Would it be permissible to sacrifice two sheep with the intention of an `aqiqah (upon the birth of a child) and a wedding banquet (walimat un-nikah) if the father didn't hold one for his wedding due to special circumstances?

The majority of scholars are of the opinion that the wedding banquet (walimah) is a confirmed Sunnah and it was legislated for the purpose of strengthening the ties between Allah's slaves (the Muslims). The scholars have, however, differed over the timing of the banquet: Should it be at the signing of the contract, immediately after, on the wedding night, or right after it or any time between the signing of the contract and the consummation of the wedding night? Imam al-Nawawi said, "They differed, al-Qadi `Iyad saying that the most correct opinion according to the Malikis is that it is preferred (mustahabb) to be after the wedding night. Al-Subuki said, 'What is transmitted of the action of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is that it be after the wedding night.'"

Therefore, whoever does not hold a wedding banquet for any reason and wants to make up this Sunnah practice at any time, there would be no blame on him, insha'Allah (God willing).

The opinions of the scholars on the subject of the `aqiqah (the sacrifice in gratitude for the birth of a child) vary between obligatory (wajib) and recommended (mustahabb). As such, there would be nothing wrong with slaughtering two sheep, one for the `aqiqah and the other as a walimah.