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Fatwa CenterAqeeqah and its observance
Question
I read Fataawa on your site about 'Aqeeqah' as I understand; I should be done on 7th day.
My question is: If one misses doing the Aqeeqah on seventh day, when can he do it later on (my friend told me that it can then be done on 14th, 21st, as so on days). Will the reward from Allaah differ if the Aqeeqah is done after the 7th day?
Further, my family members say that my wife should not wear new clothes during the first 40 days following the birth of child (as my wife wants to use new clothes on the child's Aqeeqah day). Does this belief have any support in Islamic fate....? Please provide your advise on the above issues at the earliest.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The majority of the scholars 
are of the view that the 'Aqeeqah is a Sunnah (recommended act) and not a religious obligation. It appears that slaughtering the animal on the seventh day for the 'Aqeeqah (i.e. the slaughtering done for a newborn) is more rewarding than slaughtering it on the 14th or 21st day after the birth of the child, for whoever is able to slaughter, because slaughtering the animal on the seventh day is what is required, and by doing so, one hastens to act according to the Sunnah.
Al-Mardaawi 
from the Hanbali School of jurisprudence, said: "Slaughtering the 'Aqeeqah on the seventh day is better."
However, it is hoped that whoever delayed it for a valid reason will get the full reward, by Allaah's Grace and Mercy.
As regards your saying that women after giving birth to the child cannot wear new clothes before 40 days elapse, then there is no evidence from the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of the Prophet about this. So she can wear new clothes especially if she wants to show her happiness about the Blessing of Allaah [on her]. Moreover, the Prophet said: "Indeed, Allaah likes to see the effect of His Blessing on His Slave." [At-Tirmithi]
Allaah Knows best.
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