Sunnah for Newborn Baby in Islam: A Complete Guide for Muslim Parents

By SG Aqiqah · 25 July 2026

The birth of a child is one of the greatest blessings in Islam. Alongside the joy of welcoming a new life, Muslim parents are encouraged to fulfil a set of sunnah acts that honour this gift and set a spiritually strong foundation for the child. These practices, rooted in the Prophet's ﷺ tradition, are not merely rituals — they are acts of gratitude, protection, and love.

Here are the 6 key sunnah acts for a newborn baby in Islam: adhan and iqamah, tahnik, naming, hair shaving, aqiqah, and circumcision.

1. Adhan and Iqamah — The First Words

The very first thing a newborn should hear are the words of Allah. The sunnah is to recite the adhan (call to prayer) in the baby's right ear and the iqamah in the left ear, immediately or shortly after birth. This act symbolises that the child enters the world under the banner of Islam.

It is a sunnah, not an obligation — but scholars widely recommend it as the child's first spiritual act. The father typically performs this, though any Muslim may do so.

2. Tahnik — Sweetening the Baby's Mouth

Tahnik is the act of softening a small piece of date and gently rubbing it on the inner palate of the newborn's mouth. If dates are unavailable, pure honey may be used. It is recommended that this be performed by a righteous, pious Muslim — a scholar, imam, or respected elder — as a form of blessing for the child.

This practice is authentically established in the sunnah: companions of the Prophet ﷺ would bring their newborns to him specifically for tahnik. Learn more in our full guide: The Importance of Tahnik.

3. Choosing a Good Name

Islam places great emphasis on the meaning of names. The Prophet ﷺ said: "You will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers, so make your names good." The naming of the child is recommended on the 7th day, though it may be done earlier.

• Names with beautiful meanings are encouraged (e.g. Abdullah, Aisha, Maryam)
• Names of the Prophets and righteous companions are recommended
• Names meaning servitude to Allah (Abd + one of His attributes) are highly virtuous
• Names with negative or inappropriate meanings should be avoided

4. Shaving the Head on the 7th Day

On the 7th day, it is sunnah to shave the baby's head. After shaving, the hair is weighed and an amount of silver equivalent to the weight is given as sadaqah (charity). This act symbolises purity, cleanliness, and gratitude to Allah for the gift of the child.

The shaving should be done evenly across the entire head. Partial shaving (e.g. leaving patches) is discouraged.

5. Aqiqah — The Sacrifice of Gratitude

Aqiqah is one of the most important sunnah acts for a newborn. It involves slaughtering animals on the 7th day as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of the child:

• Baby boy: 2 goats or sheep (1 is also valid if unable to provide 2)
• Baby girl: 1 goat or sheep

The meat is distributed among family, neighbours, and the poor. Aqiqah is described in authentic hadith as the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and is considered strongly recommended (sunat muakkad) by most scholars.

SG Aqiqah handles the full aqiqah process in Singapore — slaughter, documentation, and meat distribution. Learn more:

• Aqiqah for Baby Boy in Singapore
• Aqiqah for Baby Girl in Singapore
• Aqiqah Price & Packages

6. Circumcision

For baby boys, circumcision (khitan) is an obligation according to the majority of scholars, and is considered among the acts of fitrah (natural disposition). Scholars differ on the recommended timing — some say within 7 days, others allow up to puberty. Many families in Singapore arrange circumcision within the first few months.

How SG Aqiqah Can Help

SG Aqiqah specialises in making the sunnah of aqiqah and tahnik easy for Muslim families in Singapore. We handle halal-certified slaughter, provide full documentation and photos, and can coordinate with your family's 7th-day celebration. Whether you need aqiqah for a baby boy, baby girl, or have questions about the process, our team is ready to help.