Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad was asked:

Question:

The one who slaughters the animal for the Aqeeqah before the seventh day, does it count for him?

Answer:

“What is apparent is that it counts for him because slaughtering on the seventh day is not obligatory, but only recommended”.

[Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 334]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan