Baby hair shaving on the 7th day & giving silver sadaqah — a confirmed sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ explained for Muslim families in Singapore.
Tahliq (تحليق) is the Islamic sunnah act of shaving a newborn baby's head on the 7th day after birth, accompanied by giving sadaqah equivalent in value to the weight of the hair in silver. It is a distinct sunnah from tahnik (which is done at birth) and is performed alongside aqiqah and the giving of a name on the 7th day.
The word tahliq comes from the Arabic root meaning "to shave." It is part of the cluster of sunnah acts that Islam prescribes for welcoming a new child — marking the child's entry into the community and expressing gratitude to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said about his grandson al-Hasan: "Shave his head and give sadaqah equivalent to the weight of his hair in silver, or its equivalent in gold."
— Reported by Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi
Another narration states: "On the 7th day of the child's birth, give the child a name, shave the head, and slaughter the aqiqah."
— Tirmidhi (hasan)
The majority of scholars classify tahliq as a sunnah mu'akkadah (confirmed sunnah) — strongly encouraged and following the practice of the Prophet ﷺ, though not obligatory (fardhu). Some Hanbali scholars consider it close to wajib. Neglecting it without cause is considered makruh by many scholars.
Many parents are unsure which 7th-day sunnah acts differ from one another. Here is a clear comparison:
| Sunnah Act | When | What It Involves | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahnik | At birth (or very soon after) | Rubbing softened date on the newborn's palate by a pious person | Sunnah mu'akkadah |
| Tahliq | 7th day | Shaving the baby's head completely; giving silver sadaqah by hair weight | Sunnah mu'akkadah |
| Aqiqah | 7th day (or 14th / 21st) | Slaughtering 1 goat for a girl, 2 goats for a boy; distributing the meat | Sunnah mu'akkadah |
| Naming | At birth or 7th day | Giving the child a good Islamic name with beautiful meaning | Sunnah / some say wajib for a name with good meaning |
Count 7 days from the day of birth (birth day = Day 1). The 7th day is the preferred date. If not possible, the 14th or 21st day are acceptable alternatives.
Use a clean, sharp razor or baby clippers. Traditionally, a barber or a knowledgeable male family member performs the shaving. Ensure the baby is calm and comfortable.
Begin with Bismillah. Start from the right side of the head following sunnah. Shave the entire head. Collect all the cut hair carefully in a cloth or bowl.
Use a sensitive digital scale (grams). Weigh all the collected hair. Even a small amount matters — the weight determines your sadaqah obligation.
Check today's silver price (SGD per gram). Multiply by the hair weight in grams. Give that cash amount as sadaqah to the poor, a mosque, or an Islamic charity in Singapore such as Mendaki.
Example: If the baby's hair weighs 5 grams and silver is SGD 1.20 per gram, the sadaqah is SGD 6.00. Round up generously — it is a blessing.
In Singapore, many Muslim families perform tahliq and aqiqah on the same day — the 7th day of the child's birth. This is ideal and in keeping with the sunnah. SG Aqiqah provides full aqiqah services including slaughter and meat distribution. You can arrange tahliq independently or with your family at home, then have your aqiqah handled by us.
Book SG Aqiqah for the slaughter and distribution — combine with your tahliq for a full sunnah celebration.
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