What is “Aqiqah”? Is it compulsory with the birth of a child? How soon should it be arranged?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

‘Aqeeqah is a confirmed Sunnah. If the guardian of the child is capable of slaughtering two sheep for a baby boy and one sheep for a female child, he should do so. The Prophet said: “A baby is being pledged for his ‘Aqeeqah, sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved, and a name is given to him.” One may slaughter three sheep for his son and daughter. If one cannot slaughter on the seventh day, one may slaughter on the fourteenth day, or on the twenty-first day. If one is not capable of doing so, then one may slaughter any time before the puberty of the child. After puberty, the person should slaughter for himself/herself.

Allah knows best.