be grateful for Allah’s blessings:

“If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more.”

This teaching appears in Surah Ibrahim, verse 7.

How Many Animals Are Required for a Girl’s Aqiqah?

The Sunnah is to sacrifice:

• One sheep or goat for a baby girl
• Two sheep or goats for a baby boy

Umm Kurz reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that two sheep should be offered for a boy and one sheep for a girl. The narration also explains that the animal may be male or female.

Therefore, one suitable sheep or goat is sufficient for the aqiqah of a daughter.

The difference in the recommended number of animals does not mean that a boy is more valuable than a girl. Islam honours both sons and daughters, and parents should welcome, protect and raise every child with love and righteousness.

Is Aqiqah Compulsory for a Baby Girl?

Aqiqah is generally regarded as a confirmed Sunnah, not a compulsory obligation.

Parents are encouraged to perform it when they have the financial means. However, a family should not borrow money, enter financial difficulty or neglect essential household needs to arrange an aqiqah.

Allah does not burden a person beyond their ability. A parent who genuinely cannot afford the sacrifice is not sinful for leaving it.

The purpose of aqiqah is gratitude and worship, not social competition or an expensive celebration.

When Should Aqiqah for a Girl Be Performed?

The preferred time for aqiqah is the seventh day after the baby’s birth.

The seventh day is traditionally associated with:

• Performing the aqiqah
• Naming the child
• Shaving or trimming the newborn’s hair, according to the applicable scholarly view
• Giving charity
• Making dua for the child

Some scholars state that if the seventh day is missed, the aqiqah may be performed on the fourteenth or twenty-first day. When these dates are also missed, many scholars allow it to be completed later when the family is able.

Parents should consult a trusted local scholar if they are unsure how to calculate the seventh day or follow a particular school of Islamic jurisprudence.

Can Aqiqah Be Performed Later?

Yes. If parents cannot arrange the aqiqah on the seventh day because of financial, medical, travel or practical circumstances, it may generally be performed later.

Some scholarly opinions prefer the fourteenth or twenty-first day as the next options, while others permit aqiqah on any suitable later date.

A delayed aqiqah can still be performed with the sincere intention of following the Sunnah and thanking Allah for the child.

Parents should avoid delaying unnecessarily when they are already able to perform it, but they should also avoid feeling that the opportunity has been permanently lost.

What Type of Animal Can Be Used?

A sheep or goat is commonly used for aqiqah.

The animal should be:

• Healthy
• Free from serious defects
• Of an acceptable age
• Properly cared for
• Slaughtered according to Islamic requirements

An animal that is seriously sick, extremely weak, blind or badly injured should not be selected for the sacrifice.

The slaughter should be carried out humanely by a competent person following halal procedures.

Can a Female Animal Be Used?

Yes. The animal used for a girl’s aqiqah may be male or female.

The Prophet ﷺ stated that it does not matter whether the sacrificial sheep are male or female.

The important considerations are that the animal is suitable, healthy and slaughtered according to Islamic principles.

Who Is Responsible for Performing the Aqiqah?

The responsibility normally falls upon the person financially responsible for the child, usually the father.

However, another family member may arrange or pay for the aqiqah with the parents’ knowledge and agreement. For example, grandparents may wish to sponsor the aqiqah as a gift.

The intention should be made that the sacrifice is being performed as aqiqah for the named baby girl.

How Should Aqiqah Meat Be Distributed?

There is flexibility in how aqiqah meat is distributed.

The family may:

• Keep part of the meat
• Cook and serve it to relatives
• Give some to neighbours
• Distribute portions to friends
• Donate meat to people in need
• Arrange for cooked meals to be served

Some scholars state that aqiqah meat may be distributed either raw or cooked.

There is no requirement to organise a large gathering. A simple distribution of meat or meals is sufficient.

Families should avoid waste, extravagance and showing off. The celebration should remain centred on gratitude, charity and dua.

Can All the Aqiqah Meat Be Given to Charity?

Yes, the family may distribute a large amount or even all of the aqiqah meat to people in need.

However, sharing some with relatives, friends and neighbours can also strengthen family and community relationships.

Many families divide the meat between:

• Their household
• Relatives and neighbours
• Poor and vulnerable families

There is no universally fixed division that must be followed for aqiqah meat, so families have flexibility in choosing a beneficial method.

Can Aqiqah Be Performed in Another Country?

Aqiqah may be arranged in another country, particularly where the meat can support people facing poverty or food insecurity.

Parents may appoint a trusted charity, relative or organisation to purchase the animal, perform the halal slaughter and distribute the meat on their behalf.

Before choosing an aqiqah service, check that the organisation:

• Uses suitable animals
• Follows halal slaughter procedures
• Performs the sacrifice with the correct intention
• Distributes the meat responsibly
• Provides clear information about where the aqiqah takes place
• Does not make unsupported religious promises

The parents should provide the baby girl’s correct name and make a clear intention for her aqiqah.

Naming a Baby Girl on the Seventh Day

Naming the newborn is one of the recommended practices associated with welcoming a child.

Parents should choose a name with a good and honourable meaning. A Muslim girl’s name does not necessarily have to be Arabic, but it should not carry an offensive, idolatrous or inappropriate meaning.

Good names can remind a child of faith, noble character, modesty, patience and righteousness.

Parents may name their daughter before the seventh day if necessary. The naming does not depend on whether the aqiqah has already been performed.

Shaving a Baby Girl’s Hair

There are differences among scholars regarding shaving a baby girl’s hair.

Some scholars recommend shaving the hair of both male and female newborns, while others consider shaving to apply mainly to boys or advise against shaving a girl’s head.

Because recognised scholarly views differ, parents should consult a qualified scholar who understands their school of thought and local circumstances.

