When should a newborn’s head be shaved and who can perform it?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

‘Aqiqa consists of giving a name to the baby, shaving its hair, and offering a sacrifice.

Narrated Salman bin ‘Amir Ad-Dabbi:

I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “‘Aqiqah is to be offered for a (newly born) boy, so slaughter (an animal) for him, and relieve him of his suffering.” (Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 66, Number 380)

Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: A boy is in pledge for his Aqiqah, Sacrifice is made for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and he is given a name. (Abu Dawud, Book 15, Number 2832)

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As:

The Apostle of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked about the Aqiqah. He replied: Allah does not like the breaking of ties (Uquq), as though he disliked the name. And he said: If anyone has a child born to him and wishes to offer a sacrifice on its behalf, he may offer two resembling sheep for a boy and one for a girl. (Abu Dawud, Book 15, Number 2836)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Jafar ibn Muhammad that his father said, “Fatima, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) weighed the hair of Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum, and gave away in Sadaqa an equivalent weight of silver.” (Muwatta Imam Malik, Book 26, Number 26.1.2)

When should Aqiqah be performed?

It can be concluded from the sayings of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alahi Wasallam) that the correct timing for Aqiqah is on the seventh day. It is Mustahab and virtuous to perform it on this day. However, if due to inconvenience this is not possible it should not be delayed unnecessarily. The sooner it is accomplished the better. If one wishes to perform Aqiqah on the 7th, a simple method is to perform it a day before the day the child was born, i.e., if a child is born on Friday, perform the Aqiqah on Thursday. If he was born on Thursday Aqiqah would be on Wednesday. By following this general rule the calculation would be correct. (Beheshti Zewar pg. 167)

There is no problem if one shaved the head before the seventh day. However, one will be deprived of the reward of acting upon the sunnah. Also, It is permissible for the mother to shave the head.

For shaving the head there is no specific supplications. However, before you start shaving the head recite, Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, Any important work that does not begin with Bismillah is devoid of Barakah.

Please read more: http://www.inter-islam.org/Actions/Part13.html#Aqueeqa%20(sacrifice)%20of%20an%20animal%20for

(Also see: Fiqhi Jawahir Vol.1 Pg.13-21, By Mufti Faruq Sahib Damat Barakatuhum)

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK