Last updated: 14 October 2026 | Written for Eid ul Adha 2027
Qurbani Easy Editorial Team • Advised by our panel of Islamic scholars
Quick Answer: The sources we opened agree on the starting point: the Aqeeqah is for the newborn and is done by the father or the person responsible for the child’s expenses. Hanafi answers say the father (Muftionline) or the parents, and guardians if they are not present (Askimam). A Shafi’i answer says it is an emphasized sunnah for whoever the law entrusts with the newborn’s financial needs. Maliki and Hanbali: no openable source found.
Families often ask who should arrange the Aqeeqah: the father alone, both parents, a guardian, a grandparent? This guide shows what each source says, in its own school, and does not fill gaps by guessing.
What the Hanafi sources say
- Muftionline (Mufti Ebrahim Salejee): “The child’s aqeeqah is done by the father”, and it is mustahab and preferable, not a must (“Questions on aqeeqah”).
- Muftionline, divorce situation: asked who should perform the Aqeeqah when the parents are divorced, the answer is “The father may do it.”
- Askimam (Mufti Ebrahim Desai): “It is the responsibility of the parents to perform Aqiqah. If they are not present, then the Guardians of the child should perform it. If they haven’t and the child is then adopted, it would be preferred for the adopted parents to perform it.”
What the Shafi’i sources say
- Shafiifiqh.com: the aqeeqah is an emphasized sunnah for any individual entrusted by sacred law to take charge of the financial needs of a newborn, in most instances, but not exclusively, the parents. The request is suspended for 60 days after birth; if the parent was able to perform it in that time and did not, the request remains until the child reaches puberty, after which the child is requested to do it (citing Nihayah and Tuhfah). The answer also records that two later commentators differed on whether a parent for whom the request has lapsed can still validly perform it.
- Darul Iftaa Jordan: it is recommendable for a person to make the Aqeeqah for himself if his parents did not (citing Ibn Hajar al-Haitami, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj 7/425).
Side by side
| Question | Hanafi sources | Shafi’i sources | Maliki / Hanbali |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is responsible? | The father; the parents; guardians if they are absent | The person entrusted with the newborn’s expenses, usually the parents | No openable source found: ask your scholar |
| If it was not done in childhood | Not addressed in the answers we opened (see our adults guide) | Recommended for the person to do it for himself as an adult | Ask your scholar |
| A relative giving it as a gift | Not addressed | Not addressed | Not addressed |
Booking through Qurbani Easy
Our guide to gifting an Aqeeqah covers the booking steps. The booking form takes the child’s name; it cannot decide for you who the Aqeeqah is for. If that is unclear in your family, ask a scholar of your school before you book. You can then book Aqeeqah online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a relative book the Aqeeqah as a gift?
None of the sources we opened addresses this. Speak with the parents first and ask your own scholar. For the booking side, see Gifting an Aqeeqah.
What if the parents did not do the Aqeeqah?
The Shafi’i sources we opened say it is recommended for the person, as an adult, to make it for himself (Darul Iftaa Jordan, citing Tuhfat al-Muhtaj). For adults in general, see Aqeeqah for adults.
Does the mother do it?
The Askimam answer speaks of “the parents” and of guardians if they are not present; the Muftionline answers say the father. We found no source we could open that separates the mother’s role, so ask your scholar if the question applies to you.
What about grandparents?
We did not find a source we could open that names grandparents. Ask your scholar.
Related guides: Aqeeqah for adults; why the 7th day is considered afzal; Aqeeqah or Sadqah for a newborn.
Citation Sources
• Muftionline (Hanafi), “Questions on aqeeqah” — islamqa.org — the child’s Aqeeqah is done by the father; mustahab, not a must.
• Muftionline (Hanafi), “Aqeeqah in a divorce situation” — islamqa.org — the father may do it.
• Askimam (Hanafi, Mufti Ebrahim Desai) — islamqa.org — parents; guardians; adoptive parents preferred.
• Shafiifiqh.com (Shafi’i, Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan) — islamqa.org — emphasized sunnah for the person entrusted with the newborn’s needs; the 60-day rule; the child after puberty.
• Darul Iftaa Jordan (Shafi’i) — islamqa.org — recommended for a person to make the Aqeeqah for himself if his parents did not.
Madhab note: Hanafi and Shafi’i sources are shown side by side; for the Maliki and Hanbali schools we did not find a source we could open, so we do not state their view. Where a point is not addressed in the answers we opened, the table says so.