What is Aqiqa? “Aqiqa is the child’s rescue from Satan and protection for his efforts for the good of his life Hereafter.” (Faid al-Qadir) Aqiqa is a way to express your gratitude to Allah (SWT) for the blessing of your beautiful baby, through the sacrifice of a goat or sheep. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) himself used to perform Aqiqa after the birth of a newborn, to protect the baby and give thanks. Traditionally, the Sunnah of the prophet (saw) is that one animal is sacrificed upon the birth of a baby girl, and two animals are sacrificed for the birth of a baby boy.