Thursday, July 18, 2019

'Aqiqah': On Islamic Birth Rites

In September 2016, a Muslim brother from India sought spiritual guidance from Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius on Islamic rites pertaining to the birth of a new born, and Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) provided a brief explanation of the main Sunnah/ Islamic practices following birth of a child, whether male or female. 

Reproduced below is the response provided by Hadhrat Saheb (atba) to the question on the occasion:

Birth & Purification (Bath)

After his/ her birth the baby should be given a proper bath, cleansed well.

Adhaan & Iqamah

Then he/she should be given the Adhaan in the right ear and the Iqamah in the left ear.

Tahneek

It is narrated about the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that when a child was born and brought to him soon afterward, he would moisten a small piece of a date with his mouth and then place it on the palate of the newborn.  (Bukhari, Muslim and others). – Therefore, in Islam it is recommended to follow that practice also. Sometimes if available, dates and also honey.

Naming the Child

The naming of the child can be done right away, or one can wait till the seventh day, before the Aqiqah is done.

It is reported that Hazrat Aisha (ra) said: the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) did ‘Aqiqah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn on the seventh day, and gave them their names.

Circumcision

Circumcision is an emphasized, obligatory sunnah for boys, as it is amongst the signs of Islam and an act of natural disposition (fitra)This can be done on the first week, as it may be easier on the child to do so earlier, or at a later time in his childhood. But I recommend (the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam) to do it very early on so that the child does not suffer that much, because later on, this can prove to be very hurtful for him (only for boys).

Shaving the Head

Shaving the head, for boys or girls is to be done within seven days. The shaved hair is then weighed and its weight in silver or gold (or money) is given away in charity (Sadqua), while the hair is then buried.

Aqiqah

It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) commanded them to sacrifice two similar sheep for a boy and one for a girl. (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah)

It is narrated from Umm Karaz that she asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) about ‘Aqiqah and he said: “For a boy two sheep and for a girl one, and it does not matter whether they are male or female.” (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Maajah).  

It is reported from Salman ibn ‘Aamir (ra) that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “For the boy there should be an ‘Aqiqah. Slaughter (an animal) for him and remove the harmful thing [i.e., the foreskin] from him.” (Tirmidhi, An-Nasai, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah)


It was reported that Samurah ibn Jundub (ra) said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “A boy is ransomed by his ‘Aqiqah. Sacrifice should be made for him on the seventh day, he should be given a name and his head should be shaved.” (Tirmidhi, An-Nasai, Abu Dawood).

The ‘Aqiqah is when an animal is ritually sacrificed as a Sadqua on behalf of the newborn so that Allah may keep him or her under His protection against all harms. And it is also gratitude rendered to Allah for the gift of the newborn. – The meat is to be distributed in part to the poor and to the near kin (family members) and another for personal use in one’s own house. Or the meat may be cooked and use in dinner and the poor as well as the family members and one’s own household partake of it together (as a lunch or dinner)...'

To read this in Malayalam, click here