WHEN A BABY IS BORN

NAMING THE CHILD, AQEEQAH AND OTHER

IMPORTANT ASPECTS WHEN A CHILD IS BORN

Prepared by: Moulana Yusuf Laher

Contents
WHEN THE BABY IS BORN ............................................... 2
ADHAAN, IQAAMAH AND MERITORIOUS DU’AAS .... 2
TAHNEEK .............................................................................. 4
CUTTING THE HAIR ........................................................... 4
AQEEQAH ............................................................................. 5
WISDOM OF TWO SHEEP FOR A BOY AND ONE FOR A
GIRL ....................................................................................... 5
AQEEQAH IS NOT COMPULSORY ................................... 7
BENEFITS OF AQEEQAH ................................................... 7
TIME FOR AQEEQAH .......................................................... 8
ERRONEOUS BELIEF .......................................................... 8
NAMING THE BABY ........................................................... 8
CIRCUMCISION FOR BOYS ............................................... 9
FOR PROTECTION OF THE CHILD ................................. 10
AN EFFECTIVE DUA FOR NAZAR (EVIL EYE) ............ 10
AN EFFECTIVE VERSE AGAINST NAZAR .................... 12
CLOTHING OF THE CHILD .............................................. 12
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT TO CHILDREN AS A
DISCIPLINARY MEASURE ............................................... 13

1
 ‫الر ِح ْيم‬
َّ ‫ح ِن‬ َّ ِ‫بِ ْس ِم اهلل‬
‫الر ْ م‬
ِ ِِ ِ
ْ ‫ـح ْمدُ ِهللِ َو َك مفى َو َس ََل ٌم َع مل ع ََدِِ ا َّلِ ْْ َن‬
‫اْ ََ م‬
، ‫فى‬ َ ‫َا ْل‬

WHEN THE BABY IS BORN

The child should be made ritually clean by bathing it.

ADHAAN, IQAAMAH AND MERITORIOUS DU’AAS

Adhaan should be given in the right ear of the baby and the
Iqaamah in the left ear as soon as possible after the child is born
(after bathing it).
This must be done in an audible voice but not so loud that it
startles the baby.

It is Mustahabb to recite the following Du’aa after the Adhaan

and Iqaamah for a boy:

‫الر ِج ْيم‬ ِ َّ ‫َالل ُه َّم اِن ِّْى ُا ِع ْي ُِ ُِ بِ َك َو ُذ ِّر َْ َت ُه ِم َن‬

َّ ‫الش ْي ََدن‬

O ALLAH I SEEK YOUR PROTECTION FOR HIM AND HIS

DESCENDENTS FROM THE ACCURSED SHAYTAAN

For a girl:
‫الر ِج ْيم‬ ِ َّ ‫له َّم اِن ِّْى ُا ِع ْي ُِ َهد بِ َك َو ُذ ِّر َْت ََهد ِم َن‬
َّ ‫الش ْي ََدن‬ ُ ‫َال‬

2
O ALLAH I SEEK YOUR PROTECTION FOR HER AND HER
DESCENDENTS FROM THE ACCURSED SHAYTAAN

Then recite Surah Ikhlaas.

Then read for a boy:

ِ ْ ‫َاللهم اجع ْله برا َن ِقيد و َا ْنَِ ْته ِف‬
‫اْ ْس ََل ِم َن ََدتد َح َسند‬ ُ َ َ ُ َ ْ َّ ُ
O ALLAH, MAKE HIM PIOUS AND GOD-FEARING AND
MAKE HIM GROW UP IN ISLAM WITH AN EXCELLENT
GROWTH

For a girl:
ِ ْ ‫َاللهم اجع ْلهد برا ن َِقية و َانَِْتْهد ِف‬
‫اْ ْس ََل ِم َن ََدتد َح َسند‬ َ َ َّ َ َ َ ْ َّ ُ
O ALLAH, MAKE HER PIOUS AND GOD-FEARING AND
MAKE HER GROW UP IN ISLAM WITH AN EXCELLENT
GROWTH

Then for a boy:

