In Islam, it is recommended to whisper the adhan (call to prayer) into the newborn's right ear and the iqama (establishment of prayer) into their left ear.
This practice stems from the desire that the very first words a baby hears are the words of tawhid (the Oneness of Allah) and the proclamation of Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His messenger. This is considered a blessed and auspicious start to the child's life, connecting them to their faith from their earliest moments.
The Adhan and Iqama: Key Components
The adhan includes the following phrases:
- Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest) - repeated four times
- Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah) - repeated two times
- Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) - repeated two times
- Hayya 'ala-s-Salah (Hurry to prayer) - repeated two times
- Hayya 'ala-l-Falah (Hurry to success) - repeated two times
- Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest) - repeated two times
- La ilaha illallah (There is no deity but Allah) - stated once
The iqama is similar to the adhan but with a few variations, and includes the phrase:
- Qad qamati-s-Salah (Prayer has been established) - stated two times
Purpose and Significance
Whispering the adhan and iqama into the newborn's ears serves several purposes:
- Declaration of Faith: It's the first declaration of faith the child hears, instilling the belief in Allah's oneness from birth.
- Protection: It's believed to be a protection against evil influences.
- Blessing: It's a blessing for the child's life and a welcoming into the Muslim community.
- Following the Sunnah: Although there are different opinions on its authenticity as a Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad), it is a widely practiced tradition among Muslims.
When to Perform
Ideally, this should be done as soon as possible after the baby's birth, before any other sounds or conversations reach the child. This demonstrates the importance of tawhid in Islam and its prioritization from the beginning of life.
