Islam has specific traditions with regard to welcoming a new life into this world. These traditions reflect the values of Muslim society and help Muslims bond with each other. The birth of a new baby is not only a joyful moment for the community but also a time for them to reflect on the blessings of Allah.
This blog will explore the traditions and customs surrounding the birth of a new baby and what the Prophet PBUH has said about all these practices.
Preparing For The Birth
According to Shariah (Islamic Law), there is no specific tradition that parents should follow before giving birth. However, they can recite general duas to ensure the baby’s safety and health and ensure that the baby always remains on the right path.
After The Baby Is Born
The Adhan
When a baby is born and brought to the family, many words are said, but the words that really penetrate the newborn’s ears are the words of the Adhan and the Iqamah. This tradition has been followed since the time of the Prophet PBUH and is a sunnah proven by numerous hadiths.
AbuRafi’ said, “I witnessed the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) reciting the call to prayer (Adhan) into the ear of al-Hasan ibn Ali when Fatimah RA birthed him.”
“Ubaidullah bin Abi Rafi’ reported that his father said he saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) reciting the Adhan, the call to prayer, into the ear of Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali immediately after he was born to Fatimah.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1514]
The Adhan, that is to be recited in the right ear of the baby, is:
ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَاةِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَاةِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ
Transliteration:
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, ašhadu al lā ilāha illā -llāh, ašhadu al lā ilāha illā -llāh, ašhadu anna Muḥammadar rasūlu -llāhi, ašhadu anna Muḥammadar rasūlu -llāhi, ḥayya alā ṣ-ṣalāh, ḥayya alā ṣ-ṣalāh, ḥayya alā l-falāḥ, ḥayya alā l-falāḥ, Allāhu akbaru, Allāhu akbaru, lā ilāha illā -llāh.
Translation:
God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, I testify There is no deity but God, I testify There is no deity but God, I testify Muhammad is the Messenger of God, I testify Muhammad is the Messenger of God, Hasten to the prayer (Salah), Hasten to the prayer (Salah), Hasten to the salvation, Hasten to the salvation, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, There is no deity but God.
The Iqamah
The Iqamah, which is to be recited in the left ear of the baby, is:
ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَاةِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَاةِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ قد قامت الصلاة قد قامت الصلاة ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ
Transliteration:
Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar, ašhadu al lā ilāha illā -llāh, ašhadu al lā ilāha illā -llāh, ašhadu anna Muḥammadar rasūlu -llāhi, ašhadu anna Muḥammadar rasūlu -llāhi, ḥayya alā ṣ-ṣalāh, ḥayya alā ṣ-ṣalāh, ḥayya alā l-falāḥ, ḥayya alā l-falāḥ,Qad qāmatiṣ-ṣalāh, Qad qāmatiṣ-ṣalāh Allāhu akbaru, Allāhu akbaru, lā ilāha illā -llāh.
Translation:
God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, I testify There is no deity but God, I testify There is no deity but God, I testify Muhammad is the Messenger of God, I testify Muhammad is the Messenger of God, Hasten to the prayer (Salah), Hasten to the prayer (Salah), Hasten to the salvation, Hasten to the salvation, The prayer has been established, The prayer has been established, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, There is no deity but God.
The Reason For The Adhan & Iqamah
The Adhan and Iqamah are the first things to be recited in a child’s ears because they both contain the words of tawhid (oneness), which will have a blessed effect on a child. Hearing the blessed words moments after arriving in this world is an early introduction to the faith and its core values.