Yes, it is highly recommended (Sunnah) in Islam to shave a newborn's hair, usually on the seventh day, as part of the Aqiqah ceremony, symbolizing purity, removing harm from the womb, and giving charity equal to the hair's weight in silver, though it's not strictly obligatory, just very virtuous to follow the Prophet's practice.
The Answer :
It is Sunnah to shave the hair of the newborn (male or female).
There is no safe way to do it, because the hair is actually protecting the baby's incredibly delicate skin. Except in cases of severe facial hair (dark, coarse hair, such as a moustache or beard), it is never advisable to remove/shave any hair until at least puberty.
In Islam, a baby's hair should be shaved off on the seventh day from the baby's birth. It's sunnah, which means it's the tradition of our prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In another Hadith, reported by Abu Dawood, it states that 'The removal of harm is shaving the head.
After the sacrifice (The Aqiqah) for the newborn, the baby's head is shaved. It is not allowed to shave a part of the head and leave a part of it. The head of the child should be shaved completely. Then, it is recommended to perform circumcision on the baby- boy on the seventh day of their birth.
It is Sunnah for the father, or another trusted family member, to softly recite the Adhan in the newborn's right ear soon after birth. This ensures that the first words the baby hears are the call to worship, instilling the remembrance of Allah from the very beginning.
Hindus practice a variety of rituals from birth to death. Collectively these are known as saṃskāras, meaning rites of purification, and are believed to make the body pure and fit for worship. A boy's first haircut, known as choula or mundan, is one such samskara and is considered an event of great auspiciousness.
Sadaqah. £10 will cover the required value of the weight of the child's hair in silver. Around the globe, Islamic Relief is a lifeline for those in need.
The animals that are permissible for Aqiqah are sheep, goats, cows, and camels. The animal must be healthy, free from any defects, and of a certain age. For sheep and goats, the animal must be at least one year old. For cows, it must be at least two years old, and for camels, it must be at least five years old.
Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.
It depends on how quickly their hair grows and of course, your personal preference. Babies born with a lot of hair that grows quickly and starts getting in their eyes may need their first cut in their first year. Others who don't have hair so quickly may not need their first cut until the age of about 2 years.
Cutting a baby's hair before they turn one is not necessary or mandatory unless there are certain pressing reasons. For example, you can trim a baby's hair if it is growing rapidly and obstructing the baby's vision. If hair causes skin irritation or infection, then it becomes necessary to cut or trim baby hair.
Chudakarana (Muṇḍana Ceremony)
It serves to purify the child from past life impurities and symbolizes removal of undesirable traits, offering hair to the divine as a sign of detachment and renewal. This ceremony is considered one of the sixteen major Hindu samskaras (rites of passage).
Summary of answer
It is not permitted for a woman to shave her head except in cases of necessity because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade women to shave their heads.
Every baby is held in pledge up to his aqiqah. So, on his seventh day, sacrifice should be made on his behalf, his head should be shaved, and he should be given a name.
Another factor to consider is the 'wriggliness' of your child and whether they can hold themselves upright. If they can't sit still, you may want to wait a little longer. All considered, some parents go for an initial cut within the first year, whereas others wait until 18 months or longer!
Traditionally, the Sunnah of the prophet (saw) is that one animal is sacrificed upon the birth of a baby girl, and two animals are sacrificed for the birth of a baby boy.
It symbolizes the removal of impurities and the beginning of a new, fresh start for the baby. The hair that is shaved off is considered to be the remnants of the time spent in the womb, and by removing it, the child is said to enter the world in a state of spiritual and physical cleanliness.
Mundan is traditionally considered necessary after cremation and after Asthi Visarjan, particularly for the eldest son. If Son is not elder, than he can choose not to shave his head. However, customs vary across regions and sects, and some families choose alternative practices.
What religions prevent you from cutting your hair? Religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Rastafarianism, and Sikhism all prohibit haircuts, the removal of facial hair, or a combination of the two due to beliefs that hair is sacred or a gift from God.
The 7-7-7 rule in Islamic parenting divides a child's upbringing into three seven-year stages: the first 7 years (0-7) are for play and love, fostering a secure bond; the second 7 years (7-14) are for teaching and discipline, introducing Islamic guidance; and the third 7 years (14-21) shift to treating them as a friend and advisor, preparing them for adulthood. This framework, rooted in Hadith and teachings of Imam Ali, emphasizes a gradual shift from nurturing play to disciplined learning, and finally to a friendship, guiding parents to adapt their approach as the child matures.
Nifas refers to “post-natal bleeding.” Women are excused from performing regular tasks like praying and fasting during this time until the bleeding stops or when 40 days have passed.
The hardest week with a newborn is often considered the first six weeks, especially weeks 2-3, due to extreme sleep deprivation, constant feeding demands, learning baby's cues, postpartum recovery, and a peak in inconsolable crying (the "witching hour"), making parents feel overwhelmed as they adjust to a new, exhausting routine. While the first week is tough, the challenges often intensify as the baby becomes more alert but still fussy, with major developmental hurdles like cluster feeding and increased fussiness peaking around 6-8 weeks.