Birth Rituals in Islam: What Every Muslim Should Know

A child is a sacred trust, a beautiful gift from Allah Almighty that brings completeness to married life. After the long, eager wait of ten months, the arrival of a newborn sends waves of joy through a family. However, it is an unfortunate reality that many Muslim parents are unaware of the beautiful birth rituals in Islam that the faith has established for a newborn. Consequently, out of a lack of knowledge, some may even engage in cultural practices that are separate from authentic Muslim birth traditions.

Therefore, this article aims to lovingly present the rights of a newborn from an Islamic perspective, guiding parents on how to welcome their child into the world according to these blessed traditions.

On the First Day: Key Birth Rituals in Islam Immediately After Birth

1. Express Joy and Gratitude to Allah

First and foremost, it is a recommended (Mustahab) act for parents and relatives to express happiness upon the arrival of a newborn. This is a moment to sincerely thank Allah for His immense blessing. The father of the prophets, Ibrahim (peace be upon him), set a beautiful example of this gratitude, as mentioned in the Holy Quran:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي وَهَبَ لِي عَلَى الْكِبَرِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَسَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ (39) رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءَ (40) رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ (41)

“Praise be to Allah, who has granted me in my old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication. My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.”

[Surah Ibrahim (14):39-41]

2. Welcome a Daughter with Happiness

A daughter is just as much of a blessing from Allah as a son. For this reason, being displeased with the birth of a girl echoes the behavior of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. Embracing a daughter with joy is a sign of true faith and a vital part of our Islamic newborn rituals. Allah describes the flawed pre-Islamic attitude in the Quran:

وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِالْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ (58)

“And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.” [Surah An-Nahl (16):58]

3. Recite the Adhan in the Right Ear

It is a Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet ﷺ) to gently recite the Adhan into the newborn’s right ear. This beautiful act ensures the first words the child hears are a declaration of Allah’s greatness and is one of the most profound birth rituals in islam.

Abu Rafi’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say the Adhan for prayer in the ear of Hasan ibn Ali when Fatimah gave birth to him.”

[Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith: 5105]

4. Perform Tahneek and Make Du’a (Supplication)

Tahneek is the recommended practice of placing something sweet, preferably a softened date, into the newborn’s mouth. This symbolic act, a cherished part of the birth rituals in islam, represents a wish for the child to have a “sweet” and blessed life.

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that people would bring newborns to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he would pray for blessings for them and perform Tahneek.

[Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2149]

5. Provide the Mother’s Milk

In His infinite mercy, Allah provides the perfect nourishment for a newborn in their mother’s milk. Breastfeeding is a child’s right and an essential aspect of the muslim birth traditions. In fact, Islam places such importance on this that it provides an exemption from fasting for a nursing mother if she fears harm to her child.

…حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ

“…His mother carried him, [enduring] weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years.”

[Surah Luqman (31):14]

On the Seventh Day: Important Birth Rituals in Islam

6. Choose a Beautiful and Meaningful Name

Choosing a name is a significant responsibility, as it helps shape a child’s identity. The Sunnah teaches us to name the child on the seventh day as part of the birth rituals in islam.

A hadith from the Prophet ﷺ states:

“On the seventh day of the child’s birth, his Aqiqah is performed, his head is shaved, and he is named.”

[Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith: 2838]

A good name is like a lifelong prayer. For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ himself would change names that had poor meanings, showing the importance of this act within the faith.

7. Perform the Aqiqah

The Aqiqah, the sacrifice of an animal on behalf of the newborn, is one of the most significant birth rituals in islam to express gratitude to Allah. It is a highly recommended Sunnah (Sunnah Mu’akkadah).

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Every child is held in pledge for his Aqiqah, which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he should be named, and his head should be shaved.”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith: 4220]

The requirement is two goats (or sheep) for a boy and one for a girl.

8. Shave the Head and Give Charity

Additionally, the Sunnah includes shaving the newborn’s hair on the seventh day. After shaving, the hair is weighed, and an equivalent amount in silver is given as charity. This practice is one of the concluding Islamic newborn rituals for the seventh day.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered a sheep as the Aqiqah for Hasan and said: “O Fatimah, shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver as charity.”

[Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1519]

Conclusion: A Foundation for a Righteous Life

Ultimately, when a new child enters a family, they bring an ocean of joy. As Muslims, our duty goes beyond material care. By fulfilling these beautiful birth rituals in islam, we give our children the best possible start—a foundation built on faith and gratitude. When we neglect these rights, it can, unfortunately, lead to a spiritual disconnect.

Therefore, every parent should strive to welcome their child according to these blessed traditions and constantly make Du’a for them, as Allah teaches us to pray:

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا (74)

“And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.'”

[Surah Al-Furqan (25):74]