I am a revert. During a name giving ceremony, I observed that the baby’s head was made wet with water. This reminded me of the Christian baptism ceremony. Can you please tell me what is the significance of this and why it is done? Shukran
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
On the seventh day of a baby’s birth, it is preferable to do aqeeqah, name the baby, shave his head and to give in charity the value of the hair’s weight in gold or silver.
(Fatawa Mahmudiya: 17/517; Al-Fiqh Al-Islami wa Adillatuhu: 4/2751)
Regarding wetting the baby’s head with water, it is alien to the teachings of Islam. If the head was wet in order to facilitate in shaving it, then it is a different story.
Regarding ‘name giving ceremony’, click on the following link for details:
http://askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.php?askid=545553312c3664e514968b02d85177a7
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faizal Riza
22/10/2011