Question:
Salaams,
recently I heard that mufti said that you cannot do your Aqiqa at a later age because you will not get any blessing if you do it or will not any sin if you dont do it, he says it was suppose to do when you were small, I will be 50 years inshallallah next year and I wanted to do my Aqiqa, but after hearing this am wondering now, please enlighten me with this jazakallah
Answer:
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Aqeeeqa is done on the 7th, 14th or 21st day after a child is born. Its true significance and virtue are achieved when it is done at this time. As such, some scholars have mentioned that when these days have passed, then the time for Aqeeqah has passed. Other scholars have stated that one can still do the Aqeeqah even though he is a grown-up adult (if his Aqeeqa was not done when he was a baby). In this case, the true significance of Aqeeqa will not be achieved (since it is a form of gratefulness which is expressed to Allah upon the birth of a child), but a person will get the blessings for offering a sacrifice to Allah.
With respect to persons of your age, scholars have mentioned that you will achieve more rewards if you sacrifice an animal (like a goat or sheep) and give it in sadaqa, than doing an Aqeeqah for yourself. The reason for this is that in the Shariah, Aqeeqah is really connected to the birth of a child where one expresses joy and happiness and gratitude to Allah by sacrificing an animal. In your case, there is no situation of the birth of a child. It should also be noted that Aqeeqa is not a duty imposed upon the Muslims which remains binding upon them. It is a commendable (Mustahab) act, which, if done, has many virtues and benefits, and if not done, will not bring about any wrongdoing, sin or neglect of one’s duty.
And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan.