Aqeeqa and Sadaqatul Fitr

AQUEEQA

Aqeeqa means Sacrifice of an animal for a newly born child and the removal of the baby's hair. When a child is male or female, it should be given a name on the seventh "day of birth. When the hair of the head of the baby is shaved, a sacrifice is also offered which is called Aqueeqa. By Aqueeqa all impurities of the child are removed and the child is saved from all calamities by Allah.
Aqueeqa is performed on the sev­enth day of the birth of a child. If not done on the seventh day, then, whenever it is done, it should be the seventh day, e.g. if the child was born on a Friday, then Aqueeqa should be performed on the following Thursday (the 7th day after birth). If it is not performed on this Thursday, then any other Thursday.
The method of performing Aqueeqa is that for a male child, two goats or sheep and for a girl one goat or sheep is sacrificed. If an animal of seven shares (cow or camel) is used for Aqueeqa, then two shares will be taken for a male and one for a female. The hair of the head is then shaved. Silver, equal to the weight of the shaved hair, is also given in charity. However, this is not compulsory.
That animal which is not permissible for Qurbani, is also not permissible for Aqueeqa. Requiremnets for the animals of Qurbani and Aqueeqa are the same.It is permissible to distribute the meat of an animal of Aqueeqa raw or cooked, and can also be served to guests.
If one does not possess sufficient money, then it is permissible for such a person to raerifice only one goat for a male child. There is no harm if Aqueeqa is not performed, provided one does not have the means for Aqueeqa.Before sacrificing the animal (for Aqueeqa), the following Du'aa may be recited:Which means "O' Allah I sacrifice this animal in Thy name as a sadqa for my child in substitution, blood for blood, flesh for flesh, bones for bones, skin for skin and hair for hair.
O' Allah accept this sacrifice for the protection of my child from hell. If the Aqueeqa is for a Girl then in place of *Sf say and mention the name of the child boy or girls at this point. **Du'aa for slaughtering. Lay the throat of the animal towards the Qiblah and recite
"For me,! have set my face, firmly and truly towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth. And never shall I give partners to Allah.
Verily my worship and my sacrifice, my liv­ing and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. O Allah this sacrifice is from You and is for You." While Slaughtering the animal read: Translation: "In the name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest."

Sadaqatul Fitr(Fitrana)

Sadaqatul Fitr is Waajib upon one who possesses so much that Zakaat is due on him.
A person (on whom Zakaat is not due) possesses items more than his daily needs (for the purpose of trade of otherwise). The value of these items adds up to the Nisaab (amount for Zakaat being Waajib). Sadaqatul Fitr will be Waajib upon such a person as well even though a whole year may not have passed on such items.
A person should discharge his Sadaqatul Fitr in respect of himself and all those who are dependent upon him like his wife and his minor children (who do not possess any wealth). If they do, then Sadaqatul Fitr may be given from their wealth.
It is not Waajib to give Sadaqatul Fitr on behalf of one's mature children. Yes, one may give on behalf of one's insane child.
Note: One upon whom Sadaqatul Fitr is Waajib, must discharge this duty whether he has observed the Rozas of Ramadhaan or not.
Sadaqatul Fitr is not Waajib on one for whom it is permissible to take Zakaat and Sadaqatul Fitr.
Sadaqatul Fitr becomes Waajib on the day of Eid as the time of Fajr Salaah arrives. If one dies before the time of Fajr Salaah, Sadaqatul Fitr will not be Waajib upon him. Neither should it be taken nor paid from his property.

It is better to give Sadaqatul Fitr before reaching the Eidgaah. However, if it is not given before, it may then be given after the.Eid Salaah.

If one discharges this duty before the day of Eid, i.e. during Ramadhaan, the duty will be regarded as discharged and will not have to be repeated.
If one did not give Sadaqatul Fitr on Eid day, he will not be absolved of this duty. He should thus give it on any subsequent day.
The following could be given as Sadaqatul Fitr:
1/2 Saa' wheat, flour, bran or raisins; or
One Saa' dates or barley; or
The equivalent of either one in cash or kind.
One Saa' equals approximately 3.828kg.
The recipients of Sadaqatul Fitr are the same as that of Zakaat.
Further, the Sadaqatul Fitr of one person could be given to just one
rightful recipient or could be dis­tributed between a few recipients of Sadaqatul Fitr.
It is also permissible that the Sadaqatul Fitr of a
group of people be collectively given to just one
individual recipient of Sadaqatul Fitre.