ِ ‫َاللهم َع ِّلمه ا ْل ِك َتدب و ا ْل‬
‫ـح ْك َم َة َو َف ِّق ْه ُه ِف الدِّ ْْ ِن‬ َ َ ُ ْ َّ ُ
O ALLAH, TEACH HIM THE QUR’AAN AND WISDOM AND
GIVE HIM UNDERSTANDING IN DEEN

For a girl:
ِ ‫َاللهم َع ِّلمهد ا ْلكِتَدب و ا ْل‬
‫ـحك َْم َة َو َف ِّق ْه َهد ِف الدِّ ْْ ِن‬ َ َ َ ْ َّ ُ

3
O ALLAH, TEACH HER THE QUR’AAN AND WISDOM AND
GIVE HER UNDERSTANDING IN DEEN

TAHNEEK

Another Sunnah is Tahneek. Tahneek means to chew on a date

and place some of it in the mouth of the baby. If dates are not
available, then anything sweet can be used. Even honey can be
used. It is preferred that a pious person does this Tahneek for the
baby.

CUTTING THE HAIR

On the seventh day, all the hair on the head of the child should
be shaved off, whether the baby is a boy or girl.

A narration mentions that when Sayyidina Hasan Radhiyallaahu

Anhu was born to Hadhrat Fatima Radhiyallaahu Anhaa,
Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam told her to shave the
head and distribute the equivalent to the weight of the hair to the
value of silver or gold.
The same was done when Sayyidina Husayn Radhiyallaahu
Anhu was born. (Al Mu'jamul Kabeer – Tabraani V1 P311)

It is also Sunnah to give charity of silver or gold equivalent in

weight to the hair of the baby. Some money can be distributed to
the needy to fulfil this Sunnah.

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AQEEQAH

This is a sacrifice of an animal on the seventh day after the birth

of a child.

Aqeeqah should be done and an appropriate name should be

chosen. It will not suffice to trim or cut a portion of the hair. The
entire head must be shaved. If the entire head is not shaved, the
Sunnah will not be fulfilled.

Aqeeqah will be done from the wealth of the parent or guardian

and not from the wealth of the child.

One goat or sheep is sacrificed as Aqeeqah for a girl and two for
a boy. If a person cannot afford two for a boy then one will
suffice.

WISDOM OF TWO SHEEP FOR A BOY AND ONE FOR A

GIRL

Why is one sheep sacrificed as Aqeeqah for a girl and two for a
boy?

The actual and true wisdom of actions in Islam is best known by

Allah Ta'aala and His Rasool Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam and
we can never fully comprehend them. Our duty is to accept and
fulfil. Nevertheless, some Ulama have endeavoured to explain
the wisdom of certain actions.

5
The ruling regarding Aqeeqah is as follows:
Although it is preferable to slaughter two animals for a boy, it is
permissible to slaughter only one. Some narrations mention that
Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam sacrificed one sheep
each on the respective births of Sayyidina Hasan and Sayyidina
Husayn Radhiyallaahu Anhumaa. (Abu Dawood V3 P66).

According to the Hanafi Madhab, Aqeeqah is meritorious and

according to the Shaafi'ee Madhab it is Sunnah. If one is not by
the means and could not fulfil the Aqeeqah, no sin will be
incurred.

Regarding the wisdom of two for a boy and one for a girl,
Hadhrat Thanwi Rahmatullaahi Alayh has written:
Usually people become consider a boy to be more beneficial for
the household, thus two will be slaughtered. (Al Masaalihul
Aqliyyah P173).

Hadhrat ibnul Qayyim Rahmatullaahi Alayh writes:

The boy has some added virtues over a girl and because the
parents are more pleased at the birth of a male child, more Shukr
is required from them, thus the slaughtering of two animals for a
boy. The greater the Ni'mat bestowed, the greater Shukr
required. (I'ilaamul Muqi'een V2 P169, Haashiyatur Raudh V4
P244).

Generally a boy is considered to be a greater asset to the family.

He will assist in earning, protecting the family and assets, even
physically, run the family business, etc. The girl will marry and

6
depart from her family home to the home of her husband and
become an integral part of that family.

