What is the ruling on the aqiqah for a newborn if his father has a deferred debt, and is it sufficient for two-sevenths of a cow or calf for the male and one-seventh for the female?

If the father is able to combine paying off debt and performing the 'aqiqah, then the former is more deserving. Otherwise, paying off debt takes precedence because it is an obligation, whereas the 'aqiqah is a sunnah. It is also recommended to hasten in settling debts. The 'aqiqah is fulfilled by sacrificing one sheep, and its perfection for a boy is with two sheep. According to the Shafi'is, one-seventh of a cow or a camel suffices in place of a sheep. There is no harm in adopting this view, although performing an independent 'aqiqah for each newborn is more preferable.