Short answer
Yes. In the Hanafi school an aqiqah that was missed in childhood can be done at any later time, by the parents or by the person himself as an adult. The seventh day is best, but the sunnah does not expire, and there is no sin for having missed it.
A late aqiqah is permissible and rewarded at any age, done by the parents or by the person for himself. Since aqiqah is mustahabb, missing it is not a sin and needs no make up.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The parent's sunnah ends when the child reaches puberty; after that the person may do aqiqah for himself.
- Hanbali
- Aqiqah is the father's sunnah; Imam Ahmad held that a grown person does not do it for himself, though some Hanbali scholars allow it.
Explanation
Aqiqah is an act of thanks for a child. The hadith ties it to the seventh day as the best time, but nothing in the sources says the thanks may not be given later. This is why Hanafi scholars allow a late aqiqah at any age.
A report that the Prophet ﷺ did aqiqah for himself after his prophethood is graded weak by most hadith scholars, so it is not the proof. The permission rests on the general nature of aqiqah and on the hadith that whoever wishes to sacrifice for a child may do so.
Common cases:
- Parents who could not afford it: do it now for each child; the reward is still there.
- An adult whose parents never did it: you may do it for yourself, or simply give charity and make dua in thanks.
- Several children at once: one cow with seven shares can cover several aqiqahs, two shares for each boy and one for each girl, or one for each.
- With qurbani: in the Hanafi school, some shares of a qurbani cow can be taken with the intention of aqiqah.
- Someone else pays: a grandparent or relative can do it with the parents' permission.
Do not delay without a reason, and do not go into debt for it. Count animals and costs with the aqiqah calculator, and see how many goats.
The evidence
Sunan Abi Dawud 2842
Graded hasan... من ولد له ولد فأحب أن ينسك عنه فلينسك ...
"Whoever has a child born to him and wishes to offer a sacrifice for it, let him do so."
Aqiqah is tied to the parent's wish, not to a narrow deadline.
Sunan Abi Dawud 2838
Graded sahih... كل غلام رهينة بعقيقته تذبح عنه يوم سابعه ...
"Every child is held in pledge for its aqiqah, slaughtered on its seventh day."
The seventh day is the best time.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Udhiyah, closing discussion on aqiqah. On aqiqah and its link to the rules of udhiyah.
- Kashshaf al-Qina', Chapter on aqiqah. The Hanbali view that aqiqah is on the father.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.