Remember that these 'wisdoms' are what has come to the minds
of certain Ulama, the true wisdom lies in the Knowledge of
Allah. His Knowledge is complete and perfect.
Allah Ta'aala knows best.

AQEEQAH IS NOT COMPULSORY

Aqeeqah is a meritorious act but not compulsory. Usually two

sheep (or two portions in a cow) for a boy and one sheep (or one
portion in a cow) for a girl is slaughtered. One sheep for a boy
also suffices.

If they cannot afford Aqeeqah at all then it can be delayed or left

out. If the Aqeeqah is not done, no sin will be incurred.

BENEFITS OF AQEEQAH

The benefit of Aqeeqah is that it is thanksgiving unto Allah for

the child and it is also a means of protecting the child from evil.
Remember that Aqeeqah is not compulsory. If one is by the
means, it can be done, otherwise omitted. It is best to do it on
the seventh day after birth. If not then before the child reaches
the age of maturity. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyah V17 P509/510).

7
TIME FOR AQEEQAH

If the child was born on a Wednesday for example, Aqeeqah

will be done on a Tuesday thereafter. (Beheshti Zewar)
If after Maghrib was Wednesday according to the Islamic day,
Aqeeqah will be done on a Tuesday. Thereafter every Tuesday.

ERRONEOUS BELIEF

Some people believe that it is not permissible to break/cut the

bones of the Aqeeqah animal. This belief is incorrect. It is
Mustahabb (preferable) not to break the bones. (Sunanul Kubraa
V9 P302).
No sin will be incurred if the bones of the Aqeeqah animal are
broken. (Al Haamidiyyah V6 P368). (Fataawa Mahmoodiyah
V17 P526).

Regarding the animal, the same conditions apply which are

applicable to the animal for Udhiyyah.

NAMING THE BABY

Choose a name with a good meaning.

The Hadeeth mentions that the most beloved names unto Allah
Ta'aala are Abdullah and Abdur Rahmaan (Tirmidhi).

Other good names to choose from are the names of the Ambiyaa
Alayhimus Salaam and from the names of the Sahaabah Kiraam
Radhiyallaahu Anhum, or go for names that have active

8
meanings such as: Thaakir, Shaakir, Saajid, etc. The meaning
will have an effect on the child Inshaa Allah.

Sayyidina Abu Umaamah Radhiyallaahu Anhu narrates the

following Hadeeth:
Whoever gives birth to a male child and names him Mohammed
because of love for me (Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa
Sallam) and to derive Barakah from my name, he (the father)
and his child will be in Jannah (Kanzul Ummaal V16 P422).

Usually the father names the child so therefore he is mentioned

in this Hadeeth. If the mother was instrumental in naming the
child Mohammed, with the same benefits in mind mentioned in
the Hadeeth, she will accrue the same benefit too.

For girls, from the names of the wives of the Ambiyaa, the
Sahaabiyaat, or names that have active meanings such as
Saajidah, Shaakirah, Aabidah, Thaakirah, Taahirah, Siddeeqah,
Saadiqah, Haamidah, Khaashi’ah, Saalihah, Laaiqah, and so
forth.
Ensure two things when naming: the meaning of the name and
the correct spelling.

CIRCUMCISION FOR BOYS

Circumcision (Khatnah) is necessary for boys. This too can be

done on the seventh day. The health of the child must be taken
into consideration before doing the circumcision. If there is a
need to delay then it should be done by the time the child

9
reaches seven years of age. Health permitting it is best not to
delay it and to get it done as soon as possible from the seventh
day onwards.

FOR PROTECTION OF THE CHILD

To protect the child from spiritual and physical ills and for
protection from Shaytaan, recite the following Du’aa often and
blow on the child:

ِ ِ ِ ِ
ِّ َ ‫َا ُع ْو ُذ بِ َكل َمـدت اهللِ ال َّتد َّمة م ْن‬
‫ش ُك ِّل َش ْي ََدن َو َهد َّمة َو ُك ِّل َع ْي َّْ َّمة‬
I SEEK PROTECTION BY THE PERFECT WORDS OF ALLAH
FROM THE EVIL OF EVERY DEVIL AND REPTILE, AND
FROM THE EVIL OF EVERY REVENGEFUL EYE

Aayatul Kursi and the four Quls should also b e recited and
blown on the child occasionally.

