هُوَ أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَة
“It is He Who brought you into being and endowed you with hearing, sight, and hearts.” (Al-Mulk 67:23)
When a Child is Born
The birth of a child is one of the greatest blessings Allah bestows on a family. The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Every child is born on the fitra (natural disposition of Islam); it is his parents who then make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian.”
The first acts surrounding birth orient the child toward the divine — ensuring that the first sounds entering the world are those of Allah’s name and the call to prayer.
The First Moments — Adhan and Iqamah
The Call at Birth
The first sunnah upon the birth of a child is:
- Reciting the Adhan into the child’s right ear
- Reciting the Iqamah into the child’s left ear
This fills the child’s first breaths with Tawhid — the proclamation that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger.
The adhan and iqamah are recited by the father if present, or by a respected elder of the family.
Tahnik — Sweetening the Tongue
Tahnik (تَحْنِيك) is the sunnah of placing a softened date (or honey if dates are unavailable) into the baby’s mouth, done by a righteous person — ideally the Amil Saheb or a pious elder.
The Prophet (SAW) performed tahnik for many newborns brought to him, chewing the date and rubbing a small amount on the infant’s palate.
This act is symbolic: the child’s first taste is of something sweet and blessed, prayed over by someone with nearness to Allah.
The Name
Choosing the Name
The child should be given a name that carries meaning and dignity. The Prophet (SAW) advised:
“Give your children beautiful names, for you will be called by your names on the Day of Resurrection.”
In the Bohra tradition, names are typically drawn from:
- Names of the Prophets (Ibrahim, Ismail, Musa, Isa, Muhammad)
- Names of the Imams (Ali, Hasan, Husain, Jafar, Taher, Burhanuddin)
- Names of the Duat Mutlaqeen (Idris, Syedna, Taher, Fakhruddin)
- Names of the Ahl al-Bayt’s blessed women (Fatema, Zainab, Khadija, Ruqayya, Maryam)
When to Name
The name is customarily given on the seventh day after birth (the same day as the aqeeqah). However, naming on the day of birth is also acceptable.
The naming may be announced to the Amil Saheb, who offers dua for the child and records the name in the community register.
Aqeeqah — The Sacrifice of Gratitude
What is Aqeeqah?
Aqeeqah (عَقِيقَة) is the sacrifice performed on behalf of a newborn as an act of gratitude to Allah for the gift of the child. It is a confirmed sunnah (sunnah muakkadah).
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“For every child, an aqeeqah is tied to it — so slaughter on the seventh day, shave the head on the seventh day, and give the child its name.”
When?
The seventh day after birth is the ideal time. If this is missed, it may be done on the 14th day, or the 21st day, or at any time thereafter. Scholars hold that the opportunity does not permanently lapse.
How Many Animals?
| For a son | Two sheep or goats |
|---|---|
| For a daughter | One sheep or goat |
The animals should meet the same minimum requirements as for Eid al-Adha sacrifice:
- Sheep/goat: at least 1 year old
- Healthy, without defects
If two animals are sacrificed for a son, they do not have to be identical but should be of acceptable quality.
The Niyyat (Intention)
Before slaughter, the intention is made: “I am performing aqeeqah on behalf of [child’s name], seeking the pleasure of Allah.”
The dua at slaughter is the same as for any halal slaughter: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا
“In the name of Allah; O Allah, accept this from us.”
A specific dua for aqeeqah is preserved in the dawat tradition — recite it from the duas section of this app.
Distributing the Meat
The aqeeqah meat is distributed as follows (as a general guideline):
- One third given to the poor and needy
- One third given as gifts to relatives and neighbors
- One third kept for the family
Unlike the Eid qurbani, no bones should be broken — the animal is cut at the joints. This is a symbolic prayer for the child’s physical health and wholeness.
Shaving the Head — Halq al-Mawlud
On the seventh day, the child’s head is shaved (or hair trimmed for girls). This is sunnah and carries two significances:
- Spiritual cleansing: The first hair is connected to the child’s birth — shaving removes it as a ritual act of new beginning.
- Charity by weight: Traditionally, the equivalent weight of the shaved hair in silver (or its monetary value) is given in sadaqah.
The shaved hair is buried, not discarded casually.
Khitan — Circumcision
For Boys
Khitan (خِتَان — circumcision) is obligatory (fard) for boys in the Shafi’i school followed by Dawoodi Bohras.
The ideal time is the seventh day, though it may be performed later. It must be done before the child reaches maturity.
The Amil Saheb should be informed and may offer dua at the occasion.
For Girls
Khitan for girls (a minor, symbolic form — hifad) is recognized in the Shafi’i fiqh. In practice, this should be handled according to the Amil Saheb’s guidance and local medical advice. The Bohra community’s approach follows the dawat’s religious direction on this sensitive matter.
The Celebration — Aaqeeqah Jamaat
Many Bohra families hold a small jamaat (gathering) on the seventh day:
- Recitation of Quran and salawat
- Dua for the child led by the Amil Saheb
- Niyaz (blessed food) shared with those present
- The naming is announced
- A sadaqah envelope may be presented to those who attend
This gathering turns a family occasion into a community blessing — the child’s first connection to jamaat.
The First Forty Days
The New Mother
In the Bohra tradition, the new mother observes a period of rest and recovery for approximately 40 days after birth. During this time:
- She is not required to fast if unable
- She may delay prayers if in post-natal bleeding (nifas)
- The community supports the family with meals and visits
Nifas — Post-Natal Purity
The period of nifas (post-natal bleeding) can last up to 40 days. During this time, a woman does not pray or fast but maintains the remembrance of Allah through dhikr and dua.
When nifas ends, she performs a full ghusl (ritual bath) before resuming prayers.
Prayers for the Child
A beautiful dua for a newborn child, drawn from Quranic supplication:
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاء
“My Lord, grant me from Yourself a pure offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.” (Al-Imran 3:38)
A Note on Celebrating
Islam is a religion of gratitude. The aqeeqah and all the surrounding sunnah practices are expressions of a family’s shukr (gratitude) to Allah for the gift of a child. The Prophet (SAW) celebrated births; his community gathered; the poor were fed; the community rejoiced together.
In this tradition, every Bohra child enters the world already wrapped in prayer, sacrifice, community, and the love of the Ahl al-Bayt.
May Allah bless every child born into this ummah, make them a coolness of their parents’ eyes, and enroll them among the faithful of the dawat. آمين يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِين