Separate Udhiyah Required If Aqiqah Already Given

Question

Ruling on Slaughtering One Animal for Both Udhiyah and ‘Aqeeqah?

Bottom Line

Scholars differed: some said one animal cannot count for both, while others allowed combining the intentions. The stronger view is that it may suffice for both if intended.

Quick Answer

The Maliki and Shafi‘i schools, and one report from Ahmad, say udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah must be separate. The Hanafi school, another report from Ahmad, and early scholars like al-Hasan al-Basri and Ibn Sireen, allowed combining them. The reasoning is that both are sacrifices offered to Allah, so one act of slaughter can suffice if the intention covers both. Many contemporary scholars, including Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim, preferred this view.

Key Points

• View 1: Udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah cannot be combined (Maliki, Shafi‘i, one report from Ahmad).
• View 2: One sacrifice can suffice for both (Hanafi, another report from Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Sireen).
• Evidence for separation: each has its own cause and purpose.
• Evidence for combining: both are sacrifices for Allah, like combining ghusl for Jumu‘ah and Eid.
• Contemporary scholars like Ibn Ibrahim permitted combining when intentions coincide.

Detailed Answer

Aqiqah: A sacrifice offered for a newborn as a sunnah act of gratitude and protection.

Udhiyah (Qurbani): A separate sacrifice offered during Eid al-Adha as an act of worship and devotion.

The First View: No Combination

The Malikis, Shafi‘is, and one narration from Ahmad held that one animal cannot suffice for both udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah. Their reasoning: each act is an independent Sunnah with its own cause.

Al-Haytami said in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (9/371):

“If a person intends a sheep for both udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah, it fulfils neither purpose.”

Similarly, al-Hattaab noted in Mawaahib al-Jaleel (3/259) that the essence of both rites is shedding blood, so one cannot count for two.

The Second View: Combination Permissible

The Hanafis, another narration from Ahmad, and scholars like al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Sireen, and Qatadah allowed one sacrifice to suffice for both. They argued that since both are sacrifices to draw closer to Allah, they can be combined if intended.

Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated in al-Musannaf (5/534) that al-Hasan said:

“If they offer the udhiyah on behalf of the child, it also counts as ‘aqeeqah.”

Al-Bahooti said in Sharh Muntaha al-Iradaat (1/617):

“If the times for ‘aqeeqah and udhiyah coincide, and he offers the sacrifice, it may count as both.”

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim said:

“If he combines udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah then one is sufficient for the head of the household. He should intend both, and it is acceptable.” (Fataawa, 6/159)

What This Means for You

If the seventh day of the child’s birth coincides with Eid al-Adha or the days of tashreeq, one animal may suffice for both udhiyah and ‘aqeeqah if intended. This is acceptable according to many scholars, though others require them to be separate. To be cautious, one may separate them if able.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Hadith

1. Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1515: Aqiqah prescribed for a boy and a girl.
2. Sunan Ibn Majah 3163: Two sheep for a boy, one for a girl.
3. Sunan al-Nasa’i 4218: Aqiqah performed for Hasan and Husain.
4. Sahih al-Bukhari 5565: Prophet ﷺ sacrificed on Eid al-Adha.
5. Sahih Muslim 1966: Rulings on sacrificial animals.

Secondary Sources

6. Ibn Abi Shaybah, al-Musannaf (5/534): Report from al-Hasan on combining udhiyah and aqeeqah.
7. Al-Haytami, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (9/371): Udhiyah and aqeeqah cannot be combined.
8. Al-Hattaab, Mawaahib al-Jaleel (3/259): Reasoning for separation of the rites.
9. Al-Bahooti, Sharh Muntaha al-Iradaat (1/617): Permissibility of combining if times coincide.
10. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim, Fataawa (6/159): One sacrifice may suffice with both intentions.
11. IslamQA Fatwa 106630: Detailed ruling on combining udhiyah and aqeeqah.