Contragulations
and Supplicating for the newborn baby
Since
the new-born child is something good that has come to his parents, a
reason for their happiness then it is desirable for those who know bout
it to congratulate the parents and his near relations and
congratulating a Muslim when he attains that which is pleasing is an
established sunnah - just as with marriage, at the time of Eid, at the
time of repentance, and on other such occasions so the same is the case
at the birth of a child. Furthermore, our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used
to take the new-born child and supplicate for its good and for
blessing. 'Aishah (RD) said: "New-born children used to be brought to
Allah's Messenger (SAW) and he would supplicate for blessing for them
and rub a chewed date upon their palate."2
THE
MANNER OF CONGRATULATING
I have not come across anything in the sunnah established from the
Messenger (SAW) regarding the manner of congratulating
- except for the supplication for the blessing which has preceded. But
it is said that a man came to al-Hasan al-Basree - rahimahullaah3
and entered upon him when there was already with him a man who had a
new-born son. So the man said to him: "Congratulations for the lion."
So al-Hasan said: "How do you know whether he will be a lion or a
donkey" So he said: "Then what should we say?" He said, "Say: You have
been blessed in what you have been given, may you give thanks to the
One who granted it, may he reach maturity and right-guidance, and may
you be treated well by him." and in a different wording that he said to
him: "May Allaah make him a blessing for you and for the Ummah of
Muhammad".4
So this form of congratulations reported as being the saying of
al-Hasan is beautiful in meaning and wording since it contains the
seeking of good and blessings for the new-born child - which was what
the Messenger (SAW) used to do with the children of the Companions.
And if someone gives congratulations with other wordings - then that is
permissible and he has carried out the sunnah by doing what was
intended and because we do not have anything particular mentioned in
text, and Allaah knows best. At this point, we should also mention a
very important point which is that supplicating for blessing of the
child when greeting his arrival is what every righteous parent would
wish so that this child may be righteous himself, beneficial to them
and a blessing for his Deen and for the Ummah. But as regards
supplicating that he should become doctor or an engineer, or just that
he should grow up to be like his parents, then none of this has any
value in Islam, since if he attained that but was deprived of blessing,
good and righteousness, then that would indeed be worthless.
Then, after this, the manners of greeting the new-born proceed and the
prescribed practices (Sunan) by which he is welcomed into the shade of
Allah's Deen follow on, so that he may grow up upon them and be raised
in their shade right from the first breath of air which he takes in
this life.
So in what follows - if Allaah wills - there will be a full explanation
of these Sunnahs and the prescribed manners.
1. Ibn Sa'd in his 'Tabaqaat' and Ibn 'Abdul-Barr in 'Al-lstee'aab'
2. Reported by Muslim [E.T. 3/1173/No. 5347] and Abu Dawood
3. Famous taabi'ee of Basrah, died in 11OH.
4. Ibn ul-Qayim attributes it to Ibnul-Mudhir in 'al-Awaat', and
as-Suyootee in 'al-Haawee' attributes it to Ibn 'Asaakir. Its isnaad
contains Kulthoom ibn Jawshan who is weak. Information
From Manners of Welcoming the New Born Child in Islam
By Yoosuf ibn ‘Abdullaah Al-‘Areefee
Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank
