Aqiqah Tradition in Java and Its Explanation

Have you ever heard about the Aqiqah tradition in Java? For Muslims that live on Java Island, Aqiqah is one of the most traditions they should have when having a new baby born.

Aqiqah tradition in Java is influenced by the Islamic culture that already exist many years ago. The tradition follows all of the Islamic rule including the step-by-step and everything in between.

Aqiqah tradition in Java commonly has the same values as all Aqiqah traditions in Indonesia. Not only bring Islamic values but also the culture of Indonesia itself.

If you are wondering what kind of Aqiqah tradition is in Java, here we have some explanation below. Let’s check them out!

What is Aqiqah?

Aqiqah is a ritual based on Islamic culture that should be done by Muslims when they have a new baby born. Aqiqah tradition in Java is commonly held following Islamic rule, including all of the steps.

Aqiqah tradition in Java is commonly held after the baby reaches the age of seven days. Following the sacred culture that developed on the Island, the seven days of the baby’s born to bring good things for those who believe.

Aqiqah is held by a family who has a new baby born. The family will slaughter one or two goats depending on the sex of the baby. After that, they cooked the lamb and delivered them to their relatives and neighbors.

The purpose of Aqiqah

Based on the Islamic rules, Aqiqah has a specific purpose as they follow the Sunnah from the Prophet Muhammad. Aqiqah tradition in Java has the same purpose as Islamic rule but involves the sacred culture inside.

Aqiqah tradition in Java commonly has some specific purpose, such as those mentioned below.

• Following the Sunnah from the Prophet Muhammad
• Following the Islamic culture
• The expression of gratefulness to the god
• The expression of sharing happiness among the family to the relatives, and the neighbors

The Aqiqah’s requirement

Both in Islamic cultures and traditions in Java, the Aqiqah needs to be fulfilled by some requirements. Baby girls need one goat to be slaughtered, and baby boys need two goats to be slaughtered.

The parents commonly become the responsible ones for slaughtering the goat. Even so, some locals in Java believe that outside the parents, as long as having a family line with the new baby born, they can slaughter the goat for the baby.

Aqiqah tradition in Java step by step

Aqiqah tradition in Java includes some steps that should be fulfilled by most families who held the tradition. Most of them keep hold of the tradition based on Islamic rules, which sometimes mixes with the culture of Javanese.

Here we have some of the Aqiqah traditions in Java step by step that commonly happens.

1. The day of the Aqiqah

The day of the Aqiqah based on the Javanese culture, commonly happens is the day of seven after the baby is born. Even so, some cultures also allowed the family not to hold the Aqiqah on the day of seven.

The family can hold the Aqiqah on the day of the 14th or 21st. It depends on the readiness of the family to hold the Aqiqah tradition. Moreover, it needs some budget which sometimes can be hard to achieve for some people.

2. The animal

The animal that should be slaughtered has to be a goat or sheep. Following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, those goats or sheep need to be healthy. The goat or the sheep also has not to be less than one and a half years of age.

The animal that will be slaughtered needs to have the same requirement as the Qurban’s animals for Eid Al Adha. Changing the types of animals still becomes a debate among the expert. That is because the Quran never mentioned it.

3. Sharing the lambs

After slaughtering the goat or sheep, the family should be sharing the lambs with others. It can start with relatives, neighbors, friends, colleagues, the needy, or orphans.

Sharing the lambs of Aqiqah is a must. It brings the value of the Javanese tradition to spreading happiness after having a new baby born. It also means extending gratefulness to god as well.

4. Announce the baby’s name

Aqiqah in tradition in Java is also held by announcing the baby’s name. Commonly the family will hold a Kenduri ceremony, and the expert that leads the prayer will announce the name.

The family also can announce their baby’s name within the Aqiqah package. Inside the package that is shared with others can be the most effective way to spreads the baby’s name.

5. Shaved hair

Shaving the baby’s hair for the first time is commonly held within the Aqiqah tradition in Java. Locals believe as they shave the baby’s hair it will bring good luck ahead. Not only for the baby but also for the parents as well.

Most Javanese believe the new baby born is ready to face the world after having their first shaved hair. The hair that grew during their growth during pregnancy in their mother’s womb needs to be shaved for good luck.

6. Supplication

There is a specific supplication that needs to be filled during the Aqiqah in Java. The supplication commonly hopes for the growth of the baby in a good way. The expert or the chief commonly leads the supplication.

So far, the Aqiqah tradition in Java follows the Islamic culture already mentioned in the Quran. The Javanese culture brings sacred value to the family that sharing their happiness during this tradition.