`Aqiqah with animals other than those of grazing livestock

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Q 2: If the father has no sheep for 'Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn), will it be sufficient to slaughter a cock or a duck? Is giving (gold equal to) the weight of the hair of the new baby as a charity obligatory or not?

A2: 'Aqiqah for a new baby is an act of the Sunnah (action following the teachings of the Prophet), and not obligatory. It is Mustahab (desirable) to slaughter two sheep for a male child and one for a female, according to the Hadith of Um Karaz that she asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about the 'Aqiqah and he answered: Two sheep are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl. Narrated by Ahmad, and Al-Tirmidhy ranking it (a Hadith) as Sahih (authentic). A cock and a duck do not meet the conditions of 'Aqiqah. It is Mustahab (desirable) to shave the head of the male newborn baby seven days after his birth.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.