Welcoming your baby: the beautiful Sunnah habits (name, dates, hair, Aqiqa)

A baby’s arrival is a moment of grace. Islam surrounds it with simple, gentle and meaningful gestures that parents can perform calmly. Here are the main ones, in order.

1The first words: the call to prayer

Many families whisper the adhan into the newborn’s right ear so that the first words the baby hears are the name of Allah. This gesture is practised by many Muslims and appreciated by a number of scholars.

2Tahnik: the first date

The Prophet ﷺ performed tahnik on newborns: a date is chewed, then gently rubbed on the baby’s palate while making supplication for them. It is preferable that a pious person does it. Always ask your midwife or paediatrician before giving anything by mouth to a newborn.

3Choosing a beautiful name

The name is the first gift you give your child. Choose a name with a beautiful meaning that is easy to carry, such as those of the prophets or the servants of Allah. It can be given at birth or on the seventh day.

4The seventh day: hair and charity

On the seventh day the baby’s head is usually shaved, and many scholars recommend giving the weight of the hair in silver as charity. It is a beautiful act of sharing from the very first days of life.

5Aqiqa: the family’s thank you

On the seventh day, too, the Aqiqa is offered: one sheep for a girl, two for a boy. If that day does not suit you, it can be done on the 14th or 21st day, or later. With TreeDon you book online and the meat is distributed to families in need.

6Supplications for your baby

Beyond the gestures, do not forget supplication. Ask Allah to protect your child, guide them and make them a source of joy for you. The prayers of a mother and a father are precious.

“Every newborn is held in pledge for his Aqiqa, sacrificed for him on the seventh day, and he is named and his head is shaved.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i)