In Islamic tradition, Aqiqah is a birth celebration involving the sacrifice of an animal and sharing the meat with family and the poor.
Aqiqah is commonly performed on the seventh day after a child’s birth, although Islamic legal traditions also discuss other possible timings. The ceremony may include naming the child and shaving the baby’s hair. The meat is distributed or served as part of a communal meal, with charity and hospitality forming important elements.
Many descriptions state that two animals are traditionally sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl, while some families and legal schools emphasize the practice differently. The details therefore vary across Muslim communities and schools of jurisprudence.
Aqiqah should not be confused with Tahnik, the practice of applying a softened date or another sweet substance to a newborn’s palate. It is also separate from circumcision, which may occur at a different time.