Reading time: 4 min • Amanah Farm
Your wife just gave birth to a boy? Mabrouk! Among the first questions that arise for the Aqiqa: should you sacrifice 1 or 2 sheep? The answer lies in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, but scholarly opinions vary slightly. Let’s clarify this.
What the Sunnah says: 2 sheep for a boy
« For a boy, two sheep equal in age and quality, and for a girl, one sheep. »
Reported by Aisha (رضي الله عنها) — Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i — Authenticated by Al-Albani
This hadith is the primary reference. The Sunnah clearly establishes that for a boy, the recommended number is two sheep. This is the position adopted by the majority of scholars.
Positions of the legal schools
| SCHOOL | AQIQA FOR BOY | AQIQA FOR GIRL |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | 1 sheep sufficient | 1 sheep |
| Maliki | 2 recommended, 1 acceptable | 1 sheep |
| Shafi’i | 2 sheep (Sunnah) | 1 sheep |
| Hanbali | 2 recommended, 1 if unable | 1 sheep |
Practical summary
| SITUATION | NUMBER OF SHEEP |
|---|---|
| Aqiqa for a girl | 1 sheep |
| Aqiqa for a boy (Sunnah) | 2 sheep (recommended) |
| Aqiqa for a boy (financial constraint) | 1 sheep (valid) |
| Twins (2 boys) | 4 sheep recommended (2 per child) |
| Twins (boy + girl) | 3 sheep recommended |
🐑 Order your boy’s Aqiqa now → amanah-farm.org/produit/aqiqa/