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Overview
Overview
Within Islam there are two main birth rituals - the Adhan, and the Aqiqah - and a third ritual of male circumcision. This unit will focus on the Adhan and Aqiqah as birth rituals.
Islam has a singular initiation ritual known as the Shahadah. There are no other rites of passage or initiation outside of this ritual. Once Muslims reach the age of accountability (puberty) they are now considered to be accountable for their actions. There is no ritual or ceremony to accompany this.
Initiation - Shahadah
Initiation - Shahadah
The Shahadah is the Muslim declaration of faith and the first Pillar of Islam. It expresses the belief that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. This belief in one God is known as monotheism. In order to become a Muslim, a person simply has to declare the Shahadah in front of witnesses. This highlights the key importance of the Shahadah in Islam. Saying the Shahada is the only requirement to become a Muslim - it is a public commitment to the path of Islam . There is no compulsion in religion, and no one is forced to convert to Islam.
When is the Shahadah recited?
When is the Shahadah recited?
The Shahadah is recited in the adhan or call to prayer and by all Muslims performing the daily ritual prayer or Salat. It is whispered into the ear of a newborn Muslim baby and recited at an aqiqah ceremony. The words of the Shahadah should also be the last words a Muslim hears at the moment of death.
Key Beliefs Reinforced in the Shahadah
Key Beliefs Reinforced in the Shahadah
The shahada frees a person up from false gods or masters that may enforce disproportionate force on a person. This may be their own selves, wealth, status, power other deities. Islam requires one to reject all other deities and submit to one omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God
“He is God, there is no deity but He...”
“He is God, there is no deity but He...”
(Qur’an 59:23)
“Muhammad is the messenger of God...”
“Muhammad is the messenger of God...”
(Qur’an, 48:29)
“There is no compulsion in religion...”
“There is no compulsion in religion...”
(Qur’an, 2:226)
Birth Ritual - Adhan
Birth Ritual - Adhan
As soon as the child is born, the adhan (call to prayer) is whispered by the child's father in the newborn’s ear. As Allah is the most important thing in a Muslim’s life, calling the adhan immediately symbolically brings the child into awareness of Allah.
The English translation of the adhan is:
God is Great! God is Great! God is Great! God is Great!I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.Hurry to the prayer. Hurry to the prayer.Hurry to salvation. Hurry to salvation.God is Great! God is Great!There is no god except the One God.Arabic transliteration of the adhan is as follows:
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah.Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah. Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah.Hayya 'ala-s-Salah. Hayya 'ala-s-Salah.Hayya 'ala-l-Falah. Hayya 'ala-l-Falah.Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!La ilaha illa Allah.Purpose & Beliefs Reinforced in the Ritual
Purpose & Beliefs Reinforced in the Ritual
Calling the adhan symbolically brings the newborn into awareness of the most significant aspect of their lives - the belief in one God. The shahada is one of the first things the newborn will hear once being born. This also manifests the belief in messengers of God, as Muslims perform this act because Muhammad did.
When Fatima gave birth to Hassan the Messenger of God called the adhan in the ear of Hassan
When Fatima gave birth to Hassan the Messenger of God called the adhan in the ear of Hassan
(Sunnah - Tirmidhi)
Birth Ritual - Aqiqah
Birth Ritual - Aqiqah
The aqiqah is the ceremony when a sheep or two is slaughtered to celebrate the birth of the child, this meat is distributed to the poor, the baby’s head is shaved and gold equal to the weight of the hair is donated in charity, and the naming of the child is revealed.
Key Actions & Symbols of the Ritual
Key Actions & Symbols of the Ritual
On the seventh day after birth, the child's head is shaved. The baby is often named after one of the prophets or one of the great men or women of early Islam, though it is common for boys' names to follow the pattern 'servant of' plus one of the ninety-nine names of Allah, eg 'Abd Allah or 'Abd al-Rahman. Many Muslims view Aqiqah as desirable, but some see it as compulsory.
At the Aqiqah ceremony the parents give thanks to Allah for the gift of the baby.
The shaving of the head symbolises the cleansing of the baby from impurities and the start of its life afresh in the presence of Allah.
The baby is given a taste of honey. A sheep or a goat may be offered in sacrifice to mark the occasion. For a boy, two sheep are slaughtered, but only one is required for a girl.
The honey is given to reflect the sweetness of the Qur'an.
The meat is divided by a halal butcher into three portions: one for the family, one for friends, and the third for the poor. This symbolies sharing the family's good fortune with other.
The shaved hair from the baby is weighed and the equivalent weight in silver or gold is given to charity.
Once a child has been purified by Aqiqah, he or she should try to stay faithful to Allah and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Purpose & Beliefs Reinforced in the Ritual
Purpose & Beliefs Reinforced in the Ritual
The aqiqah is a legacy inherited from Prophet Ibrahim, later followed by the Prophet Muhammad - this highlights the belief in the messengers of God. The reason for the aqiqah is to give thanks to God for the blessing of a child. As Muslims are giving thanks to God for his bountiful blessings, it reminds them that all blessings come from God.
Muslims shave the head of the newborn as it is a sunnah of the Prophet. The Prophet Muhammad also encouraged Muslims to name the child seven days after it has been born. These directly relate to the belief in messengers of God.
“Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah, which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he should be shaved and given a name.”
“Every child is in pledge for his ‘aqeeqah, which should be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day, and he should be shaved and given a name.”
(Sunnah - Abu Dawood)
Birth Ritual - Circumcision
Birth Ritual - Circumcision
Circumcision is not mentioned in the Qur'an but it is highlighted in the Sunnah (the Prophet Muhammad's recorded words and actions). In the Sunnah, Muhammad stated that circumcision was a "law for men." At the time of Aqiqah, seven days after birth, boy babies are circumcised.
Some Muslims regard this as the equivalent of a sacrifice to Allah. Muslims cleanse themselves before prayer and circumcision is said to make this total cleanliness easier to ensure.
Circumcision also connects Muslims today with the beginning of the religion of Islam. It follows the example of the prophet Abraham (Ibrahim). Muslims believe that circumcision shows that they are continuing the traditional religion.
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