Question: What is the Islamic ruling on giving the Adhan (call to prayer) in the ear of a newborn?
Answer: Giving the Adhan in the ear of a newborn at the time of birth is a recommended practice. It is mentioned in Tirmidhi:
"Ubaidullah bin Abi Rafi' narrated from his father that he said: 'I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) give the Adhan in the ear of Al-Hasan bin Ali when Fatimah gave birth to him.'" (Sunan Tirmidhi 1514)
Translation: Abu Rafi’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) give the Adhan in the ear of Al-Hasan bin Ali when Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) gave birth to him.
Tirmidhi has classified this Hadith as Hasan Sahih (good and authentic) and further states “al-amal alayh” meaning that Muslims act upon this Hadith. By this statement, Imam Tirmidhi indicates that there is a consensus among scholars or that all Muslims practice this. In this context, Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah have mercy on him) also wrote that there seems to be a consensus among Muslims on giving the Adhan. The commentator of Tirmidhi, Allama Mubarakpuri (may Allah have mercy on him), explained that Imam Tirmidhi’s statement “al-amal alayh” means that Muslims act upon the Hadith of Abu Rafi’ regarding giving the Adhan in the ear of a newborn. He further writes that if someone questions how Muslims act upon it despite it being weak due to the presence of Asim bin Ubaidullah in its chain, he would respond that although it is weak, it is strengthened by the Hadith of Husain bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated by Abu Ya’la al-Mawsili and Ibn al-Sunni. In summary, Mubarakpuri also leans towards the practice of giving the Adhan in the ear of a newborn. It is understood that the Adhan should be given in the right ear of the newborn at birth, but if someone does not do it, there is no harm. Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) also stated that giving the Adhan in the ear of a newborn is recommended by all scholars. If someone practices it, as supported by related Hadiths that strengthen each other, it is good, and if someone leaves it, there is no harm.
✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (may Allah preserve him)
❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫
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