In addition he asked for recitation of ayat al Kursi...

In addition he asked for recitation of ayat al Kursi, the final verses of Hashr, al Ikhlas, al Nas, and al Falaq to reach the child’s ears"[^1] In some traditions it is narrated: “The Holy Prophet himself recited the adhan and the iqamah in the ears of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn at their birth." Yes.

The Holy Prophet was aware that a child is not able to comprehend the meanings of adhan and iqamah recited into its ears, but the impact of the words which will be there on the mind of the new-born was not over looked. The Prophet was stressing on the point that these pious words would have salutary effect on the mind and spirit of the new arrival.

Perhaps, the Holy Prophet was intending to instruct the parents about the proper upbringing of their children, that they commence their task right from the birth of the child. When a thoughtful parent recites the adhan in his child’s ear, then he is proclaiming that he is attaching his child to the group of worshippers of Allah. The effects the child takes in its early days are not related to the sense of hearing only.

But, it can be said that whatever exposure the child’s other senses get will impact its mind and memory. For example, if a child witnesses any amoral act, although it may not understand the purport of the act, it will definitely have effect on its psyche. This is the reason the Holy Prophet has said: “If the child in the cradle is seeing, the man should refrain from copulating with his wife." [^2] [^1]: Mustadrak al-wasail,v2, p. 619 [^2]: Mustadrak al-wasail, v 2, p. 546 Previous…