Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad [may Allah preserve him] 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]

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan [may Allah preserve him] was asked:

Question:

May Allah be good to you O possessor of virtue. The questioner says: what is the ruling on advancing the Aqeeqah before the seventh day? Whoever does that, does he oppose the Sunnah?

Answer:

“No, however the best is that it be on the seventh day or the twenty first day. This is better. As for if he performs it on any day after the birth of the newborn, then there is no harm in that. It is counted as an Aqeeqah. Yes”

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan