IN light of the upcoming amendments to the Employment Act, the Women’s Aid Organisation is calling for the introduction of at least seven days of paternity leave in the private sector, similar to the current practice in the public sector.
This news brings to mind the to-do list that Islam highly recommends to parents, especially fathers, in welcoming the newborn.
If paternity leave is granted to fathers working in the private sector, it will help Muslim fathers to play their roles according to the Sunnah (ways of Prophet Muhammad).
For Muslims, the first seven days after a child is born is very important, especially for the father. Other than to help out and be with his wife and their newborn baby, there are a few things that fathers need to do.
Although some of these responsibilities can be postponed, it is best to do them within seven days of the birth, following the Sunnah.
In Islam there is a to-do list with regard to the newborn: (i) saying the azan and iqamah to the baby; (ii) performing tahnik; (iii) shaving the baby’s head; (iv) giving a name to the baby; and, (v) performing the aqiqah.
The first thing a father needs to do is to say the azan and the iqamah to the newborn. While the azan is the call to prayer that we hear every day from the mosque, iqamah is the final call to prayer which is done more swiftly as it addresses those who are already in the mosque.
Normally, this takes place at the hospital. After the baby is cleaned, the father will carry the baby close to his chest and say the azan to the baby’s right ear and iqamah to the left ear.
By doing this it is hoped that the first thing the baby hears is the word of the supreme call which contains Allah’s magnificence and glory and the shahadah which represent his first step into Islam.
Secondly, fathers are recommended to perform the tahnik. It refers to the act of placing something sweet like chewed dates or honey inside the baby’s palate.
Normally, the honour of doing this is given to a pious and righteous man, in order to seek his blessing and in the hope that the baby grows up pious and righteous.
This man will chew the dates, put some of it on his fingertip, insert it in the baby’s mouth, and gently move his finger right and left, until the whole mouth is rubbed with the chewed dates.
It is believed that this act will strengthen the muscles in the baby’s mouth and thus enhance its suckling experience.
Thirdly, Islam recommends that the head of the newborn be shaved on the seventh day.
The hair is then weighed and the equivalent price in silver is to be identified and given away to the poor and needy.
Shaving the baby’s head will get rid of the weaker hair the child is born with and open up the pores so that stronger hair can grow.
Giving money to the poor and needy serves as a social function that reflects social solidarity and cooperation.
Fourthly, giving a name to the baby. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, once said, “You will be called at doomsday by your names, your father’s name, so choose nice names.”
Parents are advised to choose the most beautiful names, following the Prophet’s guidance.
Last but not least, aqiqah, which involves slaughtering a goat or a sheep for the newborn and sharing its meat with friends and family.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Aqiqah must be offered for every newly born child, to be slaughtered on his seventh day, and he is given a name, and has haircut”.
Although aqiqah is not obligatory, it has many benefits and Muslims are encouraged to perform it. It is a way of expressing gratitude to Allah for the blessing of having a child. It is also believed that aqiqah brings a child close to Allah soon after entering this world.
Furthermore, it is a cause for gathering family, friends and the community in welcoming the newborn.
No doubt aqiqah can be done later. It is highly recommended to do it on the seventh day as the Prophet did.
Apparently, many fatherhood responsibilities need to be carried out for a newborn, especially in the first seven days.
In that sense, the seven days’ paternity leave for the private sector is eagerly anticipated as Muslim fathers can follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad in welcoming the additional member of the family.
The writer is senior fellow, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia