Can one take one share in a cow for a boy according to the Hanafis?

Yes, absolutely. According to Hanafi fiqh, taking one share in a cow for a boy's aqiqah is completely permissible and sufficient, and by it the recommended act of aqiqah is fully discharged.

In this regard, the following aspects are worth mentioning in light of the principles and fatwas of the Hanafis:

Unlike some other Imams, in Hanafi fiqh no distinction has been made between a boy and a girl in the matter of aqiqah; rather, for both the basic level laid down is one animal each (or one share each in a cow). Therefore, according to the Hanafi school of thought, taking one share for a boy is permissible without any dislike.

According to the rule of Shariah, one share of a cow or a camel stands in place of one complete small animal (a goat or a sheep). Since, according to the Hanafi jurists, aqiqah is accomplished by slaughtering one goat on behalf of a boy, for this reason one share of a cow is also sufficient like one goat.

If a person has financial ease and he takes two shares in a cow for a boy, then according to the Hanafis too this is more preferable and better, so that the other hadiths (in which two are mentioned for a boy) are also acted upon. That is, the hadith: "Two goats (similar to each other) on behalf of a boy, and one goat on behalf of a girl" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1513, Imam al-Tirmidhi declared it hasan sahih; Sunan Abi Dawud: 2842). But if someone takes only one share due to financial constraint or any other reason, then the aqiqah will be considered completely valid in Shariah and there will be no defect or deficiency in it.

Summary: If the questioner's sister takes even one share each in a cow for her sons, then according to Hanafi fiqh their aqiqah will be one hundred percent correct and discharged.

Translated from the original Urdu fatwa.