The Book of ‘Aqiqah (Offering Animal Sacrifice for a Newborn Child)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ عَلَى الْمُوسِرِ وَ الْمُعْسِرِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى مَنْ لَا يَجِدُ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

’It is not necessary for one who cannot find anything.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ عَلَى الْمُعْسِرِ وَ الْمُوسِرِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى مَنْ لَا يَجِدُ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about ‘Aqiqah for one who is affluent and one who is poor. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not necessary for one who cannot find anything.’”

عُقَّ عَنْهُ وَ احْلِقْ رَأْسَهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ تَصَدَّقْ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ فِضَّةً وَ اقْطَعِ الْعَقِيقَةَ جَذَاوِيَ‌[1] وَ اطْبُخْهَا وَ ادْعُ عَلَيْهَا رَهْطاً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.

‘On the seventh day from birth offer ‘Aqiqah, shave the head of the child and give in charity an amount of silver equal to the weight of his hairs and cut the meat of Aqiqah without breaking any bones, then cook the meat and invite a group of Muslims to be served.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ بِأَيِّ ذَلِكَ نَبْدَأُ قَالَ تَحْلِقُ رَأْسَهُ وَ تَعُقُّ عَنْهُ وَ تَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ فِضَّةً وَ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ فِي مَكَانٍ وَاحِدٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘What should we do first?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘First shave his head, then offer Aqiqah and give in charity of silver equal to the weight of his hairs. All of this should be done in one place.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ أَ وَاجِبَةٌ هِيَ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُعَقُّ عَنْهُ وَ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ هُوَ ابْنُ سَبْعَةٍ وَ يُوزَنُ شَعْرُهُ فِضَّةً أَوْ ذَهَباً يُتَصَدَّقُ بِهِ وَ تُطْعَمُ الْقَابِلَةُ رُبُعَ الشَّاةِ وَ الْعَقِيقَةُ شَاةٌ أَوْ بَدَنَةٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about Aqiqah : if it is obligatory. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Aqiqah must be offered for him, his head is shaved when he is seven days old and his hairs are weighed with silver or gold to be given in charity. One-fourth of the sheep is served to al-Qabilah (the special nur

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ السَّابِعِ وَ قَدْ وُلِدَ لِأَحَدِكُمْ غُلَامٌ أَوْ جَارِيَةٌ فَلْيَعُقَّ عَنْهُ كَبْشاً عَنِ الذَّكَرِ ذَكَراً وَ عَنِ الْأُنْثَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ‌[2] عُقُّوا عَنْهُ وَ أَطْعِمُوا الْقَابِلَةَ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ وَ سَمُّوهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ.

“When it is the seventh day of childbirth in your home, a boy or a girl you must offer an Aqiqah in the form of slaughtering a ram for a boy and an ewe for a girl. When you offer an Aqiqah for him, feed al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor) thereof. You can give the child a name on the seventh day.’”

الْمَوْلُودُ[1] إِذَا وُلِدَ عُقَّ عَنْهُ وَ حُلِقَ رَأْسُهُ وَ تُصُدِّقَ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ وَرِقاً وَ أُهْدِيَ إِلَى الْقَابِلَةِ الرِّجْلُ وَ الْوَرِكُ وَ يُدْعَى نَفَرٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَيَأْكُلُونَ وَ يَدْعُونَ لِلْغُلَامِ وَ يُسَمَّى يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When a child is born, Aqiqah must be offered for him, his head should be shaved and equal to the weight of his hairs leaf (of silver) should be given in charity. The leg and hip of the animal slaughtered for Aqiqah should be given to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor). A

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الصَّبِيُّ يُعَقُّ عَنْهُ وَ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ هُوَ ابْنُ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَ يُوزَنُ شَعْرُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ ذَهَباً أَوْ فِضَّةً وَ يُطْعَمُ الْقَابِلَةَ الرِّجْلُ وَ الْوَرِكُ وَ قَالَ الْعَقِيقَةُ بَدَنَةٌ أَوْ شَاةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘For a child Aqiqah must be offered, his head is shaved on the seventh day and equal to the weight of his hairs silver or gold should be given in charity. One leg and hip of the animal slaughtered for ‘Aqiqah should be given to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor). The anim

إِذَا وُلِدَ لَكَ غُلَامٌ أَوْ جَارِيَةٌ فَعُقَّ عَنْهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ شَاةً أَوْ جَزُوراً وَ كُلْ مِنْهَا وَ أَطْعِمْ وَ سَمِّ وَ احْلِقْ رَأْسَهُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ تَصَدَّقْ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ ذَهَباً أَوْ فِضَّةً وَ أَعْطِ الْقَابِلَةَ طَائِفَةً مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَيَّ ذَلِكَ فَعَلْتَ فَقَدْ أَجْزَأَكَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a boy or a girl is born to you, on the seventh day offer an ‘Aqiqah, a sheep or a camel and eat of its meat, feed others and give him a name. Shave his head on the seventh day and equal to the weight of his hairs give silver or gold in charity. You should give to the doctor someth

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّبِيِّ الْمَوْلُودِ مَتَى يُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ وَ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ وَ يُسَمَّى قَالَ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the newborn child: when to offer ‘Aqiqah, shave his head, give in charity equal to the weight of his hair and give him a name.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘All of such things can be done on the seventh day from his birth.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ عَنِ الْمَوْلُودِ كَيْفَ هِيَ قَالَ إِذَا أَتَى لِلْمَوْلُودِ سَبْعَةُ أَيَّامٍ يُسَمَّى بِالاسْمِ الَّذِي سَمَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[3] بِهِ ثُمَّ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ ذَهَباً أَوْ فِضَّةً وَ يُذْبَحُ عَنْهُ كَبْشٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُوجَدْ كَبْشٌ‌ أَجْزَأَهُ مَا يُجْزِئُ فِي الْأُضْحِيَّةِ وَ إِلَّا فَحَمَلٌ أَعْظَمُ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ حُمْلَانِ السَّنَةِ وَ

‘When a child is seven days old a name with which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has named him must be given to him, then his head must be shaved and equal to the weight of his hairs gold or silver should be given in charity. A ram should be slaughtered, and if a ram is not available then whatever is sufficient f

يُسَمَّى فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ وَ يُعَقُّ عَنْهُ وَ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِ فِضَّةً وَ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى الْقَابِلَةِ بِالرِّجْلِ مَعَ الْوَرِكِ وَ يُطْعَمُ مِنْهُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ.

‘The child must be given a name on the seventh day, ‘Aqiqah must be offered, his head shaved, silver equal to the weight of his hairs should be given in charity, one leg and hip should be sent to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor), and the rest of the meat should be used for food and as charity.’”

الْعَقِيقَةُ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ يُعْطَى الْقَابِلَةَ الرِّجْلُ مَعَ الْوَرِكِ وَ لَا يُكْسَرُ الْعَظْمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘On the seventh day from the birth of a child ‘Aqiqah must be offered. One leg and hip of the animal offered as ‘Aqiqah should be given to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor) and the bones should not be broken.’”

الصَّبِيُّ إِذَا وُلِدَ عُقَّ عَنْهُ وَ حُلِقَ رَأْسُهُ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِ الشَّعْرِ وَ أُهْدِيَ إِلَى الْقَابِلَةِ الرِّجْلُ مَعَ الْوَرِكِ وَ يُدْعَى نَفَرٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَيَأْكُلُونَ وَ يَدْعُونَ لِلْغُلَامِ وَ يُسَمَّى يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ.

‘When ‘Aqiqah is offered for a child, his head is shaved, equal to the weight of his hair charity is given, one leg and hip is given to al-Qabilah (the special nurse, doctor), Muslims should be invited and when they are served they should pray for the boy. A name can be given to the child on the seventh day of his birt

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَصْحَابَنَا يَطْلُبُونَ الْعَقِيقَةَ إِذَا كَانَ إِبَّانُ تَقْدَمُ الْأَعْرَابُ فَيَجِدُونَ الْفُحُولَةَ وَ إِذَا كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ الْإِبَّانِ لَمْ تُوجَدْ فَتَعِزُّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا هِيَ شَاةُ لَحْمٍ لَيْسَتْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْأُضْحِيَّةِ يُجْزِئُ مِنْهَا كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that our people can find animals for ‘Aqiqah when Arabs are around. They can find ram but in other seasons such an animal is difficult to find and it is expensive for them. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is only a sheep and it is not like the sacrificial offering for al-Hajj. Anything is

الْعَقِيقَةُ لَيْسَتْ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْهَدْيِ خَيْرُهَا أَسْمَنُهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘ Aqiqah is not like the animal offering for al-Hajj. The fat one is better for Aqiqah.’”

