"For a boy two sheep, Mukafaatan (of equal age), and for a girl, one sheep,
The Book of al-'Aqiqah - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4216
Textual Analysis
The hadith establishes the prescribed quantity for the 'aqiqah sacrifice: two sheep of comparable age and quality for a male newborn, and one sheep for a female newborn.
The term "Mukafaatan" signifies animals that are equivalent in age, size, and freedom from defects, ensuring the sacrifice meets proper religious standards.
Juridical Rulings
This differentiation in quantity reflects the Islamic legal principle of testimony and inheritance where the male receives twice the portion of the female.
The 'aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah (mu'akkadah) performed on the seventh day after birth, expressing gratitude to Allah for the newborn.
Spiritual Significance
The sacrifice serves as redemption for the child, protecting them from harm just as Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice redeemed Ismail.
It symbolizes the child's connection to the community of Muslims and initiates them into the rites of Islamic worship.