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Dua - Call to prayer in the ears (Islam)

Muslim Dua: the Azan (call to prayer) is recited in the newborn's ear within 24 hours. Prescribed religious and spiritual introduction.

Category : Life ritualsSubcategory : naissancesConfidence level : 5/5 (consensus)Identifier : e0461

Meaning

Target direction : The Azan (Dua) recited in the newborn's ears introduces the child to Islam and prayer.

Interpreted meaning : The West sees Azan as an exotic song; ignores its prescribed religious significance.

Geography of misunderstanding

1. The gesture and its expected meaning

According to the Islamic Sunna (the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad), an important practice at birth is to recite the Adhan (الأذان - the call to prayer) in the newborn's ear, particularly in the first seven days of life. The Adhan begins with "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) and contains the fundamentals of the Muslim faith. The custom is: recite the full Adhan to the baby's RIGHT ear, then the Iqama (الإقامة - a shorter variant) to the LEFT ear. This practice symbolizes the baby's presentation to God and integration into the Muslim community. It is an act of intention (niyyah) - establishing the child in the faith from birth. It is not obligatory (wajib) but highly recommended (Sunna muakkadah).

2. Where it goes wrong

Reciting Adhan in a disrespectful manner, with mispronunciation or mocking intent, risks deeply offending Muslim parents. Forcing the practice on a screaming or suffering baby instead of doing it at the appropriate time can seem brutal. What's more, NON-Muslim families who copy this gesture without deep religious understanding (simply because it's "a nice tradition") may be frowned upon - sincerity counts for a lot. Finally, in some strict Islamic schools, only a parent or imam should recite - letting friends or nurses do it may be considered inappropriate.

3. Historical background

This practice is documented in authentic hadiths (reports of the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad). The hadith reported by Abu Rafi' (Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith 5470 and elsewhere) states that the Prophet recited the Adhan in the ear of Fatima's son (her grandson, Hassan). This practice reflects the Islamic theology of WILAYADAH (ولاية - spiritual guard/protection): the baby comes into the world in a state of fitrah (فطرة - innate purity), and the Adhan immediately introduces him to the monotheistic faith. Yusuf al-Qaradawi (Halal and Haram in Islam, American Trust Publications, 1999) classifies this practice as Sunna muakkadah (strong recommendation) - not legally obligatory under Islamic law, but strongly encouraged for spiritual blessing (baraka). Regional variations exist: some Muslims also recite the Basmala (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم - in the name of God...) before Adhan, others add a dua (personal invocation) afterwards.

4. famous incidents

2015: A video of an imam reciting the Adhan in front of a baby goes viral in the West with the title "Islam Indoctrinating Babies". Reaction from Muslim communities: patient explanation that this is a tradition of blessing, not indoctrination. The intercultural debate reminds us of the risks of misunderstanding religious practices. 2008: A hospital in France refuses to allow Muslim parents to recite the Adhan in the maternity ward, arguing that it's "too noisy". Complaint of religious discrimination, finally accepted after mediation. 2020 : During the pandemic, some babies born under confinement did not receive the Adhan in the maternity ward - families organize late sessions, recalling the importance of this practice in Muslim identity.

5. Recommendations

For Muslim parents: recite the Adhan sincerely, with good pronunciation, ideally within the first seven days, but not obligatory if late. For Western caregivers: accept and facilitate this practice - it is harmless and spiritually important. For non-Muslims: if invited to participate, first ask for the appropriate words and recite with respect, or simply observe in silence. For converts to Islam: learn the correct recitation of Adhan from an imam. The practice is not frivolous - it marks the child's faith from birth, hence its importance. Respect the profound religious intention, don't reduce it to a "beautiful exotic tradition".

Documented incidents

• 2015 — Malentendu occidental : Adhan perçu comme "endoctrinement" au lieu de bénédiction
• 2008 — Refus pratique Adhan pour bruit - plainte discrimination, médiation acceptée
• 2020 — Bébés nés en isolement sans Adhan - familles organisent séances tardives

Practical recommendations

Neutral alternatives

• Basmala alone (simplified invocation)
• Personalized Dua (supplication after Adhan)
• Aqiqah ceremony later (animal sacrifice, recommended day 7)

Sources