Aqiqah in Islam for Baby Girl: Complete Guide for Muslim Parents

The birth of a baby girl is a beautiful blessing from Allah and a joyful occasion for every Muslim family. Parents can express gratitude for this blessing by following the Sunnah of Aqiqah.

Aqiqah in Islam for a baby girl normally involves sacrificing one eligible sheep or goat on behalf of the newborn. The meat can then be shared with family, friends and people in need.

Aqiqah is more than a family celebration. It is an act of worship, gratitude and generosity that follows the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

This guide explains the meaning of Aqiqah, how many animals are required for a baby girl, when it should be performed, how the meat may be distributed and how parents can arrange an Aqiqah online.

What Is Aqiqah in Islam?

Aqiqah, also written as Aqeeqah or Akikah, is the sacrifice made in gratitude to Allah following the birth of a child.

It is an established practice from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Most Muslim scholars regard Aqiqah as a highly recommended Sunnah for parents or guardians who have the financial ability to perform it.

Through Aqiqah, a Muslim family:

• Thanks Allah for the blessing of a child
• Follows the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
• Shares food with relatives, neighbours and friends
• Provides meat to poor and vulnerable families
• Welcomes the baby into the Muslim community
• Begins the child’s life with an act of worship and charity

Aqiqah should be performed sincerely for the sake of Allah rather than simply as a social tradition.

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

For the Aqiqah of a baby girl, the established Sunnah is to sacrifice one sheep or one goat.

A hadith narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud states that two similar sheep are offered for a boy and one sheep for a girl.

Therefore, the usual requirement is:

• Baby girl: one sheep or goat
• Baby boy: two sheep or goats

The difference in the number of animals does not suggest that a baby girl has less value in Islam. Sons and daughters are both blessings from Allah, and parents are responsible for treating their children with compassion, dignity and fairness.

The different number of animals is simply the prescribed form of this particular Sunnah practice.

Is Aqiqah Compulsory for a Baby Girl?

Most scholars consider Aqiqah to be a strongly recommended Sunnah rather than an absolute obligation.

Parents who can comfortably afford it are encouraged to perform an Aqiqah for their baby girl. However, a family should not place itself under severe financial hardship or borrow money unnecessarily to organise an expensive celebration.

Aqiqah should be performed according to the family’s means.

Parents who cannot afford it are not expected to cause themselves financial difficulty. Allah knows every family’s circumstances, intentions and capabilities.

There are differences of scholarly opinion concerning the legal status and some details of Aqiqah. Families who follow a particular school of Islamic jurisprudence may consult a trusted local scholar for guidance.

When Should Aqiqah Be Performed for a Baby Girl?

The preferred time to perform Aqiqah is on the seventh day after the baby’s birth.

A narration in Jami at-Tirmidhi mentions performing the sacrifice on the seventh day, naming the child and shaving the child’s head.

The seventh day is therefore considered the ideal time when circumstances allow.

However, families may face difficulties such as:

• Financial hardship
• Illness or medical treatment
• Premature birth
• Hospitalisation
• Difficulty arranging a suitable animal
• Travel or family emergencies
• Lack of access to a reliable halal sacrifice service

When an Aqiqah cannot be completed on the seventh day, many scholars allow it to be performed later. Some families choose the fourteenth or twenty-first day, while others arrange it whenever they become able to do so.

The important point is to perform it sincerely and according to sound Islamic guidance rather than abandoning it because the seventh day has passed.

How Do You Calculate the Seventh Day?

Families sometimes find it difficult to calculate the seventh day, particularly when a baby is born late in the evening.

Methods of counting can differ according to scholarly interpretation and local practice. Parents who are uncertain should ask a knowledgeable imam or Islamic scholar who can consider the exact birth date and time.

A difference in calculation should not become a source of anxiety or family disagreement. Aqiqah is an act of gratitude and worship, and it should be approached with peace and sincerity.

Can Aqiqah Be Performed After the Seventh Day?

Yes, according to many scholars, an Aqiqah may still be performed if the seventh day has already passed.

Parents may arrange it:

• On the fourteenth day
• On the twenty-first day
• At another suitable time
• When they become financially able
• When a reliable sacrifice can be arranged

A delayed Aqiqah can still provide valuable meat to families experiencing poverty and food insecurity.

Parents should not believe that they have permanently lost the opportunity simply because they could not complete the sacrifice immediately after the birth.

Who Should Pay for a Baby Girl’s Aqiqah?

The responsibility normally rests with the person financially responsible for the child, usually the father.

