Is it permissible to substitute the 'aqiqah for three deceased triplets by purchasing a calf equivalent in value to five sheep, and is it distributed as the sacrificial animal (udhiyah) is distributed?
Aqīqah for deceased children is legislated, but it is not a religious obligation. It is most probable that it should be slaughtered on the seventh day, even if the infant dies before it. Scholars differ regarding the permissibility of sharing one cow for multiple children. The Shāfi‘īs permit it, while the majority of scholars hold that a full cow is sufficient for only one child. This latter view is the more apparent and cautious one. The age of a cow that suffices for Aqīqah is two years. The meat of the Aqīqah is distributed like that of the Uḍḥiyah: it is eaten from, given as charity, and gifted.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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