Aqiqah

Bismihi ta'ala

If the newborn is male, it is also mustahab for the sheep or goat sacrificed as aqiqah to be male,d if the newborn is female, then the animal be female. 

This is recommended. 

And Allah knows best

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, of course he can. The only thing that is haram for a Seyid to take is 'sadaqah wajibah', like Zakat. 

Other than this, whether it is sadaqah mustahab, or aqiqah, or anything else is permissible and fine to take.

And Allah knows best. 

Bismihi ta'ala

From the viewpoint of our esteemed contemporary jurists, sacrificing an animal on the seventh day of a newborn's birth, which is what we call a 'aqīqah (عقيقة) is mustaḥab. 

Of course, it is highly recommended, and a very important practice anyone blessed with a child should do. It is so much encouraged that even when a person grows old, and they find out their parents did not do it, they can do it themselves. 

So, as it is mustaḥab, everything related to it is either mustaḥab or makrūh. observing the etiquette of 'aqīqah is important, but not obligatory. Usually an Islamic butcher would know all these things as well. Also, it can be a sheep, a cow, or a camel, but most people choose sheep.

Let me mention some things: 

• The 'aqīqah should be done on the seventh day of the new baby's birth.
• The sheep needs to be free of any deformities or imperfections. 
• The sheep should be large and fat. 
• The meat should be cut up, but no bones should be broken. 
• The meat should be distributed to people, raw or cooked. 
• It is makrūh for the immediate family of the newborn to eat from the 'aqīqah meat. 

Something that is very bad and un-Islamic to do is rub the blood of the sheep on the forehead of the baby, or anything like this. There is no basis for this, and such practices must be avoided. 

With the head and the legs, it is not necessary to bury them, and they can be eaten or given away like the other parts. 

And Allah knows best. 

Bismihi ta'ala

Priority should be given to the 'Aqiqah, and if they were to do the 'Aqiqah during the occasion of Eid al-Adhha, in shaa Allah they will receive reward for both.

And Allah knows best.

Bismihi ta'ala

You are able to do an 'aqiqah for yourself. Please just keep in mind that it is best that all the mustahabaat / makruhaat of 'aqiqah are considered.

There are a few options that you can choose to get this done.

1. Contact your local Muslim butcher, and ask if they do 'aqiqah sacrifices.

2. Visit your local Islamic centre and speak to them if they can accept the responsibility of doing the aqiqah on your behalf, after you pay its amount.

3. Contact trustworthy Islamic charity organisations, and ask if they have an animal sacrifice program, where they distribute the meat to the poor and needy.

With prayers for your success.