They entered upon Hafsah bint 'Abdur-Rahman to ask her about the 'Aqiqah. She informed them that 'Aishah had informed her, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered them that for a boy, two sheep were sufficient, and for a girl one sheep.
Hadith Text & Reference
They entered upon Hafsah bint 'Abdir-Rahman to ask her about the 'Aqiqah. She informed them that 'Aishah had informed her, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ordered them that for a boy, two sheep were sufficient, and for a girl one sheep.
Source: Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1513 | The Book on Sacrifices
Chain of Narration (Isnad)
This narration reaches us through a reliable chain: The companions asked Hafsah bint 'Abdur-Rahman, who narrated from the Mother of the Believers 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who directly reported from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Legal Ruling (Hukm) of 'Aqiqah
The 'Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) for those who have the means. It is an act of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a newborn child and serves as a means of protection for the infant.
Quantity & Timing
For a male child: Two sheep that meet the sacrificial requirements. For a female child: One sheep. The preferred time is on the seventh day after birth, though it may be performed later if necessary.
Wisdom & Benefits
The 'Aqiqah expresses gratitude to Allah, announces the birth, fosters social bonds through sharing meat, and serves as redemption for the child - just as Allah redeemed Ismail with a ram.
Scholarly Consensus
This ruling represents the consensus of the majority of scholars including Imam Malik, Ash-Shafi'i, and Ahmad. The differentiation between male and female reflects the comprehensive nature of Islamic law while maintaining the essential equality of souls before Allah.