Aqiqah Invitation Wording & Planning Guide
Celebrate a newborn with an aqiqah gathering. Get invitation wording, meal planning tips, and RSVP questions that save new parents time.
An aqiqah celebrates the arrival of a newborn and is often held on or around the seventh day after birth, with a meal shared among family, friends, and those in need. New parents have limited time and energy, so a simple invitation and an online RSVP can take a lot of pressure off. Here's how to plan it gracefully.
An aqiqah celebrates a new baby with a meal, prayers, and often the announcement of the child's name. New parents are tired, so simple planning helps. For related baby-naming events, see baby naming ceremony RSVPs.
Preparing for the aqiqah
An aqiqah usually involves meat portions shared with guests and charity, so knowing the count shapes the order. Let guests know if the gathering is at home or a hall, and whether you prefer donations instead of gifts.
8 ideas for your aqiqah
Keep it simple
A home gathering or community hall works perfectly.
Share the baby's name
Many families announce the name at the aqiqah.
Plan the meal
Arrange meat portions to share with guests, relatives, and charity.
Ask relatives to help
Delegate food, setup, and welcoming guests.
Create a quiet room
Give mother and baby a calm space.
Add sweet favors
Dates or small sweet boxes are lovely keepsakes.
Include a charity element
Invite guests to donate instead of bringing gifts.
Use an online RSVP
It saves new parents dozens of calls.
Invitation wording examples
Aqiqah invitations often express gratitude and invite guests to share the joy:
Alhamdulillah, we are blessed with a baby [boy/girl]. Please join us for the Aqiqah of [name] on [date] at [time]. Kindly RSVP.
Join us in celebrating our little one's Aqiqah with a meal and prayers. Let us know how many will attend.
With gratitude to Allah, we invite you to our baby's Aqiqah dinner. RSVP by [deadline].
Come meet our newest family member at the Aqiqah gathering. Please reply online.
Request replies a week ahead to finalize the meal. If you prefer no gifts, see asking for no gifts on your RSVP.
What to ask on your RSVP
To plan the meal and space for an aqiqah, ask:
Number of guests
Children attending
Dietary needs
Gift or donation preference
Arrival time
A SnapRSVP page can include the baby's name, a household count, and a charity note, all shared by link. New parents can see replies at a glance without phone calls. For other baby celebrations, see baby sprinkle RSVPs online.
Your aqiqah countdown
After birth: choose the day
Five days before: send the invitation and RSVP
Two days before: confirm meal order
Day of: welcome guests and share the meal
Many families hold the aqiqah on the seventh day, so plan quickly. Confirm numbers before ordering meat.
Practical tips for the aqiqah day
Many families hold the aqiqah on the seventh day after birth, though the fourteenth or twenty-first day, or a later date, is also common when the mother needs more recovery time. Confirm the sacrifice arrangements with your butcher or an organization early, because demand rises around Eid and weekends. If you're distributing meat, decide the split beforehand: a portion for the household, a portion for relatives and friends, and a portion for those in need.
Plan the gathering around the mother's comfort. A separate rest room near the main hall, a feeding area, and a family member assigned to hold the baby when she needs a break all make the day smoother. Keep the visit window to two or three hours so the newborn isn't passed around all afternoon.
Menu ideas and portion planning
Mains: mutton or lamb biryani, kabsa, or mandi made from the aqiqah meat are traditional favorites; plan roughly 250–300 grams of cooked meat per adult.
Sides: raita, salad, dates, and a lentil dish for guests who prefer lighter food.
Sweets: kheer, sheer khurma, or luqaimat; boxes of sweets or dates also make easy take-home favors.
Drinks: Arabic coffee, chai, and laban or rooh afza for children.
Caterers usually want a final count three to five days out, which is why a firm RSVP deadline matters for an aqiqah.
Etiquette and guest-count advice
Aqiqah guest lists range from twenty close relatives to two hundred community members. If space is limited, invite immediate family and close friends to the meal and share meat parcels with the wider circle. Ask guests on your RSVP whether they need separate seating for men and women, and whether elderly relatives need a chair near the entrance.
Guests often bring gifts of gold jewelry, clothing, or cash in an envelope; there's no need to request them. Many families also announce the baby's name at the gathering and may arrange the head-shaving and the charity equal to the weight of the hair in silver. Mentioning these on the invite helps guests understand the program.
Frequently asked questions
When is aqiqah held?
Often on the 7th day after birth, though it can be held later.
Do guests bring gifts?
Many do; parents can suggest donations instead.
Can it be combined with other events?
Some families combine it with a naming ceremony.
Final thoughts
An aqiqah is a joyful, meaningful gathering. Keep it simple, rely on family help, and give the new mother space to rest. To share your invite quickly, see sharing your RSVP on WhatsApp.