Is it permissible for a Christian to slaughter an 'aqiqah for the son of his Muslim neighbor?

The 'Aqiqah of a Christian for a Muslim can take two forms:

1. When a Christian donates the value of the 'Aqiqah or a live ram to a Muslim: This gift is permissible. If the Muslim slaughters the ram as an 'Aqiqah, then the 'Aqiqah originates from the Muslim himself, not from the Christian.

2. When a Christian slaughters the ram as an 'Aqiqah for a Muslim: The 'Aqiqah is a financial act of worship in which agency (delegation) is permissible. The jurists have agreed on the permissibility of delegating a Muslim to slaughter, but they differed on delegating a Kitabi (a person of the Book, i.e., Christian or Jew): The majority: They consider the delegation to a Kitabi valid, though disliked, because the slaughter of a Kitabi is permissible. The Malikis and a narrated opinion from Ahmad: They do not permit delegating a Kitabi because the 'Aqiqah is a ritual (nusuk) and an act of closeness (qurbah) that is not valid when performed by a non-Muslim.

The more preponderant opinion is the permissibility of delegating a Kitabi for the slaughter. However, it is preferable for a Muslim to slaughter his sacrifice himself, as it is an act of closeness to God.