Aqeeqah and Newborn Sunnahs - The First 7 Days
Welcoming a child follows beloved sunnahs: the adhan in the ear, tahnik, a good name, shaving the head and aqeeqah - each sealing the newborn’s first days with worship.
Also searched as: aqeeqah ka tarika | newborn sunnahs | bache ki aqeeqah | naam rakhna
How to
Steps in order
- 1Say adhan/iqamah in the ears and do tahnik after birth.
- 2Choose a good name with beautiful meaning.
- 3On the seventh day: shave the head, give its weight in silver as charity.
- 4Sacrifice the aqeeqah (two sheep for a boy, one for a girl) and share the meat.
The first hours
Say the adhan in the right ear and iqamah in the left, do tahnik (softened date on the palate), and make dua for the child - protection from Satan and righteousness.
Choose a good meaningful name - Abdullah, Abdur-Rahman and names of prophets and the righteous are most beloved.
The seventh day
Sacrifice two sheep for a boy and one for a girl, shave the baby’s head and give silver equal to the hair’s weight in charity, and announce the name.
If the seventh day is missed, the aqeeqah can be done later - scholars allow the 14th, 21st or whenever able.
Sources & review
Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan al-Tirmidhi (aqeeqah rulings)
Learn personal details from a qualified teacher; minor school differences exist.
Educational content — not a fatwa. See methodology and disclaimer.
Reviewed • 2026-01-01Our methodology
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is aqeeqah obligatory?
It is strongly recommended (sunnah muakkadah) in mainstream scholarship, not obligatory - do it when able.
Can aqeeqah be delayed?
Yes - the 7th is best, then the 14th, then the 21st; delay beyond that is still rewarded.
Boy and girl - any difference?
Two sheep for a boy and one for a girl is the established sunnah; the rest of the rites are identical.
Duas
Related duas
Learn