AN EFFECTIVE DUA FOR NAZAR (EVIL EYE)

The following Du'aa was taught by Jibreel Alayhis Salaam to

Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam for protection against
Nazar. The Messenger of Allah Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam
instructed the Sahaabah to read this Du'aa and blow on
themselves, their women, and their children, and said that
nothing like it has ever been used as a Ta’weez. (Tafseer Ibni
Katheer)

10
 ‫ َو ِ َِّل‬،‫ َذا ا ْل َو ْج ِه ْالك َْرْـْ ِم‬،‫ َذا ا ْلـ َم ِّن ا ْل َق ِدْـْم‬،‫دن ا ْل َع ِظ ْيم‬
ِ ََ ‫َاللهم َذا الس ْل‬
ُّ َّ ُ
ِ ‫ َعدفِنِ ْي ِم ْن َا ْن ُف‬،‫دت‬
‫س‬ ِ ‫ات ا ْلـمستَجدب‬
َ َ ْ ُ
ِ ‫ والدَّ َعو‬،‫دت‬
َ َ
ِ ‫دت التَّدم‬
َّ
ِ ‫ا ْلكَلِمـ‬
َ
ِ ‫ي ْا ِْن‬
‫ْس‬ ِ ُ ‫ َو َا ْع‬،‫ا ْلـ ِج ِّن‬

O ALLAH! POSSESSOR OF MAJESTIC KINGDOM; OF

ANCIENT BOUNTIES; OF NOBLE COUNTENANCE;
MASTER OF THE PERFECT WORDS AND ACCEPTED
DU’AAS; PROTECT ME FROM THE SPIRITS OF JINN AND
THE GAZE OF MANKIND.

Another Du'aa for Nazar that appears in the Hadeeth is:

‫ش ك ُِّل َن ْفس َأ ْو َع ْي‬ ِ َ ‫ ِمن ك ُّل ََشء ْ ْؤ ِذ‬، ‫يك‬

َ ‫بِ ْس ِم اهللِ َأ ْر ِق‬
ِّ َ ‫ م ْن‬، ‫ْك‬ ُ ْ ْ

َ ‫دسد َاهللُ َْ ْش ِف‬

‫يك‬ ِ ‫ح‬
َ
I INVOKE UPON YOU, IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, HIS
PROTECTION FROM EVERYTHING THAT HARMS, AND
FROM THE EVIL OF EVERY SPIRIT AND JEALOUS EYE;
ALLAH GRANT YOU CURE.

11
AN EFFECTIVE VERSE AGAINST NAZAR

ِّ ‫در ِه ْم َلـمـَّد َس ِم ُعوا‬

‫الِك َْر‬ ِ ‫َوإِ ْن َْكَد ُِ ا َّل ِِْ َن َك َف ُروا َل ُي ْزل ِ ُقون ََك بِ َأ ْب َص‬

ٌ ‫ون إِ َّن ُه َلـ َم ْجن‬

‫ُون‬ َ ‫َو َْ ُقو ُل‬
AND THE DISBELIEVERS ARE VERY CLOSE TO
CASTING EVIL ON YOU THROUGH THEIR EYES (IF IT
WAS NOT FOR ALLAH’S PROTECTION) WHEN THEY
LISTEN TO THE QUR'AAN. THE ALSO SAY THAT HE
(THE MESSENGER IS INSANE)
(Surah Qalam, verse 51)

CLOTHING OF THE CHILD

Muslim males are forbidden from wearing clothes of females

and vice versa. Similarly, males are forbidden from wearing silk
and bright red coloured clothes, etc. Also forbidden for males
and females are clothes with pictures of animate objects. If a
parent dresses a child with forbidden clothes, the sin will be on
the parent.
Avoid purchasing toys with faces. There are many other toys
that will be permissible to purchase for the child.

