Is it permissible to buy 30-40 kilograms of veal as an aqiqah for a newborn instead of slaughtering, especially if the price of a sacrificial animal is exorbitant and insufficient to cover relatives and loved ones?

The majority of scholars hold that the Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn) must be from livestock (camels, cattle, sheep). This is agreed upon by the Hanafis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis, and is the more preponderant of the two opinions among the Malikis. The Shafi'is favor the sufficiency of one-seventh of a camel or a cow for the Aqiqah, whereas the Malikis and Hanbalis consider it insufficient unless it is a complete camel or a complete cow.

If a person buys one-seventh or more of a live calf, and the calf reaches the legal age (two years or more), it is permissible for Aqiqah. However, if he buys the meat after slaughter, it is not sufficient, due to the obligation of having the intention (niyyah) before slaughter. The intention at the time of slaughter is a condition for the Aqiqah, just as it is for the Udhiyah (sacrifice on Eid al-Adha) and the Hady (sacrifice during Hajj). One-seventh of a camel or a cow is sufficient according to the Shafi'is even if the other participants do not intend nearness to Allah, and the Hanbalis agreed with them regarding Udhiyah and Hady, but prohibited it for Aqiqah. The Hanafis permitted it if all participants intended nearness to Allah, even if the aspect of nearness differed. The Malikis prohibited sharing in Hady, Udhiyah, and Aqiqah.