تَقُولُ عَلَى الْعَقِيقَةِ إِذَا عَقَقْتَ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ عَقِيقَةٌ عَنْ فُلَانٍ لَحْمُهَا بِلَحْمِهِ وَ دَمُهَا بِدَمِهِ وَ عَظْمُهَا بِعَظْمِهِ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ وِقَاءً لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you offer ‘Aqiqah say, ‘In the name of Allah and with Allah; it is an ‘Aqiqah for so and so. Its flesh is for his flesh, its blood for his blood and its bones for his bones. O Lord, make it a protection for Muhammad and family of Muhammad (SAW).’”

إِذَا ذَبَحْتَ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ إِيمَاناً بِاللَّهِ وَ ثَنَاءً عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعِصْمَةَ لِأَمْرِهِ وَ الشُّكْرَ لِرِزْقِهِ وَ الْمَعْرِفَةَ بِفَضْلِهِ عَلَيْنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌[2] فَإِنْ كَانَ ذَكَراً فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ وَهَبْتَ لَنَا ذَكَراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَهَبْتَ- وَ مِنْكَ مَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَ كُلُّ مَا صَنَعْنَا فَتَقَبَّل

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Ismahl ibn Marrar from Yunus from certain persons of his people who have said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you slaughter the animal for ‘Aqiqah, say, “In the name of Allah, with Allah, all praise belongs to Allah and Allah is greater than can b

تَقُولُ عَلَى‌[2] الْعَقِيقَةِ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ لَحْمُهَا بِلَحْمِهِ وَ دَمُهَا بِدَمِهِ وَ عَظْمُهَا بِعَظْمِهِ وَ شَعْرُهَا بِشَعْرِهِ وَ جِلْدُهَا بِجِلْدِهِ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ وِقَاءً لِفُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has instructed to say on ‘Aqiqah - he (the narrator) mentioned the prayer in Hadith number two above with this addition: ‘O Lord, its flesh is for his flesh, its blood is for his blood, its bones for his bones, its hairs for his hairs and its skin is for his skin. O Lord, make it a protection fo

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَذْبَحَ الْعَقِيقَةَ قُلْتَ- يا قَوْمِ‌ إِنِّي بَرِي‌ءٌ مِمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ حَنِيفاً مُسْلِماً وَ ما أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ‌ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَ نُسُكِي‌ وَ مَحْيايَ وَ مَماتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ بِذلِكَ أُمِرْتُ‌ وَ أَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَ لَكَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ال

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you decide to slaughter the animal for ‘Aqiqah say, ‘O my people I denounce what you consider partners (of Allah). I turn my face to the One who has invented the skies and earth, purely in obedience to Him and I am not a pagan. My Salat (prayer), acts of worship, life and deat

يُقَالُ عِنْدَ الْعَقِيقَةِ- اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَ لَكَ مَا وَهَبْتَ وَ أَنْتَ أَعْطَيْتَ اللَّهُمَّ فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا عَلَى سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ ص وَ نَسْتَعِيذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ وَ تُسَمِّي وَ تَذْبَحُ وَ تَقُولُ لَكَ سُفِكَتِ الدِّمَاءُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* اللَّهُمَّ اخْسَأِ الشَّيْطَانَ الرَّجِيمَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said to say this when offering ‘Aqiqah, ‘0 Lord, it is from You and for You is what You have granted. O Lord, accept it from us on the Sunnah of Your prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. We seek refuge with Allah against Sata

فِي الْعَقِيقَةِ إِذَا ذَبَحْتَ تَقُولُ- وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ حَنِيفاً مُسْلِماً وَ ما أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ‌ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَ نُسُكِي وَ مَحْيايَ وَ مَماتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ مِنْكَ وَ لَكَ اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا عَنْ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ.

I turn my face to the One who has invented the skies and earth, purely in obedience to Him and I am not a pagan. My Salat (prayer), acts of worship, life and death are all in obedience to Allah, Cherisher of the worlds who has no partner. O Lord, it is from You and for You. O Lord, this is from so and so son of so and

لَا تَأْكُلُ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنْ عَقِيقَةِ وَلَدِهَا وَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تُعْطِيَهَا الْجَارَ الْمُحْتَاجَ مِنَ اللَّحْمِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The mother of the newborn should not eat from the meat of ‘Aqiqah but it is not harmful if she gives to the needy neighbor.’”

