The birth of a child is a momentous occasion, filled with joy, gratitude, and hope for the future. Islam beautifully guides us to celebrate this blessing through acts of worship and heartfelt supplications. Along with the happiness of the parents, the Muslim community is encouraged to share in their joy and pray for the newborn’s health, righteousness, and success.
Islamic tradition emphasizes the importance of making dua (supplication) for a newborn, strengthening the child’s bond with Allah from the very beginning of life. These prophetic practices are not merely rituals, but powerful expressions of love, gratitude, and a commitment to a spiritually enriched future. In this article, we explore the Sunnah way of making dua for a newborn, the significance behind these traditions, and the important steps parents are encouraged to take following the birth of their child.
The Sunnah Way of Making Dua for a Newborn
Making dua for a newborn is a deeply cherished and spiritually meaningful tradition. According to the Sunnah, specific actions accompany the birth of a child to ensure that the newborn is welcomed into life with Allah’s blessings.
It is narrated that Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) brought his newborn son to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet named him Ibrahim, performed Tahnik (placing chewed date into the baby’s mouth), prayed for him, and returned him to Abu Musa. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5467)
Beautiful Duas for a Newborn in Islam
One of the recommended duas for a newborn is:
جَعَلَهُ اللّٰهُ مُبَارَكًا عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
“May Allah make him blessed for you and for the Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).”
(Al-Tabarani, Hadith: 872 – graded as Sahih)
Another dua, though classified as weak (da’if), carries a beautiful meaning:
بَارَكَ اللّٰهُ لَكَ فِي الْمَوْهُوبِ لَكَ، وَشَكَرْتَ الْوَاهِبَ، وَبَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ، وَرُزِقْتَ بِرَّهُ
“May Allah bless you in what He has granted you, and may you be grateful to the Giver. May the child reach maturity and be a source of goodness for you.”
Although this dua’s authenticity is questionable, its meaning is noble, and scholars have permitted occasional use of such duas when their content is sound.
Dua for a Newborn’s Health
When a child was born in the household of Ummul Mu’mineen Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), she would first inquire about the baby’s health rather than its gender. Upon hearing good news, she would say:
الْـحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.”
(Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Hadith: 951)
Dua for Righteousness and Piety
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also made a special dua upon the birth of a child:
بَارَكَ اللّٰهُ لَكِ فِيهِ، وَجَعَلَهُ بَرًّا تَقِيًّا
“May Allah bless you with him and make him righteous and pious.”
(Musnad al-Bazzar, Hadith: 7310)
Additionally, another supplication includes:
اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَوَلَدَهُ وَبَارِكْ لَهُ فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ
“O Allah, increase his wealth and his children, and bless him in what You have given him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6344)
Sunnah Actions to Perform When a Baby is Born
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Perform Tahnik by placing a chewed date or something sweet into the baby’s mouth.
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Offer dua for the newborn’s health, righteousness, and future.
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Choose a good and meaningful name for the child.
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Recite the Adhan in the baby’s right ear and the Iqamah in the left.
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Carry out the Aqiqah sacrifice.
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Shave the baby’s head and give charity equivalent to the weight of the hair in silver.
The Power of Dua
Praying for one’s children — and for the children of others — holds immense power. Mu’awiyah bin Qurrah (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that when his son Iyas was born, he invited companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to a feast. After they supplicated for the child, he made dua extensively for his son’s religion, intellect, and future. Later, he observed the positive impact of these prayers in his son’s life. (Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad, Hadith: 950)
A Word of Caution: Do Not Curse Your Children
It is crucial for parents to be mindful in their speech about their children. A father’s or mother’s prayer — whether a blessing or a curse — can be accepted by Allah. Therefore, no matter the circumstances, it is best to pray positively for a child’s guidance, success, and well-being.
Conclusion
Welcoming a newborn with sincere dua and Sunnah practices is a beautiful Islamic tradition. Even if some recorded supplications have weaker chains of transmission, as long as their meanings are good, there is no harm in occasionally reciting them. However, it is important to avoid extravagance, un-Islamic practices, and wrong attitudes such as feeling pride over the birth of a boy or sadness over the birth of a girl.
Incorporating the Sunnah of making dua into your child’s life from the very beginning strengthens faith and fosters a lasting spiritual connection with Allah. May Allah bless all our children, guide them to righteousness, and make them sources of joy and goodness for their families and the Ummah.
