Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badāt
Question:
I would like to ask what if aqiqah is not performed for a child till the age of maturity like 25 years of age? What should be done in such a case?
Answer:
Jazakumullahu Khayran/ Thank you for your question.
“With every child, there is an aqīqah. Slaughter on behalf of the child, for indeed this will be a means to eliminate many harms from it”. (Bukhārī)
The instruction of rendering the aqīqah is upon the parents of the child, following the birth of the child. Aqīqah slaughter is to take place on the seventh day after childbirth (See: Musnad Aḥmad).
Some Islamic jurists have pointed out that if aqīqah was not performed on the seventh day, then it should be rendered on the 14th, 21st or 28th etc. (meaning any seventh day).
If the aqīqah was not performed upon the birth of the child, the parents may conduct the aqīqah whenever possible.
There is a difference of opinion regarding the matter of one performing their own aqīqah.
There are some islamic jurists who state that if aqīqah was not conducted by the parents, it is permitted for the children themselves to render their own aqīqah, whenever possible.
It is reported that Imam Ibn Sirīn rendered his own aqīqah as an adult.
And Allāh Knows Best.