لَا يَأْكُلُ هُوَ وَ لَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ عِيَالِهِ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ قَالَ وَ لِلْقَابِلَةِ الثُّلُثُ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الْقَابِلَةُ أُمَّ الرَّجُلِ أَوْ فِي عِيَالِهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهَا مِنْهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ تُجْعَلُ أَعْضَاءً ثُمَّ يَطْبُخُهَا وَ يَقْسِمُهَا وَ لَا يُعْطِيهَا إِلَّا لِأَهْلِ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنَ الْعَقِيقَةِ كُلُّ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا الْأُمَ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He or any of his dependents should not eat from the meat of ‘Aqiqah. One-third of the meat is for al-Qabilah (the special nurse). If the special nurse is the mother of the father of the newborn or a family member, then there is nothing for such nurse. It should be made in parts, cooke

لَا تَطْعَمُ الْأُمُّ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Mother of the newborn must not be fed anything from the meat of ‘Aqiqah.’”

عَقَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الْحَسَنِ ع بِيَدِهِ وَ قَالَ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ عَقِيقَةٌ[1] عَنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ عَظْمُهَا بِعَظْمِهِ وَ لَحْمُهَا بِلَحْمِهِ وَ دَمُهَا بِدَمِهِ وَ شَعْرُهَا بِشَعْرِهِ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا وِقَاءً لِمُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (saww) offered Aqiqah for al-Hasan with his own hands and said, 'In the name of Allah. It is an ‘Aqiqah for al-Hasan.' He (the Messenger of Allah) also said, “O Lord, its bones are for his bones, its flesh for his flesh, its blood for his blood and its hairs

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَقَّتْ فَاطِمَةُ عَنِ ابْنَيْهَا وَ حَلَقَتْ رُءُوسَهُمَا فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ وَ تَصَدَّقَتْ بِوَزْنِ الشَّعْرِ وَرِقاً وَ قَالَ كَانَ نَاسٌ يُلَطِّخُونَ رَأْسَ الصَّبِيِّ فِي دَمِ الْعَقِيقَةِ وَ كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ شِرْكٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Fatimah (a.s.) offered ‘Aqiqah for her two sons, shaved their heads on the seventh day, and gave in charity equal to the weight of their hairs of leaf (silver or gold).’ He (the Imam) has said that 'people would stain the head of the child with the blood of the animal for ‘Aqiqah a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَذْكُرُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ‌ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص عَقَّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ ع بِكَبْشٍ وَ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع بِكَبْشٍ وَ أَعْطَى الْقَابِلَةَ شَيْئاً وَ حَلَقَ رُءُوسَهُمَا يَوْمَ سَابِعِهِمَا وَ وَزَنَ شَعْرَهُمَا فَتَصَدَّقَ بِوَزْنِهِ فِضَّةً قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يُؤْخَذُ الدَّمُ فَيُلَطَّخُ بِهِ رَأْسُ الصَّبِيِّ فَقَالَ ذَاكَ شِرْكٌ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ شِرْكٌ فَقَالَ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُن

“I once heard Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), narrating from his father that the Messenger of Allah (saww) offered ‘Aqiqah for al-Hassan (a.s.). It was a ram and one ram for al-Husayn (a.s.). He (the Messenger of Allah) gave something to al-Qabilah (the special nurse), shaved their heads on the seventh day, weighed their hairs

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعَقِيقَةِ وَ الْحَلْقِ وَ التَّسْمِيَةِ بِأَيِّهَا يُبْدَأُ قَالَ يُصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ كُلُّهُ فِي سَاعَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ يُحْلَقُ وَ يُذْبَحُ وَ يُسَمَّى ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ مَا صَنَعَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع لِوُلْدِهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ يُوزَنُ الشَّعْرُ وَ يُتَصَدَّقُ بِوَزْنِهِ فِضَّةً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the ‘Aqiqah, shaving, giving a name to the newborn and that which one should come first. He (the Imam) said, ‘All of it should be done in one hour, shaving, slaughtering the animal offered for ‘Aqiqah and naming the child.’ He (the Imam) then mentioned what Fatimah, ‘Alayha al

سَمَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- حَسَناً وَ حُسَيْناً ع يَوْمَ سَابِعِهِمَا وَ عَقَّ عَنْهُمَا شَاةً شَاةً وَ بَعَثُوا بِرِجْلِ شَاةٍ إِلَى الْقَابِلَةِ وَ نَظَرُوا مَا غَيْرُهُ‌[2] فَأَكَلُوا مِنْهُ وَ أَهْدَوْا إِلَى الْجِيرَانِ وَ حَلَقَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع رُءُوسَهُمَا وَ تَصَدَّقَتْ بِوَزْنِ شَعْرِهِمَا فِضَّةً.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, named al-Hassan and al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, on the seventh day from their birth, offered a sheep for ‘Aqiqah, one leg of the sheep was sent to al-Qabilah (the special nurse) and the rest was kep