12
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT TO CHILDREN AS A
DISCIPLINARY MEASURE

'Tarbiyyah' i.e. proper up-bringing of a child consists of many

facets, one of them is punishment when required. Our Shari'ah
has not ignored this facet but acknowledged it and presented us
with guidance on this important branch of Tarbiyyah.
The Ulama versed in Tarbiyyah have said that physical
punishment is not the only means of Tarbiyyah and not the first
measure to be resorted to.
Before resorting to physical punishment, the
parent/teacher/guardian should observe the following:
a) Dealing with a child is predominantly based on consideration,
kindness and mercy. A Hadeeth teaches us to make kindness and
gentleness compulsory upon ourselves and to avoid harshness
and obscenity. (Al Adabul Mufrad V1 P116)
b) Start with the easiest and lightest method of discipline,
moving to severer methods step by step, if there is a need.
c) Be considerate of the disposition and nature of the errant child
when deciding a punishment. It will be oppressive to punish a
child above his/her fortitude.

THE STAGES OF SEVERITY:

* It is best to first admonish the child verbally with civility and

courteousness and this is learnt from our beloved Nabi
(Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He advised a boy on the
etiquette of eating in the following manner: O boy! Take the

13
name of Allah, eat with the right hand and eat from in front of
you. (Muslim V6 P109)
* Make the child aware of the error with a hint towards the error
committed.
* If the above-mentioned two points do not have the desired
effect, now reproach and reprimand the child.
* Thereafter, if still not successful, cut ties with the child for a
short while, so that the displeasure of the parent can be fully
impressed upon the child.
* The last resort is beating the child. The permissibility of
physical punishment is taken from the Hadeeth wherein
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said that instruct the
children to perform Salaah when they are seven years of age and
beat them regarding their Salaah when they are ten years of age.
(Abu Dawood V1 P185)

Parents/teachers should remember that this beating is also

governed by Shari'ah.

1) The Hadeeth discourages from hitting on the face. (Nisa'i V4

P325). Bruising and wounding must also be avoided. Do not hit
on any delicate part of the body.

2) When a stick, whip, etc. will not be used for neglect in

Salaah, it will not be used for any other misdemeanour. (Raddul
Muhtaar V3 P86). The open hand will be used and not a fist.

3) More than three strikes should not be inflicted. Rasulullah

(Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) advised a teacher: If you inflict

14
more than three strikes, Allah will take revenge from you.
(Raddul Muhtaar V3 P86)

Another important advice: Do not make a decision on the

child or mete out punishment while in anger. Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has discouraged making a
decision while in the state of anger. (Muslim V5 P132). When in
anger, a person gets carried away with emotions, the intelligence
is impaired and the parent later regrets the decision and
punishment. The parent/teacher who punishes without
equilibrium and fairness will be answerable in the court of
Allah.

When sorting out a problem between two children, do not let

one of them feel that the other is being favoured in any way.
Focus your gaze equally on them, let them be seated on the same
level and do not raise your voice on only one of them. These are
lessons derived from a Hadeeth of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Alayhi wa Sallam). (Musnad Abu Ya'laa V10 P264).

Do not embarrass, belittle and ridicule a child in front of others.

Do not expose his fault in front of others. Do not be the cause of
the child suffering from an inferiority complex by telling him
how 'stupid' he is and how intelligent the other children are. Be
his source of encouragement and compliment him when
required. This compliment from you the parent will encourage
the child towards greater heights.

15
May Allah Ta'aala grant Taufeeq to one and all to hold on to
justice and fairness in all walks of life, Aameen.

Jumaadal Ulaa 1439

February 2018

‫الس ِم ْي ُع ال َعلِ ْيم‬ َ ‫َر َّبند َت َق ََّ ْل ِمنَّد اِن ََّك َان‬
َّ ‫ْت‬
ِ
َ ‫َو َْ َّل اهللُ َت َع مدل َع مل ََ ْ ِْ ََ ْلقه ُم‬
‫ـح َّمد‬

‫ـم ِع ْي‬ ِ
َ ‫َو ماله َو َْ ْحَِه َا ْج‬
ِ ‫اح‬
، ‫ـم ْي‬ ِ ‫بِرحـمتِ َك ْآ َارحم الر‬
َّ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ

16