How to Pronounce aqeeqa

Meaning and Context

Aqeeqa, also transliterated as Aqiqah, is a foundational Islamic birth rite and a cherished Sunnah, a tradition established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This sacred ceremony, performed to celebrate the safe arrival of a newborn, is an act of gratitude (shukr) to Allah and a means of seeking divine blessings and protection for the child's life. The central ritual involves the sacrifice of a halal animal—two sheep or goats for a boy and one for a girl—typically on the seventh day after birth, though it can be performed later. The Aqeeqa ceremony is a holistic Islamic tradition that integrates several meaningful acts: shaving the baby's head, with the weight of the hair given in silver as charity (sadaqah), formally bestowing a chosen name upon the child, and distributing the meat. This distribution follows a specific protocol, with portions cooked for a communal feast, given to relatives, and, importantly, donated to the poor and needy, emphasizing social solidarity. As a newborn celebration deeply rooted in both Sunni and Shia practices, the Aqiqah ritual serves as a spiritual welcome for the child into the Muslim community (Ummah) and remains a vibrant Islamic sacrifice observed by Muslim families across the globe.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term exists under several accepted transliterations from Arabic, with "Aqiqah" (عقيقة) being the most common globally, particularly in scholarly texts and Southeast Asia. "Aqeeqa" is a frequent alternative spelling that reflects a different phonetic emphasis, common in South Asian and some Western contexts. Common misspellings and typos arise from attempts to phonetically approximate the Arabic 'qaf' (ق) sound, which is not native to English, leading to variations like "Akeeka," "Aqeeka," or "Aqeeqah." The double 'e' is often mistakenly written as a single 'e' ("Aqiqa") or an 'i' ("Aqiqah" is correct, but "Aqiiqah" is a typo). Some may incorrectly add an 'h' to the end of the "Aqeeqa" spelling, creating "Aqeeqah," which blends the two major forms. It is also occasionally confused with the similar-sounding "Aqeeq," which refers to a type of carnelian gemstone in Islamic culture, leading to erroneous searches or references.

Example Sentences

Following the birth of their son, the family began planning the aqeeqa, ensuring they could procure healthy sheep for the sacrifice on the seventh day.

As part of the aqiqah ritual, the imam gently shaved the baby's head while the family announced his name, Ali, to the gathered relatives.

Many Muslim parents view the aqeeqa not just as a celebration, but as a vital act of sadaqah (charity) because a significant portion of the meat is distributed to the less fortunate.

"We performed the aqiqah for our daughter last weekend," she explained, "and the community feast was a beautiful way to share our joy.

" While the sunnah recommends the seventh day, scholars agree that aqeeqa can be fulfilled at any time if it was not performed in infancy, allowing adults to complete this important Islamic tradition for themselves.

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