Short answer
Yes, in the Hanafi school. Aqiqah meat follows the rules of qurbani meat, which may be given to rich or poor, Muslim or non-Muslim. Inviting non-Muslim neighbours, colleagues or relatives to the aqiqah meal is permissible and a good way to share the joy. Some Maliki and Shafi'i scholars disagree.
It is permissible to give aqiqah or qurbani meat to non-Muslims who are not at war with Muslims, and to feed them at the aqiqah meal. Zakat, by contrast, may not be given to non-Muslims.
Other madhhabs
- Maliki
- Giving sacrificial meat to non-Muslims is disliked.
- Shafi'i
- Many Shafi'i scholars do not allow giving sacrificial meat to non-Muslims, though feeding them from a voluntary sacrifice is discussed.
Explanation
Allah does not forbid kindness and fairness to those who do not fight Muslims over religion, and He praises those who feed the poor, the orphan and the captive, who at the time were non-Muslims. The Hanafi scholars apply this to sacrificial meat: the one who sacrifices may eat it, gift it to anyone, and give it in charity to anyone.
In practice:
- Inviting non-Muslim neighbours, friends, colleagues or family to the aqiqah meal is permissible, and it is a good chance to explain what aqiqah is.
- You may send them cooked or raw meat.
- Keep the gathering itself free of alcohol and anything haram, whoever attends.
- The meat should not be sold, and the butcher is paid separately, as with qurbani.
Where the schools differ: some Maliki scholars disliked it, and many Shafi'i scholars held that sacrificial meat is for Muslims only. If you follow the Shafi'i school, give the raw meat to Muslims and serve non-Muslim guests from other food.
For the day itself see what happens at an aqiqah, and for meat distribution see how many goats for aqiqah. On relations with non-Muslim family see treating non-Muslim parents.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Mumtahana 60:8
لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ ﴿٨﴾
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
Kindness to peaceful non-Muslims is allowed, which includes sharing food.
Quran, Surah Al-Insaan 76:8
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾
And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,
The captives fed by the believers were non-Muslims.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Udhiyah, chapter on using the sacrifice's meat and skin. Sacrificial meat may be given to rich and poor, Muslim and non-Muslim.
- al-Majmu' (Nawawi), Kitab al-Udhiyah. The Shafi'i discussion of giving sacrificial meat to non-Muslims.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. 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.