However, another family member may pay for or arrange the Aqiqah with the parents’ knowledge and permission. This could include:

• The mother
• Grandparents
• Adult siblings
• Other relatives
• A family friend
• A charitable donor

The sacrifice should be made with the correct intention and on behalf of the baby girl.

Families should avoid competing over who pays or turning the Aqiqah into a display of wealth. Its purpose is worship, gratitude and generosity.

What Type of Animal Can Be Used?

A sheep or goat is commonly sacrificed for a baby girl’s Aqiqah.

The animal should be:

• Halal and permissible to sacrifice
• Healthy
• Free from serious defects
• Of an appropriate age
• Treated humanely
• Slaughtered according to Islamic requirements

The sacrifice should be carried out by a competent person who understands halal slaughter and animal-welfare responsibilities.

When arranging an Aqiqah online, parents should choose a trustworthy organisation with clear procedures for purchasing, sacrificing and distributing the animal.

What Intention Should Be Made for Aqiqah?

The intention should be that the sacrifice is being performed as Aqiqah on behalf of the newborn baby girl for the sake of Allah.

The intention is primarily made in the heart. It does not require a complicated speech or ceremony.

The person arranging the sacrifice should provide the baby’s correct name where available and clearly state that the animal is for her Aqiqah.

For example, the intention may be understood as:

“This Aqiqah is being offered for the sake of Allah on behalf of our baby daughter.”

Sincerity is more important than elaborate wording.

Does the Baby Girl Need to Be Present?

No. The baby does not need to be physically present where the animal is sacrificed.

This means Muslim parents in the UK, Europe, the United States or another country can arrange for an Aqiqah to be carried out by a trusted organisation elsewhere.

The sacrifice may be performed in a community where the meat can support poor and vulnerable families.

Parents should ensure that:

• The organisation understands the Islamic requirements
• The correct number of animals is provided
• The sacrifice is made on behalf of the baby
• The animal is slaughtered in a halal manner
• The meat is distributed responsibly
• The organisation is transparent about its service

How Should Aqiqah Meat Be Distributed?

Aqiqah meat can be used to bring together family, friends and the wider community.

Families may:

• Eat some of the meat themselves
• Cook and serve it to relatives
• Give portions to neighbours
• Share it with friends
• Distribute it to poor families
• Provide meals to vulnerable people
• Donate all of it through a charity

There is flexibility in how Aqiqah meat is shared. Many families choose to combine celebration with charity by keeping some meat and distributing the remainder.

Islamic charitable organisations commonly distribute Aqiqah meat among families in need while allowing the sacrifice to be made on behalf of the newborn.

The Aqiqah should not become wasteful. Meat should be stored, cooked and distributed safely so that people can benefit from it.

Can Parents Eat From the Aqiqah Meat?

Yes, parents and family members may eat from the Aqiqah meat.

They may also serve it at a meal or gathering and distribute portions to other people.

A family is not required to give away every part of the meat unless it has independently chosen to do so through a charitable Aqiqah service.

Many parents divide the meat between:

• Their household
• Relatives and friends
• Poor or vulnerable families

There is no need to hold an extravagant event. A simple meal shared with gratitude can fulfil the purpose more appropriately than a costly celebration organised for social status.

Can All the Aqiqah Meat Be Donated to the Poor?

Yes, families may arrange for all the meat to be distributed to poor and vulnerable people.

This is particularly common when parents organise an Aqiqah online in a country where food insecurity is widespread.

Donating the meat can provide:

• Nutritious food for struggling families
• Meals for children
• Support for widows and older people
• Food for displaced communities
• Assistance for families affected by poverty
• A meaningful act of charity celebrating the baby’s birth

Parents should select a reliable organisation that distributes the meat fairly and promptly.

Naming a Baby Girl in Islam

The birth of a daughter is also an opportunity to select a beautiful and meaningful Muslim name.

Parents should choose a name with a good meaning and avoid names with inappropriate, offensive or un-Islamic meanings.

A baby may be named before the seventh day or on the seventh day. Families do not need to delay official registration unnecessarily when legal or medical documents require the baby’s name earlier.

When selecting a name, consider:

• Its Islamic meaning
• How it is pronounced
• Whether it has a positive association
• How it may be understood in the family’s language
• Whether it will be practical for the child
• Whether its spelling is clear

A good name is a lifelong gift from parents to their daughter.

Should a Baby Girl’s Hair Be Shaved?

The shaving of a newborn’s hair is often discussed alongside Aqiqah.

The hadith concerning the seventh day mentions naming the child and shaving the head. However, scholars differ over whether shaving is recommended or appropriate for a baby girl.

