Manners of Welcoming a New Born Baby in Islam
MANNERS OF WELCOMING NEW-BORN CHILD IN ISLAM Islam presents for mankind a complete and comprehensive system of life from the cradle to grave through manners. Manners in Islam are based on the guidance provided by Allah Himself and through the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It covers even the slightest acts, such as entering or exiting a washroom. These are applicable for the whole society especially the elderly, the young, men and women. As manners in Islam present from the cradle, so there are manners of welcoming new-born child in Islam. The three manners of welcoming new-born child in Islam are reciting a Call to Prayer (adhan / iqamah), tahnik, and ‘aqiqah.
The first manner of welcoming new-born child in Islam is reciting a Call to Prayer which is adhan or iqamah. It should be given straight after the birth or very soon afterward to make sure that the first thing the baby hears in this world will be the words of Tawheed. This is similarly as what has been done by the Messenger of Allah as reported by Abi Rafa’, “I saw the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) proclaiming adhan in the ears of Hasan bin ‘Ali when Fatima gave birth to him.” Besides, adhan will give a great and blessed effect on the child as it is the first words heard by the baby. In Addition, adhan also should be recited into the baby’s right ear and the iqamah recited into the baby’s left ear by anyone who is able to say the adhan of the salah such as the father. The benefit of this action is it can shunned the baby from satan disturbance. Ever since before the birth, Satan is planning to contaminate the pure heart of the baby, but when he hears the words which weakens him, he leaves the baby alone. The second manner of welcoming new-born child in Islam is tahnik. Tahnik is rubbing a softened date upon the child palate just after the birth or soon after that. It is usually performs by the baby’s parent, a respected family member or some pious person. Instead of using dates in tahnik, other sweet thing such
The first manner of welcoming new-born child in Islam is reciting a Call to Prayer which is adhan or iqamah. It should be given straight after the birth or very soon afterward to make sure that the first thing the baby hears in this world will be the words of Tawheed. This is similarly as what has been done by the Messenger of Allah as reported by Abi Rafa’, “I saw the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) proclaiming adhan in the ears of Hasan bin ‘Ali when Fatima gave birth to him.” Besides, adhan will give a great and blessed effect on the child as it is the first words heard by the baby. In Addition, adhan also should be recited into the baby’s right ear and the iqamah recited into the baby’s left ear by anyone who is able to say the adhan of the salah such as the father. The benefit of this action is it can shunned the baby from satan disturbance. Ever since before the birth, Satan is planning to contaminate the pure heart of the baby, but when he hears the words which weakens him, he leaves the baby alone. The second manner of welcoming new-born child in Islam is tahnik. Tahnik is rubbing a softened date upon the child palate just after the birth or soon after that. It is usually performs by the baby’s parent, a respected family member or some pious person. Instead of using dates in tahnik, other sweet thing such
References: Fairul. (2011). What is aqiqah. Retrieved September 17, 2012, from http://what-is- aqiqah.blogspot.com/ Manners welcoming a new born child. Retrieved September 18, 2012, from http://islam- truth.co.uk/islamicstore/newborn/ Parenting in the light of Quran and Sunnah. (2009). Retrieved September 17, 2012, from http://raabta-parenting.blogspot.com/ Shad, A. R. (1985). Muslim etiquettes: Etiquettes regarding birth ceremony. Pakistan: Kazi Publications. Zahazan Mohamed (phd). (2011). Persoalan agama: Lima adab, Kaedah sambut kelahiran bayi dalam Islam. Berita Harian Online.