Is it necessary to slaughter two sheep for the Aqiqah of a boy, or is it permissible to suffice with one if another has already been slaughtered for him previously?
The Sunnah for 'Aqiqah is two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. If only one sheep is sacrificed for a boy, it is sufficient, and the basic Sunnah is achieved, especially if one is in financial hardship. 'Aqiqah is not forfeited by delay, but it is recommended not to delay it past the age of puberty. If the child reaches puberty and no 'Aqiqah has been performed for him, the obligation of 'Aqiqah falls away from others, and he has the choice to perform 'Aqiqah for himself. If 'Aqiqah was performed for the first child with one sheep, and his father wishes to sacrifice the second to complete the two sheep, there is no harm in that, as long as the child has not reached puberty. It is not necessary for the two sheep to be sacrificed at the same time. As for the second child, 'Aqiqah should be performed for him with two sheep, as long as he has not reached puberty; if he reaches puberty, the demand for 'Aqiqah from the father falls away.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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