🌙 Sunnah Practices for a Newborn: A Simple Guide for Muslim Parents

Welcoming a baby is among the greatest blessings from Allāh. The Prophet ﷺ taught us beautiful Sunnah acts to mark a child’s arrival with faith and gratitude. Below are the main practices—concise, authentic, and full of wisdom.

🕋 1. Adhān in the Right Ear

Abu Rāfi‘ (رضي الله عنه) said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ give the adhān in the ear of al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī when Fāṭimah gave birth to him.”
(Tirmidhī 1514)

This Sunnah is recommended so “the first words the baby hears are the remembrance of Allāh.”
Ibn al-Qayyim wrote:

“The wisdom of the adhān is that the newborn’s first hearing should be words of tawḥīd.” (Tuhfat al-Mawdūd)

*Some scholars regard the ḥadīth as weak, but the act is still mustaḥabb (recommended).

🍯 2. Tahnik (Sweetening the Palate with Date)

The Prophet ﷺ used to soften a date and place it in the newborn’s mouth. (Bukhārī 5153)
If dates aren’t available, a small amount of something sweet can be used safely.

🧸 3. Naming the Baby

It is Sunnah to give a good name by the 7th day. Naming before or soon after birth is okay too.

“The most beloved names to Allāh are ʿAbdullāh and ʿAbd al-Raḥmān.” (Muslim 2132)

Choose a good name (with good meaning).

It is mustahabb to give the child a Prophet’s name:

Anas ibn Malik said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A child was born to me last night and I called him by the name of my father Ibrahim.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2315)

It is mustahabb (recommended) to name the child on the seventh day, but there is nothing wrong with naming the baby when he is born.

✂️ 4. Shaving the Head & Sadaqah (Charity) on the 7th Day.

On the 7th day, shave the baby’s head and give charity equal to the hair’s weight in silver. (Abū Dāwūd 2838)

Opinions differ on whether shaving the head or not for girls.

🐑 5. ʿAqīqah (Sacrifice) on the 7th Day.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“For a boy, two sheep; for a girl, one.” (Abū Dāwūd 2834)

If it cannot be done on the 7th day, it may be done later when able.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Among the benefits of ‘aqiqah is that it is a sacrifice that is offered on behalf of the newborn when he first emerges into this world.

Another benefit is that it “releases” the newborn, for he is held in pledge for his ‘aqiqah so that he may intercede for his parents.

Another benefit is that it is a ransom that is paid for the newborn just as Allah, may He be exalted, ransomed Isma’il with the ram.” (Tuhfat al-Mawdud, p. 69)

🤍 6. Supplication and Gratitude

Make duʿā for the child for righteousness:

“May Allāh bless you with a righteous child and make him/her a joy for your eyes.”

Remember: every child is a trust (amānah)—raising them upon tawḥīd and Sunnah begins from birth.

Other recommended acts & attitudes

• It is recommended to make duʿā (supplication) for the newborn: e.g., “May Allāh make him/her righteous, make him/her among the pious, preserve him/her, guide him/her to the straight path.”

• Gratitude (shukr) always: Allāh gave you a trust and blessing, so express thanks through dhikr, good deeds, and remembering the One who granted the child.

Notes of caution & balance

• While many of the practices above are strongly meritorious and supported by scholars, one must be careful not to exaggerate or treat them as obligatory when they are actually mustahabb. For example, the adhān in the ear is supported, but some scholars note that the hadith’s chain has weaknesses; therefore, it remains recommended, not required.

• Avoid bid'ah and cultural practices that have no clear grounding in the Sunnah just because “everyone does them.” Always check against the Sunnah.

• Make sure the practices do not overwhelm the practical needs of the mother, baby, and family. Ease, mercy, and intention matter greatly in Islam.

🌼 Final Thoughts

These Sunnahs express gratitude to Allāh and start the baby’s life upon goodness and remembrance. The purpose is to follow the Sunnah and also to bring the child close to Allāh and to begin their journey in life with the light of Islam. Every child is an Amanah (trust) from Allah, and parents should strive to carry out the responsibility of raising them upon the natural and correct path of Islam. We take the means and also make dua to Allah to guide the future generation of the ummah.

May Allāh bless every newborn, grant him/her righteousness, make them the joy of their parents' eyes, and guide them upon tawheed and good character. Ameen.

🛍️ Explore: For meaningful gifts inspired by these Sunnahs—from Islamic baby toys to Islamic storybooks—visit TinyMuslim.com.