AQIQAH or AQEEQAHThe ‘Aqeeqah of the newborn child is the sacrificial animal that is slaughtered in seeking nearness to Allaah and thanking Him for the blessing of the newborn child on the 7th day after its birth.[1] The root of ‘aqeeqah derives from the Arabic verb ‘aqqa, which means split or cut.
Islaamic terminologyIn Islaamic terminology, ‘aqeeqah refers to the animal slaughtered as a sacrifice for a newborn child. It is so named because its throat is severed during the sacrifice. It is also called naseekah (sacrifice). [2] “The ‘aqeeqah is a Sunnah (recommended deed) according to the vast majority of the scholars, like Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn ‘Umar, ‘Aa’ishah, the jurists of the taabi’oon (those who came after the companions), Al-Mughnee (13/393-394) [3]
Things to be done after the birth of new born baby
SunnahThe Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) said: “Every child is in mortgaged for his ‘aqeeqah which should be sacrificed for him on the seventh day, and his head should be shaved and he should be given a name.” Al-Nasaa’i, 4220; Abu Dawood, 2838; al-Tirmidhi, 1522; Ibn Maajah, 3165; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
It was reported that Aa’ishah(R) said: “the Messenger of Allah (May Allah honour Him and grant Him Peace) did ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn on the seventh day, and gave them their names.” Ibn Hibbaan, 12/127; al-Haakim, 4/264. Classed as saheeh by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 9/589) [4]
Prescribed Time for AqiqahIt was narrated from Samurah ibn Jundub that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah, which should be sacrificed for him on the seventh day and his head should be shaved and he should be given a name.” al-Tirmidhi, 1522, he said it is hasan saheeh; Ibn Maajah, 3165; Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 2563). [5]
Type of animal to be slaughteredIt was narrated from ‘Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded them to sacrifice two similar sheep for a boy and one for a girl. Al-Tirmidhi; he said, it is hasan saheeh; Ibn Maajah, 3163; Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1221.[6]
The condition of the animal for AqiqahIbnul-'Arabee al-Maalikee said: "The condition that the 'Aqeeqa sacrifice must be like that for the Adhaa sacrifice is not established by any authentic or weak hadeeth, so those who hold it to be a condition have no proof other than analogy. 'Fathul-Malikil-Ma'bood ..' of Ibn Khitaab (3/75)
Dua before slaughtering animal Bismillahi Allahuakbar, Allahumma laka wa Ilayka, Hazihi Aqeeqatu fulanin ‘NAME OF CHILD’ Baihaqi 497 classed as Hasan by Imam Nawawi in Al-Majmua, page 8/ 428عن عائشة - رضي الله عنها - أنها قالت: "عق رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - عن الحسن والحسين، وقال: ((قولوا: بسم الله، والله أكبر، اللهم لك وإليك، هذه عقيقة فلان))؛ [رواه البيهقي، وقال النووي: إسناد حسن، Al-Majmua, Imam Nawawi page 8/ 428 [7] Scholars viewImaam ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Among the benefits of ‘aqeeqah are: It is a sacrifice by means of which the child is brought close to Allaah soon after he comes into this world. [8]
Giving Adhan(Azan) and Aqamath in the ears of new bornThere are two views about this matter. Some scholars are giving permission and some other scholars are not giving permission.
Some scholars give permission and mentioning the wisdom behind this act on the basis of some Islamic sources. And they said that welcoming the newborn by Adhan should be recited into the baby’s right ear so that the first thing he hears in this world will be the words of Tawheed, which will have a great and blessed effect on the child. With regard to reciting the aqaamah in the child’s left ear. But according to the research of Shaik Naseer Uddin Albani (may Allah have mercy on him)giving Adhan or Aqamah in the ears of a new born child is unauthentic, for details See al-Silsilat al-Da’eefah, 1/491 by Shaik Albani. [9]
Seek Allah's protection for childrenThe Prophet (May Allah honour Him and grant Him peace) used to seek Allah's protection for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain by saying: (Dua to safeguard from Evil Eyes) "U'eezukumaa bikalimaatil-laahit-taammati min kulli shaytaanin wa haammatin, wa min kulli 'aynin laammatin".
Translation: "I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every beast and from every envious blameworthy eye" Sahih Al Bukhari Vol 4:119. [10]
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Andy Cole, chief executive of premature baby charity Bliss, said: "This is a very interesting piece of new research and we always welcome anything that has the potential to improve outcomes for babies born premature or sick. [11]
Islam is more advance then the modern day science; Prophet Muhammad(S) over 1400 years ago gave this sunnah called Tahnik – putting something sweet, such as dates, in the child’s mouth when the child is new born. Sahih al-Bukhaari, 5150; Muslim, 2145
See AlsoTasmiya; Dates; Circumcision ; Importance of the Sunnah; Tahneek; Abortion; Children; Baby names;
References[1] http://www.fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=555 [2] http://www.qss.org/archives/aqeeqah.html [3] http://www.bakkah.net/en/ruling-aqeeqah-obligation-recommended-sunnah.htm [4] [8] [9] [10] http://islamqa.info/en/ref/7889/tahneek [5] http://www.qss.org/archives/aqeeqah.html#N_22_ [6] http://www.quransunnah.com/modules.php?name=QNA&l_op=viewfatwa&lid=829 [7] http://www.alukah.net/sharia/0/46177/#ixzz3CPUIjgXq |
Dua to be read (for male child) 
A dose of sugar given as a gel rubbed into the inside of the cheek is a cheap and effective way to protect premature babies against brain damage, say experts. Researchers from New Zealand tested the gel therapy in 242 babies under their care and, based on the results, say it should now be a first-line treatment..