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ التَّهْنِئَةِ بِالْوَلَدِ مَتَى فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ قَالَ لَمَّا وُلِدَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ هَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ‌ بِالتَّهْنِئَةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُسَمِّيَهُ وَ يُكَنِّيَهُ وَ يَحْلِقَ رَأْسَهُ وَ يَعُقَّ عَنْهُ وَ يَثْقُبَ أُذُنَهُ وَ كَذَلِكَ كَانَ حِينَ وُلِدَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَتَاهُ فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ فَأَمَرَهُ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ

It was the birth of al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.). Jibril descended to congratulate the Holy Prophet (saww) on the seventh day and instructed to name him and give him a Kunyah, shave his head, offer ‘Aqiqah for him and pierce a hole in his ear. When al-Husayn (a.s.), was born Jibril came on the seventh day and instructed si

عَقَّ أَبُو طَالِبٍ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ دَعَا آلَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالُوا مَا هَذِهِ فَقَالَ عَقِيقَةُ أَحْمَدَ قَالُوا لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَمَّيْتَهُ أَحْمَدَ قَالَ سَمَّيْتُهُ أَحْمَدَ لِمَحْمَدَةِ أَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his father who has said that abu Talib offered ‘Aqiqah for the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, on the seventh day and invited members of his family who asked, ‘What is this?’ He replied, ‘It is

اخْتِنُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ لِسَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ فَإِنَّهُ أَطْهَرُ وَ أَسْرَعُ لِنَبَاتِ اللَّحْمِ وَ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَتَكْرَهُ بَوْلَ الْأَغْلَفِ.[2] - وَ بِهَذَا الْإِسْنَادِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ ثَقْبَ أُذُنِ الْغُلَامِ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ خِتَانَهُ لِسَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ.

’Circumcise your children on the seventh day from their birth; it is more clean and allows the flesh to grow quicker. The earth dislikes the urine of one who is not circumcised.”’ Through the same chain of narrators as that of the previous Hadith the following is narrated: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Piercing a

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ طَهِّرُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ فَإِنَّهُ أَطْيَبُ وَ أَطْهَرُ وَ أَسْرَعُ لِنَبَاتِ اللَّحْمِ وَ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ تَنْجَسُ مِنْ بَوْلِ الْأَغْلَفِ أَرْبَعِينَ صَبَاحاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Cleanse (circumcise) your children on the seventh day of their birth; it is more clean and allows the flesh to grow quicker. The land remains unclean fo

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع أَنَّهُ رُوِيَ عَنِ الصَّادِقِينَ ع أَنِ اخْتِنُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ يَطَّهَّرُوا وَ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ تَضِجُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ بَوْلِ الْأَغْلَفِ وَ لَيْسَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لِحَجَّامِي بَلَدِنَا حِذْقٌ بِذَلِكَ وَ لَا يَخْتِنُونَهُ‌[1] يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ وَ عِنْدَنَا حَجَّامُ الْيَهُودِ فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ لِلْيَهُودِ أَنْ يَخْتِنُوا أَوْلَادَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَمْ لَا إِ

’Circumcise your children on the seventh day from their birth; the earth cries before Allah because of the urine of an uncircumcised person.’ I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, people performing circumcision in our city are not very knowledgeable and they do not do it on the seventh day but ther

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع خَتَنَ نَفْسَهُ بِقَدُومٍ عَلَى دَنٍ‌[3] فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ ع كَانَتْ تَسْقُطُ عَنْهُمْ غُلْفَتُهُمْ مَعَ سُرَرِهِمْ فِي الْيَوْمِ السَّابِعِ فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ ع مِنْ هَاجَرَ[4] عَيَّرَتْ سَارَةُ هَاجَرَ بِمَا

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We are told that Ibrahim ‘Alayhi al-Salam circumcised with an adze on a base. He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah is free of all defects, it is not the way they say it is. They have lied against Ibrahim.’ I then asked, ‘How did it happen?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In the case of the prophets,

ثَقْبُ أُذُنِ الْغُلَامِ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ خِتَانُ الْغُلَامِ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Piercing the ears of a boy is of the Sunnah as well as his circumcision.’”

مِنْ سُنَنِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الِاسْتِنْجَاءُ وَ الْخِتَانُ.

