𝐄𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦

 

1) AQEEQAH

This is to sacrifice two sheep for the male child and one for the female. Doing ‘Aqeeqah for the newborn is a *Sunnah Mu’akkadah*, according to the stronger scholarly opinion.

That means it’s something “recommended” and not something obligatory.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There should be ‘aqeeqah, so shed blood on his behalf and remove the harm” (al-Bukhaari, no. 5049)

 

2) SHAVING HEAD OF BABY

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-saheeh by al-Albaani)

Scholars like Shaikh al-Albaani say the head of the baby girl should also be shaved

Shaikh Al-Albaani was asked whether the hair of the newborn girl should be shaved?

He said: “[Yes], like the boy”

Generally speaking, the majority of the ulama said that the baby girl is included in the recommendation to shave the head.

Imam San’aani said: “His sallahu alayhi wa salam statement in the Hadeeth of Samurah [Shave his head] is evidence of the legislation of shaving the head of the newborn on the seventh day. What is apparent is it is general for shaving the hair of the young boy and girl”.

 

3) GIVING SADAQAH EQUAL TO WEIGHT OF HAIR IN GOLD OR SILVER

Ali radhi Allaahu anhu said: “The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ offered a sheep as ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan, and said: ‘O Faatimah, shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver in charity’” (at-Tirmidhi -hasan by al-Albaani)

 

4) NAMING THE NEWBORN:

It’s recommended to name the child on the seventh day when he should also have his Aqeeqah done and his head shaved.

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.” (al-Tirmidhi, 1522; Abu Dawood, 3838; saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1165)

But if the child is named earlier or later than that, then that’s also permissible.

Someone asked Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad: “The one who slaughters the animal for the Aqeeqah before the seventh day, does it count for him?”

The Shaikh said: ” 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)

A child should be given a *good name* from the names of Muslims – the best of names are those that include “Abd” and added to one of the Names of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala

For example: The best names are:

Abdullaah or Abdur Rahmaan for baby boys.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved of names to Allaah are ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan.” [Saheeh Muslim 1398)]

Or we can use the word “Abd” with other Names of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala for a boy.

Other good names include the names of Prophets, the Sahaabah and other righteous people.

Besides these, ANY good Islaamic names that have good meanings may be given.

5) TAHNEEK

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would perform Tahneek for the newborn baby.

Abu Moosa radhi Allaahu anhu said: “I had a baby boy, and I brought him to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. He named him Ibraaheem, did Tahneek with some dates and prayed for Allaah to bless him, then he gave him back to me.” (al-Bukhaari, 5150; Muslim, 2145)

And Aaishah radhi Allaahu anhaa narrates that “The people used to bring their newborn children to the Prophet and he would bless them and perform the tahneek.” (Muslim 560)

 

6) GIVING ADHAAN IN THE NEWBORN BABY’S EAR

There’s a difference of opinion among the ulama about calling adhaan in the newborn’s ear.

Some ulama say it’s Sunnah to do so (recommended and not obligatory), depending upon whether they consider the hadeeth that reports it, authentic or not.

But other ulama like Shaikh al-Albaani considered it a weak hadeeth and so he did not recommend giving adhaan in the ear of the newborn.

If you don’t give adhaan in the newborn’s ear, or if you do, in either case it’s always good to make general duaa and ask Allah to guide the baby and make him righteous.

 

7) CIRCUMCISION IS FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS ( MANDATORY for BOYS)

It is part of the fitrah and Sunnah to circumcise children (both boys and girls) and even Ibraheem Alaiyhis-Salaam and his wife Hajarah, mother of Ismail, Alahis-Salaam were circumcised. It is best to circumcise girls early, but boys should be circumcised later in life between 3-7 years of age. To circumcise boys in infancy must be avoided as it is the practice of the Jews.

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: “Five things are part of the fitrah (natural disposition of humans): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustache, cutting the nails and plucking the armpit hair.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

The term Fitrah refers to the inherent and natural qualities and ways of a human-being. The laws of the Shariah are equally applicable to men and women except where there is clear proof stating that women are exempted. The acts of Fitrah mentioned in the Hadith are general and relates to both male and female. Furthermore, there is no evidence indicating that circumcision is restricted to males only.

In fact, female circumcision was the norm and custom of Muslim women and was also endorsed by the Prophet ﷺ.

Consider the following Ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ;

“When the circumcised part meets the circumcised part then Ghusl is required” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)

“When a man sits amidst the four parts (arms and legs of his wife) and the circumcised parts touch each other a bath becomes obligatory” (Sahih Muslim)

It is narrated in numerous books of Ahadith that a Sahabiyah by the name of Umm Atiyyah (r.a) used to circumcise females at the time of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ told Umm Atiyya (r.a) “Oh Umm Atiyya! Circumcise (remove the prepuce of the clitoris), but don’t cut deeply (don’t harm the clitoris), for that will be brighter for the face (i.e. satisfying for her) and more pleasing to the husband” (Abu Dawud, Tabarani, Baihaqi)

In another Hadith the Prophet ﷺ advises the women of the Ansaar in general regarding circumcision: “Oh women of the Ansaar! Apply henna and circumcise! but do not exaggerate (i.e.remove the foreskin around the clitoris, but don’t harm the clitoris) for it is more pleasing for your women folks when they are with their husbands” (Mukhtassar zawaid musnad al bazzar, Ibn Hajar)

The aforementioned Ahaadith and others clearly indicate that, not only was circumcision prominent amongst Muslim women but its action was also affirmed and endorsed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

There is more. Imam Bukhari is best known for the compilation of the book Saheeh Al Bukhari. But did you know he compiled another book on Good Manners. It was called Adab Al Mufrad. In this great work, Imam Bukhari records two very important incidents in the days of the Sahabah which proves the blessed companions of our beloved Prophet (Sal) regarded circumcision as necessary for women.

Umm Al Muhajir says: “I was captured with some girls from Byzantium. (Caliph) Uthman offered us Islam, but only myself and one other girl accepted Islam. Uthman said: ‘Go and circumcise them and purify them”

Umm Alqamah says that when the nieces of Ayisha’s brother were circumcised, ‘A’isha was asked: “Shall we call someone to amuse them?” “Yes” she replied.

And Allah knows best