Does the 'aqiqah remain obligatory upon the father for his four children (two sons and two daughters) if it was not performed for them at birth, and is one 'aqiqah sufficient for all of them?

The Aqiqah is a confirmed Sunnah according to the majority of scholars, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Whoever has a child born to him, and wishes to sacrifice for him, let him do so."

It is recommended that the Aqiqah be slaughtered on the seventh day of the child's birth, or if not, then on the fourteenth or twenty-first day.

There is a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of "Every child is held in pledge by his Aqiqah." Some say that if the child dies without an Aqiqah having been offered for him, he will not intercede for his parents. Others say that the Aqiqah is obligatory.

If the Aqiqah is slaughtered before the seventh day or after it, it is still valid. The majority view is to slaughter two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl.

If the child reaches puberty and no Aqiqah has been offered for him, the Aqiqah obligation falls away from the father. According to Imam Ahmad, the child should not perform Aqiqah for himself. However, Imam Al-Shafi'i holds that if the child wishes to perform Aqiqah for himself, he may do so.

If the children are still below the age of puberty, the father must perform Aqiqah for each of them (two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl).

As for those who have reached puberty, the Aqiqah obligation has fallen away from the father, and there is no sin upon him.

A single sheep is not sufficient for more than one person.