How to Pronounce aqeeqah

Meaning and Context

Aqeeqah, also transliterated as Aqiqah, is a foundational Islamic birth ceremony and religious obligation (Sunnah) performed to celebrate the arrival of a newborn and to express profound gratitude to Allah. Rooted in the Prophetic traditions (Hadith) of both Sunni and Shia Islam, the core Aqeeqah ritual involves the sacrifice of a healthy, permissible animal—typically one goat for a girl and two goats for a boy—on the seventh day after birth, though it can be performed later if necessary. This sacred act of Islamic sacrifice symbolizes the parents' devotion, seeks divine blessings and protection for the child's life, and reinforces communal bonds through the distribution of the meat, with a portion given to the poor and needy. The complete Aqeeqa ceremony also includes shaving the baby's head, with the weight of the hair in silver traditionally given as charity, and formally bestowing the chosen Islamic name upon the child. As a cherished newborn celebration, Aqeeqah serves as a spiritual welcome for the infant into the Muslim community, embodying principles of thankfulness, charity, and social solidarity that are central to the faith.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The most common transliteration from the Arabic "عقيقة" is Aqeeqah, which emphasizes the long 'ee' sound and the 'q' (ق), a deep guttural consonant not native to English. The alternative spelling Aqiqah is equally prevalent and widely accepted, often preferred for its simplicity. Common misspellings and typos arise from phonetic guesses or keyboard errors, such as Aqeeka, Akeekah, Aqiqa, or Aqeeqa (dropping the 'h'). The term is sometimes incorrectly written as Aqeeqa ceremony without the terminal 'h', blending the noun and description. It is also occasionally confused with the similar-sounding "Aqiq," which refers to a type of carnelian stone, leading to irrelevant search results. Ensuring the correct spelling is important for accurate religious research and when seeking services for organizing the ritual sacrifice.

Example Sentences

Following the birth of their son, the family began preparations for his Aqeeqah, planning to sacrifice two healthy lambs on the seventh day.

Many Muslim parents consult their local mosque or a specialized Islamic charity to arrange the Aqiqah sacrifice in accordance with Sharia guidelines.

The joy of the Aqeeqa ceremony was amplified by the distribution of the cooked meat to relatives and to families in need within the community.

A key component of the Aqeeqah is shaving the baby's head and donating the equivalent weight of the hair in silver as sadaqah (charity).

While the preferred time is soon after birth, performing a belated Aqiqah for an older child is still considered a valid and meritorious act.

The imam's sermon beautifully connected the themes of the Aqeeqah ritual—gratitude, charity, and community—to the broader teachings of Islam.

Related Pronunciations

• How to pronounce gharib
• How to pronounce eid Mubarak
• How to pronounce lmlah
• How to pronounce Alawi
• How to pronounce mufassir