In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful…

Allaah says, addressing the Jews and Christians with a stern admonition that Muslims are required to also heed and live by:

يا أهل الكتاب لا تغلوا في دينكم
“O people of the Book!  Do not go overboard in your religion!” [1]

His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said:

إياكم والغلو فإنما أهلك من كان قبلكم الغلو
“Be warned against ghuluww (religious excessiveness), since that which destroyed the people who came before you was ghuluww!” [2]

To help fulfill this Prophetic order, this series of brotherly reminders highlights some everyday manifestations of religious excessiveness that Muslims may commonly fall into, so that we can be on guard against them and warn others of them.

Overplanning an ‘Aqeeqah

An ‘aqeeqah is when a Muslim father slaughters two sheep after being blessed with a newborn baby boy, or one sheep for a girl.  It is at least recommended, while some scholars consider it an obligation. [3]  It is best performed on the seventh day of the child’s life.

This Sunnah is accomplished when the sheep is slaughtered.  Muslims commonly prepare the slaughtered meat for a meal, with added salads, side dishes, deserts, etc. that they mistakenly call an ‘aqeeqah.  Remember – the ‘aqeeqah is the slaughtering, not what happens after that.

Because it is very common to have an entire meal from the ‘aqeeqah meat prepared for a large number of guests, some people have begun to believe this is the only way an ‘aqeeqah is to be done.  As a result, you may find someone capable of offering a slaughter refraining from doing so because he can not afford the catering services, or some of the other costs associated with the hosting of a large invitation.

A Real Modern Manifestation of this Ghuluww

It is not that uncommon to find a man who has not performed an ‘aqeeqah for a number of his children, as he waits years for the chance to have some extra money by which he will plan a large gathering with a number of slaughtered sheep.  He has overburdened himself, preventing himself from completing a simple but important rite in his easy and practical Religion. 

The Solution

If you are on a budget and have only enough money to purchase and slaughter a sheep (or two sheep), then simply perform the ‘aqeeqah (the slaughter), and keep the meat for your own family to eat from.  You can store the meat in a freezer, or give some of it to your neighbors and family.

Be realistic, live according to your financial level, and do not harm yourself or your family by unnecessarily overburdening yourself, financially or otherwise.

And Allaah knows best. 

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4:171)

[2] Collected by Ahmad (1/215), an-Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah, and others.  Al-Haakim (1/466) graded it saheeh (authentic) according to the conditions of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.  See: Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#1283).

[3] Refer to the following article for a detailed discussion on the reason why most scholars consider the ‘aqeeqah to be recommended: https://www.bakkah.net/en/ruling-aqeeqah-obligation-recommended-sunnah.htm