How are birth and childhood viewed in Islam? 61
In accordance with tradition, soon after birth the father of the child whispers the adhan (call to prayer) in the right ear of the newborn. This act signifies that the child has been born into a community centered around worship of the Creator.
Also in accordance with tradition, many Muslims perform a ritual known as aqiqah for newborns. The birth-hair of the newborn is shaved off to signify a new phase of life outside the womb. The aqiqah is usually performed on the seventh day after birth, though it may be done later. In addition, a goat or lamb is typically sacrificed for a feast of thanksgiving. During the feast, family and friends pray that God blesses the child with good health, happiness, and protects her or him from all physical harm and evil influences.
After birth or in early childhood, male children are circumcised in accordance with the Sunnah. The circumcision may be seen as a symbolic act, performed in homage to the great sacrifices to which Prophet Abraham and his son were committed. Circumcision may also reiterate Muslims' view of Islam as a continual message unfolded through history, since the practice is found among Jews, descendants of the followers of the earlier prophet Moses.
Circumcision is not obligatory upon adult converts, since it is not a strict requirement of Shari'ah.
In certain regions of the world, female circumcision is a cultural tradition, practiced by a small number of Christians, Muslims and tribal animists. Such practices violate the integrity of human beings and are contrary to the most basic teachings of Islam, and find no sanction in Islamic Law.
As for education, the Qur'an repeatedly reminds readers that "those who know" are not the same as "those who know not," and a hadith of Prophet Muhammad states that seeking knowledge is an obligation for both men and women. Consequently, most Muslim parents tend to be very involved in their children's education. Teachers are highly respected and are seen as allies in cultivating knowledge and in presenting positive role models for students. It is not uncommon to find Muslim parents helping their children learn their lessons, encouraging them to excel, and rewarding them for good grades. Even when children are performing well in their studies, many Muslim parents want to meet with teachers, and if their child is not performing up to standards, parents usually side with educators in trying to encourage students to improve.
Naturally, religious education is very important to Muslims. At an early age, children begin memorizing the short verses of the Qur'an, especially al-Fatihah, the opening chapter. In some Muslim cultures, around the age of four, a Bismillah ceremony is held to signify a child's readiness to begin learning to read the Qur'an in Arabic. This tradition, while not a part of the Sunnah, is very common among Muslims of the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia) and Central Asia. Some time later, when the child has completed his or her first full reading of the entire Qur'an, an Ameen ceremony is held. The Ameen, like the Bismillah event, is not a religious obligation and is a tradition among some Muslims meant to celebrate a child's reading of the Qur'an.
Also in accordance with tradition, many Muslims perform a ritual known as aqiqah for newborns. The birth-hair of the newborn is shaved off to signify a new phase of life outside the womb. The aqiqah is usually performed on the seventh day after birth, though it may be done later. In addition, a goat or lamb is typically sacrificed for a feast of thanksgiving. During the feast, family and friends pray that God blesses the child with good health, happiness, and protects her or him from all physical harm and evil influences.
After birth or in early childhood, male children are circumcised in accordance with the Sunnah. The circumcision may be seen as a symbolic act, performed in homage to the great sacrifices to which Prophet Abraham and his son were committed. Circumcision may also reiterate Muslims' view of Islam as a continual message unfolded through history, since the practice is found among Jews, descendants of the followers of the earlier prophet Moses.
Circumcision is not obligatory upon adult converts, since it is not a strict requirement of Shari'ah.
In certain regions of the world, female circumcision is a cultural tradition, practiced by a small number of Christians, Muslims and tribal animists. Such practices violate the integrity of human beings and are contrary to the most basic teachings of Islam, and find no sanction in Islamic Law.
As for education, the Qur'an repeatedly reminds readers that "those who know" are not the same as "those who know not," and a hadith of Prophet Muhammad states that seeking knowledge is an obligation for both men and women. Consequently, most Muslim parents tend to be very involved in their children's education. Teachers are highly respected and are seen as allies in cultivating knowledge and in presenting positive role models for students. It is not uncommon to find Muslim parents helping their children learn their lessons, encouraging them to excel, and rewarding them for good grades. Even when children are performing well in their studies, many Muslim parents want to meet with teachers, and if their child is not performing up to standards, parents usually side with educators in trying to encourage students to improve.
Naturally, religious education is very important to Muslims. At an early age, children begin memorizing the short verses of the Qur'an, especially al-Fatihah, the opening chapter. In some Muslim cultures, around the age of four, a Bismillah ceremony is held to signify a child's readiness to begin learning to read the Qur'an in Arabic. This tradition, while not a part of the Sunnah, is very common among Muslims of the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia) and Central Asia. Some time later, when the child has completed his or her first full reading of the entire Qur'an, an Ameen ceremony is held. The Ameen, like the Bismillah event, is not a religious obligation and is a tradition among some Muslims meant to celebrate a child's reading of the Qur'an.