The baby’s safety must always come first. Parents should never shave a newborn’s hair in a way that risks injury or infection.

Giving Charity Equal to the Hair’s Weight

A recommended practice mentioned by scholars is to give the value of silver equivalent to the weight of the newborn’s hair in charity.

Where this practice is followed, parents may:

1. Safely collect the hair.
2. Weigh it using a precise scale.
3. Calculate the equivalent value in silver.
4. Donate that amount to a person or family in need.

This charity is separate from the distribution of the aqiqah meat.

When accurately weighing the hair is impractical, parents may give a reasonable charitable donation without becoming overly concerned about an exact amount.

Is a Large Aqiqah Party Required?

No. Islam does not require an expensive party, decorated venue or elaborate banquet.

Aqiqah may be completed simply by:

• Making the intention
• Arranging the sacrifice
• Distributing the meat
• Naming the child
• Giving charity
• Making dua for the newborn

A family may invite relatives and friends for a meal, but this is optional.

Parents should not feel pressured to compete with other families or spend beyond their means. A modest aqiqah performed sincerely is better than an extravagant celebration arranged for status or praise.

Can Two Animals Be Sacrificed for a Girl?

One sheep or goat fulfils the recommended Sunnah for a girl’s aqiqah.

A family may provide additional food or charity separately, but they should understand that the Sunnah requirement is fulfilled with one animal.

Anyone considering sacrificing more than one animal specifically as aqiqah should seek guidance from a trusted scholar, particularly if they are following a particular school of Islamic law.

Can One Animal Be Shared Between Two Girls?

The usual practice is for each child to have her own aqiqah sacrifice.

Therefore, one sheep or goat is normally offered for each baby girl.

For example:

• One daughter: one animal
• Twin girls: two animals
• Three daughters: three animals

Questions about using a cow or camel as shared portions can involve differences of scholarly opinion, so families should consult a knowledgeable scholar before arranging a shared sacrifice.

What Should Be Said During the Aqiqah?

The person performing the slaughter should mention the name of Allah and make the intention that the sacrifice is for the child’s aqiqah.

A simple intention may be understood as:

“This is the aqiqah of [child’s name].”

The intention is primarily in the heart. It is not necessary to recite a long or complicated formula.

Parents may also make dua asking Allah to:

• Bless their daughter
• Protect her from harm
• Grant her good health
• Make her righteous
• Strengthen her faith
• Give her beneficial knowledge
• Grant her good character
• Make her a source of happiness for her family

Celebrating the Birth of a Daughter in Islam

A baby girl should be welcomed with happiness, gratitude and love.

Islam rejected the shame and sadness that some pre-Islamic societies associated with the birth of daughters. Raising daughters with kindness, faith and good character is a noble responsibility.

Parents should provide their daughter with:

• Love and emotional security
• Islamic education
• General education
• Proper healthcare
• Fair treatment
• Protection from abuse
• Encouragement and confidence
• A good moral example

Aqiqah is only the beginning. The greater responsibility is to raise the child with mercy, justice and devotion to Allah.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Families arranging an aqiqah for a girl should avoid:

• Believing aqiqah is invalid without a large party
• Borrowing money solely to impress guests
• Wasting food
• Treating the birth of a daughter as less joyful
• Using an unsuitable or unhealthy animal
• Forgetting to make the intention
• Turning the occasion into social competition
• Ignoring poor families when distributing meat
• Following cultural customs that contradict Islamic teachings
• Making unsupported promises about guaranteed blessings or protection

The value of aqiqah comes from sincerity, gratitude and following the Sunnah.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many goats are needed for a girl’s aqiqah?

One suitable goat or sheep is recommended for a baby girl’s aqiqah.

Is aqiqah mandatory for a girl?

Aqiqah is generally regarded as a confirmed Sunnah rather than an obligation. Parents who cannot afford it are not sinful for leaving it.

What is the best day for a girl’s aqiqah?

The seventh day after birth is preferred. If that is not possible, it may be performed later according to recognised scholarly opinions.

Can aqiqah be done after seven days?

Yes. Many scholars permit aqiqah on the fourteenth, twenty-first or another later day when the family is able.

Can grandparents pay for the aqiqah?

Yes, grandparents or another relative may sponsor the aqiqah with the agreement of the child’s parents.

Can aqiqah meat be given to non-Muslim neighbours?

Many scholars permit giving aqiqah food to non-Muslim neighbours, friends or people in need as an act of kindness. For advice relating to a particular school of law, consult a local scholar.

Must the family eat some of the meat?

The family may eat from the aqiqah meat, but there is flexibility in its distribution. Some or all of it may also be given to others.

Can I donate money instead of performing an aqiqah?

Giving money to charity is a good deed, but it does not normally replace the animal sacrifice when someone specifically intends to perform the Sunnah of aqiqah.

Can the aqiqah be performed abroad?

Yes. A trusted person or organisation may perform it on the family’s behalf and distribute the meat to people in need.

Is there a special dua for a baby girl’s aqiqah?

There is no requirement for a lengthy special dua. The person should mention Allah’s name, make the intention for the child and may offer any sincere prayer for her health, faith and righteousness.

Final Thoughts

Aqiqah for a girl in Islam is a meaningful Sunnah and an expression of gratitude for the blessing of a daughter.

The recommended practice is to sacrifice one suitable sheep or goat, preferably on the seventh day after birth. The meat may be shared with family, neighbours, friends and people in need.

Parents should remember that aqiqah does not need to be expensive or elaborate. What matters most is sincere intention, lawful sacrifice, gratitude to Allah and care for the newborn.

A daughter is an amanah a trust from Allah. Alongside performing her aqiqah, parents should commit themselves to raising her with faith, compassion, education, protection and good character.