What is the number of sheep sufficient for a male newborn, and is it permissible to hold the Aqiqah feast as an open buffet, and what is the ruling on authorizing another to slaughter, and is it necessary to mention the newborn's name at the time of slaughter?

A single sheep suffices for the aqiqah (definition) of a male newborn, though two sheep are preferable. The wisdom behind the female being half of the male in this regard is that the objective is the preservation of life, thus resembling the diyah (blood money). It is permissible to make the aqiqah a walimah (definition) (feast) to which people are invited, and it is permissible to slaughter more than two sheep if there are many attendees. It is also permissible to appoint someone to slaughter and prepare the aqiqah. It is not a condition to mention the newborn's name at the time of slaughter; rather, the important thing is to have the intention that it is for the aqiqah.