Islam & Birth Rites (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

The recitation of the adhan and iqamah

• Rites of passage are key moments in life that mark a change into a new state of living

• Birth rites in Islam are the joyful ceremonies that mark the addition of a new member of the ummah

• At the moment of birth, many Muslims speak the words of the adhan (the call to prayer) and the iqamah (the second call to prayer, usually given just before prayer begins) into the right ear of the baby

• This means that:

  • The call to serve Allah is present from the start of the child’s life

  • The first words the child hears upon entering the world are about Allah

• The father is usually the one who recites the adhan and the iqamah, but any trusted Muslim may do so

• This marks the beginning of the Islamic naming ceremony, known as tasmiyah

  • It lasts for seven days and ends in the aqiqah ceremony, when the community joins in the celebration of the birth

• The baby’s first taste should be sweet

  • The parents rub something sweet, such as honey or the juice from a piece of date, on the baby’s gums

  • This follows the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

    • It symbolises starting life with something pure and sweet

    • It is believed to stimulate the baby’s digestive system

• Often, baby boys are circumcised for cleanliness and sexual purity within their first seven days 

  • This is known as khitan

  • There is no set time for this, and it can take place any time before puberty

Head shaving and aqiqah

• Aqiqah is the ceremony Muslims hold to celebrate the birth of a child 

• It usually takes place on the seventh day after birth, though it can be delayed to the 14th, 21st or 28th day if needed

Key features of the aqiqah ceremony

• Shaving the baby’s head

  • This symbolises purity and a fresh start in the presence of Allah

  • It is also seen as a sign of dedication to Allah

  • The baby’s hair is weighed, and the equivalent weight in silver or gold is given to charity

• Naming the baby

  • The child is formally named during the aqiqah ceremony

  • Boys are often named after prophets or given names beginning with Abd (servant of) followed by one of the 99 names of Allah, e.g. Abd Allah, Abd al-Rahman

  • Girls may be named after respected women in the Qur’an or Islamic history

• Sacrifice

  • A sheep or goat may be sacrificed as part of the ceremony — two animals are usually sacrificed boys and one for girls

  • The meat is shared among family, friends and the poor as an act of generosity

  • In countries such as the UK, this is often arranged through a halal butcher or donated through a charity

• Sharing a meal

  • Friends and family share a meal, which includes some of the sacrificial meat, to celebrate together

  • Gifts are offered to welcome the child

• Sweet taste

  • In some traditions, the baby is given a small amount of honey or date juice to symbolise the sweetness of life and the teachings of the Qur’an

Importance of the aqiqah 

• Aqiqah is a way for Muslims to thank Allah for the gift of a child

• It marks the child’s entry into the ummah (Muslim community)

• It follows the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who encouraged the practice

  • Although it is not compulsory, aqiqah is strongly recommended (sunnah) by many Muslims

• It shows that the family are passing on the Islamic values of community, charity, thankfulness and submission to Allah from the earliest moments of the child’s life

• Once a child has been purified by aqiqah, he or she should try to stay faithful to Allah and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)