Some scholars consider the practice applicable to both boys and girls. Others advise against shaving a girl’s head unless there is a need.

Parents should follow reliable scholarly guidance and consider the baby’s health and safety. They should not shave a newborn’s hair in a way that could injure the scalp.

Where there is uncertainty, consult a trusted local scholar rather than relying only on social-media advice.

Giving Charity Equal to the Hair’s Weight

Some Muslim families weigh the newborn’s shaved hair and give the equivalent weight in silver as charity.

This charitable practice may be observed alongside the child’s naming and Aqiqah. However, questions concerning its application to a baby girl can differ according to scholarly interpretation, particularly because opinions vary regarding shaving a girl’s head.

Parents wishing to follow this practice should seek appropriate scholarly guidance.

Even where the hair is not shaved, parents may still give voluntary Sadaqah in gratitude for their daughter’s birth.

Aqiqah and Sadaqah: What Is the Difference?

Aqiqah and Sadaqah are both valuable Islamic acts, but they are not exactly the same.

Aqiqah

Aqiqah is the specific sacrifice associated with the birth of a child. For a baby girl, it normally involves one sheep or goat.

Sadaqah

Sadaqah is voluntary charity that may be given at any time and in many forms, including:

• Money
• Food
• Clothing
• Water
• Medical assistance
• Education
• Support for orphans
• Help for vulnerable families

Parents may perform an Aqiqah and also give Sadaqah on behalf of their baby girl. However, making an ordinary donation does not necessarily replace the specific sacrifice where the family intends to perform the Sunnah of Aqiqah.

What Is the Difference Between Aqiqah and Qurbani?

Aqiqah and Qurbani both involve halal animal sacrifice, but they have different purposes.

Aqiqah	Qurbani
Performed following the birth of a child	Performed during Eid al-Adha
May be arranged throughout the year	Performed during the designated days of Dhul Hijjah
One animal is normally offered for a girl	Qurbani shares depend on the chosen animal
Expresses gratitude for a newborn	Commemorates the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim
Performed on behalf of a child	Performed by or on behalf of an eligible Muslim

An Aqiqah does not automatically replace a person’s Qurbani obligation, and Qurbani does not automatically replace Aqiqah.

Can Aqiqah Be Combined With a Birthday Celebration?

Aqiqah is connected to the birth of the child rather than an annual birthday.

When the Aqiqah has been delayed, some families may arrange it near the child’s birthday for practical reasons. However, the intention should remain that the sacrifice is an Aqiqah performed for Allah, not simply part of a birthday party.

Families should consult a knowledgeable scholar if they have concerns about combining different events or intentions.

Can You Perform Aqiqah for an Older Daughter?

Many scholars allow parents to perform Aqiqah later when it was not completed during infancy.

A delayed Aqiqah may be arranged for:

• A young child
• A school-aged daughter
• A teenager
• An adult daughter

Scholarly opinions differ concerning responsibility after the child reaches adulthood and whether a person may perform Aqiqah for herself.

Families should obtain guidance according to the school of thought they follow.

Can Aqiqah Be Performed in Another Country?

Yes. Parents may arrange an Aqiqah in another country through a trusted individual or organisation.

This can be especially beneficial where:

• Families cannot arrange halal slaughter locally
• The cost is more affordable elsewhere
• Poor communities urgently need meat
• The parents live far from extended family
• The family wants the entire sacrifice distributed as charity

The physical distance does not prevent the Aqiqah from being performed on behalf of the baby.

The organisation should receive the baby’s details and the parents’ instructions clearly.

Benefits of Arranging Aqiqah Online

An online Aqiqah service can make the process easier for parents who cannot organise the sacrifice themselves.

Potential benefits include:

Convenient Arrangement

Parents can arrange the Aqiqah from home while caring for their newborn.

Correct Number of Animals

The service can provide one eligible sheep or goat for a baby girl.

Halal Sacrifice

A reputable provider arranges the sacrifice according to Islamic requirements.

Distribution to People in Need

The meat can be distributed in communities where many families cannot regularly afford it.

Suitable for Overseas Families

Parents can organise the Aqiqah from the UK or another country without needing to travel.

Reduced Waste

The animal can be sacrificed close to the recipient community, allowing the meat to be distributed promptly.

Parents should still examine the organisation’s experience, transparency and procedures before paying for the service.

How to Arrange Aqiqah Online for a Baby Girl

The exact process depends on the organisation, but it normally involves the following steps:

1. Select the Aqiqah option for a baby girl.
2. Provide the baby’s name.
3. Choose an available country or distribution area.
4. Confirm the preferred date where possible.
5. Pay securely online.
6. Receive confirmation of the arrangement.
7. Allow the organisation to perform the halal sacrifice.
8. The meat is distributed to eligible families.

If the baby has not yet been named, contact the provider before ordering to ask what information can be supplied temporarily.

Why Perform Aqiqah Through Islam Freedom?

Islam Freedom helps Muslim families arrange Aqiqah sacrifices for baby girls and boys.

By arranging an Aqiqah through the service, parents can mark their daughter’s birth with an act of worship while helping families who may rarely have access to fresh meat.

An Aqiqah for a baby girl can include:

• One eligible sheep or goat
• Halal sacrifice
• Aqiqah performed on behalf of the baby
• Meat distribution to people in need
• A convenient online arrangement
• Support for vulnerable Muslim communities

Service locations, timing and prices may vary according to animal costs, availability and local conditions.

Parents should review the current Aqiqah options before placing an order.

Aqiqah Checklist for a Baby Girl

Use this simple checklist when planning your daughter’s Aqiqah:

• Make a sincere intention for Allah
• Arrange one eligible sheep or goat
• Aim for the seventh day where possible
• Choose a meaningful name for your daughter
• Select a reliable halal sacrifice provider
• Give the baby’s correct name and details
• Decide how the meat will be distributed
• Include poor and vulnerable families
• Avoid unnecessary extravagance
• Ask a trusted scholar about disputed matters
• Give thanks to Allah for your baby girl

Frequently Asked Questions About Aqiqah for a Girl

What is Aqiqah in Islam for a baby girl?

Aqiqah is the sacrifice made in gratitude to Allah after the birth of a child. For a baby girl, it normally involves sacrificing one sheep or goat.

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

One eligible goat is normally required for a baby girl’s Aqiqah. A sheep may also be used.

Is one sheep enough for a baby girl?

Yes. The Sunnah establishes one sheep for a baby girl.

When should a girl’s Aqiqah be performed?

The preferred time is the seventh day after birth. When this is not possible, many scholars allow the Aqiqah to be completed later.

Can I perform Aqiqah after seven days?

Yes. A delayed Aqiqah may still be arranged according to many scholarly opinions.

Is Aqiqah compulsory for a baby girl?

Most scholars regard Aqiqah as a highly recommended Sunnah for parents who can afford it, although scholarly opinions concerning its legal status vary.

Can the mother pay for the Aqiqah?

Yes. Although financial responsibility commonly rests with the father, the mother or another relative may arrange it with the correct intention and the parents’ agreement.

Can parents eat the Aqiqah meat?

Yes. Parents and relatives may eat from the meat and share it with friends, neighbours and people in need.

Does all the meat need to be donated?

No. The family may keep some, serve some and donate some. It is also permissible to arrange for all the meat to be distributed to poor families.

Does a baby girl need two animals?

No. The established Sunnah is one sheep or goat for a girl and two for a boy.

Can Aqiqah be performed overseas?

Yes. It can be arranged in another country through a trusted provider that follows halal slaughter requirements and distributes the meat responsibly.

Can I arrange Aqiqah online?

Yes. Parents can arrange an Aqiqah online by selecting the baby-girl option, providing the child’s details and authorising a trusted organisation to perform the sacrifice.

Is it necessary to hold an Aqiqah party?

No. A large party is not required. The sacrifice and sincere intention are more important than an expensive social gathering.

Should a baby girl’s head be shaved?

Scholars differ on whether shaving is recommended for a newborn girl. Parents should follow trusted scholarly guidance and ensure the baby’s health and safety.

Can Aqiqah be performed for an older girl?

Many scholars permit a delayed Aqiqah, but opinions differ regarding responsibility after adulthood. Consult a trusted scholar for personal guidance.

Celebrate Your Daughter’s Birth With Aqiqah

A baby girl is a precious gift and a mercy from Allah. Performing an Aqiqah allows parents to welcome their daughter with gratitude, worship and generosity.

The Sunnah for Aqiqah in Islam for a baby girl is to sacrifice one eligible sheep or goat. The sacrifice is ideally performed on the seventh day, but many scholars permit it to be arranged later when necessary.

The meat may be shared with family and friends, distributed among people in need or donated entirely through a trusted Aqiqah service.

By arranging an Aqiqah online, parents can follow this beautiful Sunnah while providing valuable food to vulnerable families.

May Allah bless every newborn daughter, protect her, grant her good health and faith, and make her a source of happiness and righteousness for her family. Ameen.

This article provides general educational information. Islamic rulings can differ between schools of thought and individual circumstances. Consult a qualified scholar for personal religious guidance.