‘Of the Sunnah of prophets is draining al-Istinja’ (one’s urine) and circumcision.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ خِتَانِ الصَّبِيِّ لِسَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ هُوَ أَوْ يُؤَخَّرُ وَ أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ قَالَ لِسَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ إِنْ أُخِّرَ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about circumcision of a child, if on the seventh day is of Sunnah or it can be delayed and which one is better. He (the Imam) said, ‘On the seventh day is of Sunnah but delaying is not harmful.’”

مِنَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةِ الْخِتَانُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Circumcision is of pure obedience to Allah.’”

الْمَوْلُودُ يُعَقُّ عَنْهُ وَ يُخْتَنُ لِسَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘For a newborn ‘Aqiqah is offered on the seventh day and the child is circumcised.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا أَسْلَمَ الرَّجُلُ اخْتَتَنَ وَ لَوْ بَلَغَ ثَمَانِينَ.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If a man becomes a Muslim he must circumcise even if he is eighty years old.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْجَارِيَةِ تُسْبَى مِنْ أَرْضِ الشِّرْكِ‌[1] فَتُسْلِمُ فَتُطْلَبُ لَهَا مَنْ يَخْفِضُهَا فَلَا نَقْدِرُ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ فَقَالَ أَمَّا السُّنَّةُ فِي الْخِتَانِ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of a girl who is taken as captive from the pagan’s land then she becomes Muslim and she is asked for Khafd but we are not able against a woman. He (the Imam) said, ’Circumcision is for men and not for women.”’ (It a is reference to lowering or reducing female clitoris )

خِتَانُ الْغُلَامِ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ خَفْضُ الْجَوَارِي لَيْسَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Circumcision for boys is because of Sunnah but circumcision for girls is not because of Sunnah.”’

خَفْضُ الْجَارِيَةِ مَكْرُمَةٌ[2] وَ لَيْسَتْ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ لَا شَيْئاً وَاجِباً وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْمَكْرُمَةِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Reducing for girls is a noble trait but it is not of the Sunnah or obligatory; however, a noble trait is a very preferred matter.’”

الْخِتَانُ فِي الرَّجُلِ سُنَّةٌ وَ مَكْرُمَةٌ فِي النِّسَاءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Circumcision for man is of Sunnah and it is a noble trait for women.’”

كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ يُقَالُ لَهَا أُمُّ طَيْبَةَ تَخْفِضُ الْجَوَارِيَ فَدَعَاهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ لَهَا يَا أُمَّ طَيْبَةَ إِذَا أَنْتِ خَفَضْتِ امْرَأَةً فَأَشِمِّي وَ لَا تُجْحِفِي فَإِنَّهُ أَصْفَى لِلَّوْنِ وَ أَحْظَى عِنْدَ الْبَعْلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that there was a woman called ‘Umm Taybah and she lowered girls. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, called her and said, ‘O ’Umm Taybah, when you lower a woman make it (as little as) a scratch but do not

لَمَّا هَاجَرْنَ النِّسَاءُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص هَاجَرَتْ فِيهِنَّ امْرَأَةٌ يُقَالُ لَهَا أُمُّ حَبِيبٍ وَ كَانَتْ خَافِضَةً تَخْفِضُ الْجَوَارِيَ فَلَمَّا رَآهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ لَهَا يَا أُمَّ حَبِيبٍ الْعَمَلُ الَّذِي كَانَ فِي يَدِكِ هُوَ فِي يَدِكِ الْيَوْمَ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ حَرَاماً فَتَنْهَانِي عَنْهُ قَالَ لَا بَلْ حَلَالٌ فَادْنِي مِنِّي حَتَّى أُعَلِّمَكِ ق

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when women migrated to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, among them was a woman called ‘Umm Habib who lowered girls. When the Messenger of Allah saw her, he (the Messenger of Allah) asked her, ‘O ‘

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَوْلُودٍ يُحْلَقُ رَأْسُهُ بَعْدَ يَوْمِ السَّابِعِ فَقَالَ إِذَا مَضَى سَبْعَةُ أَيَّامٍ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ حَلْقٌ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the newborn: if shaving his head after seven days from his birth is required. He (the Imam) said, ‘When seven days pass shaving is not required.’”

إِذَا جَاوَزَتْ سَبْعَةُ أَيَّامٍ‌[1] فَلَا عَقِيقَةَ لَهُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When seven days from the birth of a child pass, then it is not ‘Aqiqah (the way it should have been).”’