What happens after Birth in Islam?
When a baby is born, a father or any family elder softly recites a prayer, that a Muslim says 5 times a day, so that that become the first words the Muslim baby will hear.
Islam supports high hygienic standards so the islamic people normally circumcise the baby before leaving the hospital to home. The religion also encourages the mother to breastfeed their baby, that is, the instruction from the Quran if you wanted their period to be weaned for 2 years.
To celebrate a child's birth, it is suggested that the father is to slaughter one or two animals (sheep or goats). One third of this meat is given away to the poor while the rest is shared as a community meal. As to the community meal, there are gathered with relatives, friends and neighbors to celebrate this happy event. Traditionally, this is occurred on the seventh day after the child's birth, but it can be delayed to later. This whole process comes to the name of Aqeeqah. The arabic word 'aq' means cut. which leads to another traditional event of shaving the head of the baby.
It is not required, however a tradition, to shave off the hair of the newborn baby after 7 days. The hair that has been shaved off is measured by weight and by the equivalent amount, the silver or gold is donated to the poor.
One of the most clingy thought that hangs around the parents' mind is choosing a name for their child. Not just any name, but a meaningful name. It is announced from the Prophet, "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and by your fathers' names, so give yourselves good names" The prophet that said this was Hadith Abu Dawud. Muslim children are normally named within the seven days of their birth.
Islam supports high hygienic standards so the islamic people normally circumcise the baby before leaving the hospital to home. The religion also encourages the mother to breastfeed their baby, that is, the instruction from the Quran if you wanted their period to be weaned for 2 years.
To celebrate a child's birth, it is suggested that the father is to slaughter one or two animals (sheep or goats). One third of this meat is given away to the poor while the rest is shared as a community meal. As to the community meal, there are gathered with relatives, friends and neighbors to celebrate this happy event. Traditionally, this is occurred on the seventh day after the child's birth, but it can be delayed to later. This whole process comes to the name of Aqeeqah. The arabic word 'aq' means cut. which leads to another traditional event of shaving the head of the baby.
It is not required, however a tradition, to shave off the hair of the newborn baby after 7 days. The hair that has been shaved off is measured by weight and by the equivalent amount, the silver or gold is donated to the poor.
One of the most clingy thought that hangs around the parents' mind is choosing a name for their child. Not just any name, but a meaningful name. It is announced from the Prophet, "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and by your fathers' names, so give yourselves good names" The prophet that said this was Hadith Abu Dawud. Muslim children are normally named within the seven days of their birth.
Symbols of Birth in Islam
The symbols of Islam are the actions mentioned above, such as; circumcision, Aqeeqah, etc. They all represent a birth and they are symbols of a new life to people that are Islam.