Can money being used for AQIQA be given to a needy person and the obligation of AQIQA fulfilled?
Answer
(Fatwa: 369/384/B=1431)
No, it will not discharge the requirement of Aqiqah. It is sunnah to slaughter a goat which fulfils the provision of Qurbani. As it is obligatory to shed blood i.e. slaughtering animal, in the same way shedding blood is also sunnah in Aqiqah. Merely by giving money to poor, the sunnah of Aqiqah will not be fulfilled.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband