All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds, and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
There is no harm in buying Aqeeqah (An animal slaughtered for the new born) by installment, borrowing its price from someone else or being bought on your behalf by staff provident fund then sold to you through Murabaha. However, it is preferable to avoid debt but we (Iftaa' Board) pray that Allah helps you(Asker) in that end (Aqeeqah price). Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (May Allah have mercy on his soul) was once asked regarding the person who can't afford Aqeeqah, he said (What means): " I ask Allah to reward the person who couldn't offer Aqeeqah and borrowed its price since he revived a Prophetic Sunnah." [Al-Mughni 11/120].
Moreover, if he couldn't settle his debt or installment, then he is not required to offer Aqeeqah since he can`t afford it for Allah, The Most Exalted, said in this regard (What means):" On no soul doth God Place a burden greater than it can bear. " Nevertheless, if the debt involved usury/interest then it is clearly prohibited. And Allah knows best.
