Sunnahs of Welcoming a Newborn

Are you welcoming a newborn to your family? If so, what could be a better way of embracing and celebrating a new life in this world than by observing Sunnahs?

Our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to follow certain steps when he welcomed a new born into this world, and encouraged others to do the same on such an occasion.

Here are 6 Sunnahs of welcoming a newborn that we should all follow, and gain the satisfaction of following our Holy Prophet’s footsteps:

1- Recite Athan In Baby’s Right Ear – (Abu Dawud: 5105)

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) used to recite Athan in the baby’s right ear so that the first thing the little one hears after being born are the words of Tawheed.

2- Tahnik – (Sahih Muslim: 2145)

The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) also rubbed the newborn’s palate with a date or some other sweet food. 

3- Slaughter Sheep On the Seventh Day After Childbirth – (Tirmidhi: 1516, 1519)

Similarly, it is Sunnah to slaughter two sheep if the newborn is a boy and one sheep if it’s a girl.

4- Shave Baby’s Hair On the Seventh Day – (Abu Dawud: 2843, Tirmidhi: 1522)

Applying saffron on the baby’s head after shaving is a Sunnah very few know about, yet Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) always did this on the seventh day after the baby was born.

5- Give Charity – (Tirmidhi: 1519)

Moreover, our Prophet (P.B.U.H.) gave gold or silver equal in weight to the baby’s hair in charity.

6- Give the Newborn a Meaningful Name – (Tirmidhi: 1522)

Lastly, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) encouraged the believers of Allah (S.W.T.) to give their baby a meaningful name.

Since Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the chosen recipient and last messenger of Allah (S.W.T.), we should strive to follow his example in every walk of life. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala bless our newborns with the best of both worlds. Ameen.