An animal was bought for the aqiqa and then the child died: what should be done with it

Question

A man bought a cow for his child’s aqiqa; as it happened, the child died. He then postponed his intention, sold the cow and gave the entire sum to a student as assistance. Is it permissible for this student to take this money or not? Does the aqiqa remain wajib upon this man or not? Is taking this money necessary or not?

Answer

The aqiqa is at most mustahabb; it is not obligatory: [ar]وَيُسْتَحَبُّ لِمَنْ وُلِدَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ أَنْ يُسَمِّيَهُ يَوْمَ أُسْبُوعِهِ… ثُمَّ يَعُقُّ عِنْدَ الْحَلْقِ عَقِيقَةَ إِبَاحَةٍ عَلَى مَا فِي الْجَامِعِ الصَّغِيرِ، أَوْ تَطَوُّعًا عَلَى مَا فِي الشَّرْحِ الطَّحْطَاوِيِّ[/ar] “It is mustahabb for one to whom a child is born to name it on its seventh day…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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