The childs feet must be washed at intervals and the body...

The childs feet must be washed at intervals and the body given massage with olive oil so that it doesnt develop a dry skin. After a few wettings, the child should be given a bath. This way the child can be prevented from many ailments. Such a child will also appear clean, tidy and attractive to the eyes of the beholders. The Prophet of Islam has said: Islam is the faith of purity. You must try to be pure and clean because only the clean can enter the Heaven.

[1] The Holy Prophet has also said: Clean the children from oily dirt because the Satan smells them and they get scary dreams and the Angels get agitated. [2] Circumcision of the male child is a mandatory Islamic custom. This is very important for the health and hygiene of the child. This operation will prevent the child against the possible infection of the male genital organ.

The circumcision can be postponed till the child grows up, but it is better to perform it within the first few days of the birth. Islam prescribes that the circumcision should be done on the seventh day of the birth of a male child. Imam Jafar e Sadiq says: Do the circumcision of your child on the seventh day of his birth. This is best for him. It is also beneficial for his proper growth and upbringing. Certainly, the earth abhors the urine of the person who has not been circumcised.

[3] The Holy Prophet says: The new born must be circumcised on the seventh day of its birth that he gets healthy growth and upbringing. [4] Tonsuring the baby on the seventh day is prescribed in [1] Majma al-Zawaid, Vol. 5, Page 132. [2] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 104, Page 95. [3] Wassail as-Shia, Vol. 15, Page 171. [4] Ibid., Page 175. Islam. An equivalent of the weight of the tonsured hair in gold or silver has to be given in charity.

On the same day as aqeeqa a fat tailed ram (dumba) is butchered and the meat distributed to the poor and needy. They can also be invited to partake of it in a feast. The aqeeqa is a good charity and will avert any evil in store for the child. The newborn is very delicate. It needs all the care and attention of the parents. The foundation of health and happiness, or otherwise, will be laid in early childhood. The responsibility for this is on the shoulders of the parents.

The parents, who are the cause of the child coming to the world, bear the responsibility to strive and bring it up as a robust, healthy human being. If the parents neglect this duty, they will be answerable for the consequences.