Guide to Muslims - Islamic & Social Affairs
Guide to Muslims - Islamic & Social Affairs
Hakeem-ul-Ummat HAZRAT MUFTI AHMED YAAR KHAN NAEEMI
BIRTH OF A CHILD
It is generally found that people celebrate on the birth of a boy and show dissatisfaction when a girl is born. Islam disapproves of this kind of behavior. Children are great gift from Almighty Allah and we should be thankful and rejoice irrespective of the gender of the new-born child. The birth of a daughter is a blessing and the Prophet of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that they would be a shield for the parents from Hell.
It is stated in the Quran Shareef, Surah an-Nahl, Verse 58: "� when news is brought to one of them of the birth of a female child his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief". This was the belief of the Kufaar prior to Islam.
The woman that gives birth to a girl as her first child is indeed fortunate as the first born of the Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was a girl.
On the birth of a child, gifts or alms should be distributed among the poor. Nafils should be read instead of having parties, playing music and distributing sweetmeats, which is totally unnecessary.
When a child is born, he or she should be given Ghusal as soon as possible and the Azaan must be read in the right ear and the Takbeer recited in the left ear. The after-birth (placenta, etc.) of the child should be buried.
It is also Sunnat that some pious person chews something sweet like dates (Khajoor) and place in the baby�s palate (Thaneek). It is established from the Ahadith that the Sahabas took new-borns to the Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) for Thaneek .
It is preferable to have a Meelad Shareef or Fateha on the birth of a baby. All other unnecessary customs, which has no basis in Islam, should be completely stopped.
AQEEQA AND CIRCUMCISION
It is Sunnat to make Aqeeqa on the 7th day after the birth of a child, but if this is not possible, it should be done on the 15th or 21st day.
It is required to make Aqeeqa of two sheep for a boy and one sheep for a girl. The Aqeeqa meat should be divided into three parts: one part is to be given to the poor, one to friends and family and one part to be used in the house.
It is preferable that the bones should not be broken but be separated by the joints and buried after eating.
It is also better that the child be named by the 7th day from the time of birth. A good name, preferably one of the names of the Ambiya or of a Sahabi would be of Barakat. "Mohammed" is the best name and names such as this should never be mispronounced.
During Aqeeqa (7th day) the child�s hair can also be removed and the equivalent weight in Silver should be given in Sadaqah. Soaked Saffron can be rubbed on the child�s head after the hair is removed.
It is also permissible to make Aqeeqa of one cow for a few children, meaning 2/7 part of a cow for a boy and one part for a girl.
One should not borrow money to make Aqeeqa as it is not compulsory on a person that cannot afford it. Aqeeqa is not Fardh or Waajib but it is a Sunnat.
Circumcision is Sunnat for males between the ages of 7 to12 years. To circumcise after the age of 12 is prohibited. It is best to circumcise at an early age, even during Aqeeqa (7th day) as the child heals very quickly and does not suffer much. There is no need to have functions to celebrate the process of circumcision.
UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN
A child should be weaned off breast milk at the age of two.
When the child is learning to speak, first teach him or her to say the name of Allah and teach the child Kalima Tayyibah at a later stage.
When making a child sleep, mothers should read Naaths or Qasida instead of singing songs or playing the radio.
Try to set a good example and practice what you preach as children have a habit of imitating what they see.
Read your Namaaz in their presence, recite Quran Shareef and take them to the Masjid with you.
Read stories of good pious people as children love listening to stories and can learn valuable lessons and form good habits from Hadith and such stories.
When children reach the age of 7 years, they should be ordered to perform Namaaz, learn the five Kalimas, Imaan-e-Mujmal and Imaan-e-Mufassil.
Send children to Madressa to learn Dua�s, to read the Quran Shareef and other Islamic Books and magazines.
Children should be taught to keep their body, clothes and surroundings pure and clean.
They should be given responsibilities as well as certain duties or tasks to perform in the house.
They must be taught to do their own work and should also be taught to make Salaams when entering the house or when meeting people. They should be taught the importance of respecting their elders.
Encourage a life of simplicity including simple dressing and eating habits.
It is advisable that at least one of the children should become Hafiz or an Aalim as it has been stated in a Hadith that three generations of one Hafiz and seven generations of one Aalim will be pardoned.
Instill good constructive hobbies in them, those that can be means for them to earn a Halaal Rozi (sustenance) at a later stage in their lives.
According to Islam, children must be educated in religious and worldly affairs. In this connection, there is also a famous Hadith of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) which says: "The acquisition of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim man and woman." But the education of the females should be in accordance with her temperament and the immediate needs of society. She should be educated in such a manner as could make her a good Muslim, wife, mother, educator and an ideal citizen. Girls should be taught handicrafts, cooking, sewing, etc. It is very important that with any career one should gain Islamic knowledge and practice good Islamic way of life and values.
If a child is not given proper Islamic training and as a result adopts evil habits and commits sins, the sins thereof will be upon the parents.
