Aqeeqah is the sunnah practice of performing an animal sacrifice to celebrate a child’s birth. It is an act of thanks to Allah for the gift of a newborn child, carried out by the parents or family on behalf of the baby. Our UK aqeeqah meat service provides fresh, halal sheep sourced and slaughtered in approved British abattoirs, prepared according to both Sunnah requirements and UK hygiene standards.
Customers can order one sheep for a girl and two sheep for a boy, with options for whole carcass collection or fully cut and packed meat. We can arrange the slaughter on the seventh day after the child’s birth or on another specific day requested by the family, subject to operating schedules. We offer UK-wide chilled delivery in insulated packaging, as well as collection from our premises. Visit our website or get in touch to place your order.The meat from aqiqah is distributed to family, friends, and the needy. This generous sharing is central to the practice. It reinforces community bonds, brings people together around the new baby, and ensures that the joy of birth reaches those who might otherwise go without. Aqeeqah is a charitable act as much as it is a personal one.
The best time for aqiqah is the seventh day after birth. This is the preferred date established by the sunnah of prophet muhammad ï·º. The seventh day is calculated from the day of birth, with the birth day counted as day one.
If the seventh day is not possible, alternatives are accepted:
The 14th day after birth
The twenty first day after birth
Any later date, if circumstances require it
It is permissible to perform aqiqah later than the seventh day. If delayed, aqeeqah can be done years after the child’s birth. Scholars confirm it remains valid and recommended regardless of the child’s age.
When counting Islamic days in the UK, note that a day technically begins at sunset. For practical planning, most families count from the calendar date of birth. There is flexibility for parents who cannot manage it on the exact day due to health, finances, or scheduling. We can schedule the sacrifice on a specific day chosen by the family, subject to slaughterhouse operating days and order cut-off times (typically by midday on monday or the working day before the desired slaughter).
The aqeeqah day combines worship, celebration, and charity. It is one of the first significant acts the parents perform on behalf of their son or daughter.
The main sunnah actions on the day include:
Prophet muhammad ï·º performed aqeeqah for al Hasan and al Husayn, his grandsons, sacrificing two rams for each on the seventh day, naming them, and shaving their heads. This is the model event most scholars reference.
The meat is divided into three parts: one third for the family, one third for friends and neighbours, and one third for the poor and needy. Meat may be given raw or cooked. Many families choose to host a simple meal, inviting relatives and the local community to share in the blessings of the occasion.
We source healthy, defect-free UK sheep that meet both Islamic requirements and UK animal welfare standards. Every animal is of appropriate age, inspected, and slaughtered in a UK-approved abattoir by a trained Muslim slaughterman, with tasmiya (Bismillah) spoken and the animal facing qiblah.
Our aqeeqah sheep packages include:
Every sacrifice is carried out as an act of dhabiha, meeting the standards you would expect from a present, practising halal butchery.
Customers can choose between collecting the whole carcass or having the sheep fully cut, portioned, and hygienically packed.
Typical cuts include:
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For delivery, we use insulated chilled packaging to ensure aqeeqah meat arrives fresh across the UK. Collection slots are available from our premises for those who prefer to pick up in person. Orders should be placed by midday at least one working day before the desired slaughter date. Deliveries are typically dispatched mid-week, arriving on Thursday in most postcodes.
Your meat arrives ready to cook or freeze, with basic storage guidance included.
Placing an order is straightforward. Here is what we need from you:
Baby’s details – name, gender, and date of birth
Preferred aqeeqah day – the specific day you would like the sacrifice performed, whether that is the seventh day, another date, or as soon as possible
Package choice – one sheep or two sheep, cutting style (whole carcass or fully cut), and delivery or collection
Payment – secure online payment with immediate email confirmation
Confirmation – we send a follow-up message once the sacrifice has been carried out on your behalf
Donors can entrust organisations to perform aqiqah on their behalf. If you are unsure about dates, the difference between one sheep and two, or any other detail, contact our team. We are happy to talk through the options before you pay or commit. Whether you hope to arrange it for a sunday, a monday, or a week from now, we will find a slot that works.
The reward of aqeeqah is closely tied to how generously the meat is shared. This is not just about the sacrifice itself – it is about what happens after.
Common distribution follows a simple model:
Portion | Who receives it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
One third | Family and household | Cook and serve at home, or freeze for later |
One third | Friends, relatives, neighbours | Given raw or as a cooked meal |
One third | The poor and needy | Distributed through mosques, charities, or directly |
One third of aqiqah meat is for family, one third for friends, and one third for the needy. Aqeeqah meat can be distributed to the needy through local mosques, food banks, or community organisations. Many UK families use this as an opportunity to reach refugees, students, and low-income households.
We can, on request, direct some or all of the aqeeqah meat to UK-based charitable distribution channels where available and logistically feasible. Just let us know when you place your order, and we will do what we can to make it happen.
Can aqeeqah still be done if my child is several years old? Yes. It is permissible to perform aqiqah years after the child’s birth. There is no age limit. Many scholars encourage it even for an older person who discovers it was never carried out for them. The act remains valid and carries great reward at any life stage.
Is one sheep enough for a boy? The sunnah is two sheep for a boy and one for a girl. However, scholars permit one sheep for a boy in genuine hardship. If money is tight, do not let the cost of a second animal prevent you from performing aqeeqah altogether. One is better than none.
What is the difference between aqeeqah and qurbani? Aqiqah is performed after a child’s birth. Udhiyah (qurbani) is performed during Eid al-Adha on specific days. They have different intentions, timings, and rulings. A mother or father may carry out both at different times of the year.
How early should I book? Place your order at least one to two working days before your preferred slaughter date. Orders received by monday are typically processed the same week for thursday delivery.
Which UK areas do you deliver to? We offer chilled courier delivery across the UK. Collection is also available from our premises for those nearby.
Can I combine aqeeqah meat with a family BBQ or community meal? Absolutely. Many families cook the meat and serve it at a gathering. There is nothing in the sunnah that prevents this – in fact, it is encouraged as a way to share the blessings and joy of the new born child with those around you, spreading peace and hope throughout the community. It is a practice with deep meaning and real, tangible benefit.
Visit our website to place your aqeeqah order, or contact us directly if you need guidance on timing, quantities, or delivery. We handle the slaughter, cutting, and logistics so you can focus on welcoming your baby into the world.
