Inviting people to the `Aqiqah

Q 1: With regard to `Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn), Sa`d ibn `Abdul-Rahman said that all senior scholars of the K.S.A. He knows as well as the Salaf (righteous predecessors) whose example he considers would invite people to their `Aqiqah. Moreover, such a behavior of theirs has been denied by nobody till now.

A: `Aqiqah is the sacrificial animal slaughtered when a newborn is seven days old out of thankfulness to Allah for His gift of the male or female newborn. It is a Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) because of Hadith reported to this effect. Accordingly, he who offers a `Aqiqah for his newborn may invite people to eat its meat at his house and may distribute its meat, cooked or uncooked, to the poor, his relatives, neighbors, friends ... Etc.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.