I am a revert. My husband is a muslim. I am currently 7 months pregnant with our first child. I have read many articles regarding the Islamic procedures of welcoming a newborn. I am not sure whether it is required that the babies hair to be shaved completely off to the skin or whether it is permissible to remove most of the hair but leaving some behind (i.e. leave a length of about 5mm or so). I have read and heard of adverse medical effects of shaving off a newborns hair completely and that the scalp may develope sores and so on. Obviously I want the best for my newborn as far Islam is concerned and also as far as my babies health is concerned. Please advise whether it is permissible to leave a little of the hair on the head. I have read that the cutting of the babies hair is Mustahab which means it is recommended but not obligatory. Also what are my rights as the babies mother to refuse this one procedure if I feel my baby may gain more harm from it than good, medically speaking?
You state you want the best for your child when he/she is born. Surely,
there can never be anything better than the guidance and practice of
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).
He advised the removing of the hair of the new born child. He also practiced
upon that. It is for this reason, the practice is regarded as Mustahabb
(desirable) as it has many benefits. The removing of the hair of a new born
child should be done by an experienced person. To the best of our knowledge
and experience, removing the hair does not develop sores.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
It order to obtain blessings the following should be done:
? The afterbirth (placenta) and navel cord should be buried with due care
since they are parts of the human body.
? Upon birth: the newly born child should be given a proper Ghusl.
? Thereafter, the first words to reach the child’s ears should be the
message of the Greatness and Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). This is done by giving Adhaan near
the right ear and Iqaamat close to the left ear (this noble act should be
preferably be done by an Áalim or a pious elder of the family). If such a
person is not immediately available then any Muslim male may conduct this
Sunnat.
? To perform Tahneek (placing of a date, softened by chewing on the tongue
of the new born baby).
The act of Tahneek should also preferably be done by an Áalim or a pious
elder of the family. If such a person is not available then any Muslim male
may perform this act. Honey may be a substitute for dates, if dates are not
available.
? To give the new born an appropriate name on the 7th day.
? To make Aqeeqa on the 7th day.
? Aqeeqa is a form of Sadaqah whereby the child is safeguarded against
misfortunes. Two sheep, alternatively two goats are slaughtered in the case
of a male while one goat or one sheep in the case of a female. If for some
reason Aqeeqa was not made on the 7th day, then it should be done on the
14th, 21st 28th or any day in multiples of 7 thereafter. The sooner the
Aqeeqa is performed the better.
? It is Mustahabb to remove the baby’s hair on the 7th day after birth –
gold alternatively silver equivalent to the weight of the removed hair may
be given as charity to the poor otherwise its equivalent value in money. The
hair should be buried with due care and respect.
? To prescribe Salaat to the children when they are seven years of age.
? To chastise them if they don’t perform Salaat when they are 10 years of
age. One is reminded here of the separating of males from that of females
when the child turns ten years of age.