How do I calculate the seventh day for Aqiqah?From when is the seventh day counted? Is it from the day of birth or the day after?
Mentioned in Al-Mawsu'ah Al-Fiqhiyah (30: 278), “The majority of scholars of jurisprudence are of the view that the time of day on the day of birth is the beginning of the count of seven days. While the night does not count if the baby is born at night, but what counts the next day." For example, there is a baby born on Monday (21/06), at six in the morning, then the count of the seventh day has begun to be counted on Monday. So the baby's aqiqah is held on Sunday (27/06). If the baby is born on Monday (21/06), at six in the afternoon, then the initial count does not start from Monday, but from Tuesday the next day. So the baby's aqiqah is on Monday (28/06). Imam Nawawi rahimahullah stated, "It is sunnah to slaughter aqiqah on the seventh day of birth. Is the day of birth included in the count of seven? Here there are two opinions as mentioned by Ash-Syashi and other scholars. The most authentic opinion, the day of birth is included in the count, so the count of days for slaughtering aqiqah is six days after birth. The second opinion states that the day of birth is not included in the count, so the slaughter of aqiqah is carried out seven days after birth. This second opinion is mentioned in the book Al-Buyuthi. However, the opinion chosen in the Shafi'i school is the first opinion, that is what is meant by textual hadith. If the baby is born at night, then the time of aqiqah starts from the day after birth. This is not disputed as stated by Al-Buyuthi. Even though he mentioned that birthdays do not count as seven days.” (Al-Majmu', 8:250) The hadith that supports the above opinion is the hadith, لَ اللَّهِ -صلى الله ليه لم- الَ لُّ لاَمٍ يَوْمَ ابِعِهِ لَقُ From Samuah bin Jundub, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Every child is mortgaged with his aqiqah, slaughtered for him on the seventh day, shaved his head and given a name." (Narrated by Abu Daud no. 2838, An-Nasai no. 4225, Ibn Majah no. 3165, Ahmad 5:12. Al-Hafizh Abu Tahir said that this hadith is authentic). The day in question is noon. Only Allah gives taufik and guidance. |