Aqeeqah for a teenager

Question:-

If Aqeeqah was not carried out for a girl or boy, and the child is now 13 years of age, what should be done? What is the ruling?

Answer:-

The performance of Aqeeqah is neither Fardh nor Waajib, rather it is Mustahab (preferable). Aqeeqah is carried out in gratitude for being blessed with a child hence, it may be carried out during one’s lifetime if it wasn’t carried out on the 7^th day, or during infancy. In conclusion, there is no problem with carrying out the Aqeeqah at this stage for the 13 year-old child.

وَكَذَلِكَ إنْ أَرَادَ بَعْضُهُمْ الْعَقِيقَةَ عَنْ وَلَدٍ وُلِدَ لَهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ؛ لِأَنَّ ذَلِكَ جِهَةُ التَّقَرُّبِ إلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى – عَزَّ شَأْنُهُ – بِالشُّكْرِ عَلَى مَا أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ الْوَلَد

( بدائع الصنائع ج ٥ ص٧٢ )

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 20 Rajab 1444 / 11 February 2023