Welcoming a Newborn: Beautiful Sunnah Practices

🌷 *Welcoming a Newborn with Sunnah Practices* 🌷 by Asma bint Shameem Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu, 🌷 *1. Aqeeqah* Aqeeqah means sacrificing two sheep for a baby boy and one for a baby girl. It is a highly recommended Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah), though not obligatory, especially if someone cannot afford it. 🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: "With the boy there should be ‘aqeeqah, so shed blood on his behalf and remove the harm (i.e., circumcision)." (al-Bukhari) 🌷 *2. Shaving the Baby’s Head* 🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: "The boy is in pledge for his ‘Aqeeqah which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he should be named and his head shaved." (at-Tirmidhi) Some scholars mention it’s disliked to shave a baby girl’s head unless needed, but others say it is recommended for both boys and girls. 🍃 Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen mentioned it’s not Sunnah to shave a girl’s head on the seventh day like boys, except if there is a benefit such as thicker hair growth. 🍃 Shaikh Al-Albaani supported shaving the baby girl’s head just like the boy. 🌷 *3. Giving Charity Equivalent to the Hair’s Weight* 🍃 Ali (ra) said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered a sheep as ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan, and said: ‘O Fatimah, shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver in charity.’" (at-Tirmidhi) 🌷 *4. Circumcision for Baby Boys* It is part of fitrah and Sunnah to circumcise baby boys, following the example of the Prophets. 🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: "Five things are part of the fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustache, trimming the nails and plucking the armpit hair." (al-Bukhari, Muslim) 🌷 *5. Naming the Newborn* It is recommended to name the child on the seventh day along with the Aqeeqah and head shaving, but naming earlier or later is also permissible. 🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: "Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah, which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, when he should be named and his head shaved." (at-Tirmidhi) 🔺 *Choosing a Good Name* Names with good meanings are encouraged, especially those including "Abd" plus one of Allah’s Names, like Abdullah or Abdur Rahman. 🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved names to Allah are ‘Abd-Allah and ‘Abd al-Rahman." (Saheeh Muslim) Other good options are names of Prophets, Sahabah, and righteous people. 🌷 *6. Tahneek* The Prophet ﷺ used to perform Tahneek by placing a small piece of softened date in the newborn’s mouth and praying for blessings. 🍃 Abu Musa (ra) said: "I brought my baby to the Prophet ﷺ, he named him Ibrahim, did Tahneek with some dates, prayed for him, then gave him back to me." (al-Bukhari, Muslim) Some scholars consider Tahneek a Sunnah, while others see it as specific to the Prophet ﷺ. 🌷 *7. Giving Adhaan in the Baby’s Ear* There’s a difference of opinion about calling Adhaan in the newborn’s ear. Some scholars recommend it as Sunnah, others consider the evidence weak. Whether you do or not, it’s always good to make du’a asking Allah to guide and bless the child. May Allah bless all newborns and their families. And Allah knows best.