Whereas...

Whereas, it is clear in the Qur`an that the child is a creation of Allāh (SwT)  and He grants a boy to whomsoever He pleases and a girl to whomsoever He pleases.[^10] It is narrated that when Imām Zain al-°Abidīn  was given glad tidings of the birth of his child, he didn’t ask whether it was a boy or a girl, but rather first asked, is his creation ok?

Then, if told that the child was healthy and there was no defect in the creation, he recited: أَلْحَمْدُ لِلٌّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَخْلُقْ مِنِّي شَيْئاً مُشَوَّهاً. “Praise Be to Allāh (SwT) who did not create from me something disfigured.”[^11] It is narrated from the Prophet (S): “It is prosperous for the woman that her first child be a daughter.”[^12] It has been narrated that daughters are goodness and blessings and sons are favours.

One will be questioned about the favours given to them, whereas goodness and blessings will be increased.[^13] 2.

Recitation of Adhān and Iqāmah The Prophet (S) stated that whomever a child is born to, should recite Adhān in the right ear and Iqāmah in the left ear, as this is a protection from the evil of Satan.[^14] Additionally, in another tradition it is stated that the mid-wife or someone else should be told to recite the Iqāmah in the right ear so that the Jinn will never trouble the child, nor will it become mad.[^15] It is also narrated that the Prophet (S) ensured that Adhān and Iqāmah were recited in the ears of Imām Hasan (as) and Imām Husain (as), as well as Surat al-Fātiĥa, Ayat al-Kursī, the end of Surat al-Hashr, Surat al-Ikĥlāŝ, Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nās.[^16] 3.

Clothes of the child From traditions at the time of the birth of Imām Hasan (as) and Imām Husain (as), it is apparent that it is Makrūh to tie the child in yellow cloth just after birth; rather it is recommended to tie him/her in white cloth.[^17] 4. Ghusl It has been mentioned in Fiqh al-Riďā that one of the emphasized mustaĥab acts (some even call it obligatory) after the birth of a child is giving it a Ghusl.

One should make a intention that I am giving this child a Ghusl for the pleasure of Allāh (SwT), and then first wash the head, then the right side, and then the left side.[^18] However, it should be noted that this should only be done if it is medically safe and not harmful to the baby. 5. Shaving the hair [^19] This involves shaving of all the hair of the child (from in the womb) once after birth, and giving gold or silver according to the weight of the hair as ŝadaqah.

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