Pronouncing of the Athaan and Iqamah on a new born baby

The pronouncing of the Azaan and the Iqaamah in the ears of the newborn child Q. Is the pronouncing of the Azaan in the newborn’s right ear and the Iqaamah it’s left, to be done on the seventh day after it’s birth or on the first? Or when is this to be done? May Allaah bless you.

A. Firstly, we must ask, are these matters legislated or not? For the Ahadeeth concerning this are not strong, especially in regards to the Iqaamah. Those who have authenticated these Ahadeeth say: “It is to be done at the birth of the child as is mentioned in the Ahadeeth. The wisdom behind this is that the first thing he will hear is the Azaan which consists of the exaltation of Allaah, the affirmation of His oneness, the call to prayer and success.”

This is the opinion of it being at birth. As for naming the child, if a name was chosen for him before birth, then he is named at birth, because the Prophet (saw) entered upon his family one day and said: “Birth was given this night to a son of mine and I have named him by the name of his father Ibraaheem.”

Whereas if his name is not selected until after birth, then it is better to name him on the seventh day, because that is the day his Aqeeqah is sacrificed, and if the child is a male his head is shaved.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaimeen [Liqaa al­Baab al­Maftooh: al­Liqaa:60]