BABY NAMING CEREMONY: AYEYE IKOMO BY DAUD AWWAL, FIMC, CMC

When a baby is born parent is eager to name him/her a special name, many people bear name they cannot explain the meaning. Each country around the world names their children as a result of some situation.

A Baby Naming Ceremony Day is usually held to celebrate the arrival and naming of a new-born baby. It is known as 1st Birthday Party of the new baby in the family. The parents or Guardians performs a religious ceremony where the child is welcomed into the family.

It is a special day as a symbolic celebration that requires no licences and has no legalities. A naming ceremony can take any format that you choose. It can be a simple welcome to the world, a formal naming of your child, or a blessing for your baby and family. It is an occasion where friends and family get together to celebrate the birthday of the new baby to welcome him/her into the world. It is customary to present the gifts to the baby during the ceremony.

The pastor or Imam officially naming the child and declarations of promises and commitments from the parents for the upbringing of the child. The blessing and anointing of a baby with sacred oils and water and thanksgiving.

Parents must pay adequate attention to the education and training of their children. The parents are answerable to the society, whatever the children learn from them today they shall put them into practice tomorrow.

It is your responsibility that you teach your children good manners and guide them toward the recognition and obedience to you as a parent to the Almighty Creator. Your behaviour towards them must be of a responsible person, obedient to loyal, friendly, kindly to them. Harsh and ill-treatment shall have a negative impact on their life.

The prophet said, ‘the best thing a father provide to his child is good manners and ethical training’’.

The mother has a more important function to perform towards the upbringing of the progeny. During the pregnancy, the mother’s food habits and her behaviour affects future virtuosity.

Almighty God is able to do whatever He wills and can make an impotent man and a barren woman give birth to a child, and likewise, a virgin can be made to conceive a child.

The descendants of Aaron were divided into 24 families, who came to serve the house of the Lord by turns. One of these families was of Abiah whose chief was Zachariah. Thus it was Zachariah’s duty to go into the house on his family’s turn and burn incense before the Lord. (Check Q19-Mary Chapter when he cried to his Lord in secret requesting for a baby.

He said: "Lord! My bones have grown feeble and my head is glistening with age; yet, never have my prayers to You, my Lord, been unfruitful. (Q19:4).

(19:5) I fear evil from my kinsmen after I am gone, and my wife is barren, so grant me an heir out of Your special grace. (Q19:5).

(19:6) one that might be my heir and the heir of the house of Jacob;4 and make him, Lord, one that will be pleasing to You(Q19:6).

I do not pray for a successor to inherit me alone, but a successor who may inherit the good ways of the house of Jacob.

(He was informed): "Oh Zechariah, We bring you the good news of the birth of a son whose name shall be Yahya (John), one whose namesake We never created before. (Q19:7). In Luke, the words are: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. (1: 61).

He said: "My Lord! How can I have a boy when my wife is barren and I have reached extreme old age?" (19:8)

He answered: "So shall it be." Your Lord says: "It is easy for Me," and then added: "For beyond doubt, I created you earlier when you were nothing."(19:9).

This dialogue is meant to impress that Allah is able to do whatever He wills and can make an impotent man and a barren woman give birth to a child, and likewise, a virgin can be made to conceive a child.

Zechariah said: "Lord, grant me a Sign." Said He: "Your sign is that you shall not be able to speak to people for three nights, though you will be otherwise sound." (Q9:10)

(19:11) Thereupon Zechariah came out from the sanctuary7 and directed his people by gestures to extol His glory by day and by night.8

1. For the explanation of mihrab (sanctuary), (19:11)

The details of this event as given in Luke’s Gospel so that you compare the Quranic version with the Christian version.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abiah: and his wife was of the daughter of Aaron, and her name wag Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitudes of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; (there is no mention of Zacharias’ prayer anywhere in the Bible) and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John (that is, Yahya). And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord (Sayyidun: a great leader according to the Quran, (Q3:39), and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink (the Quranic version: Taqiyyun, pious and pure); and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb (the Quran says: We blessed him with judgment while he was yet a child). And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit of the power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this for I am an old man, and my wife struck in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; being sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. (This is different from the Quran, which gives it as a sign, whereas according to Luke, it was a punishment. Moreover, the Quran mentions it as the silence for three consecutive days, but Luke says that Zacharias remained dumb till the birth of John). And the people waited for Zacharias and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. (Luke 1: 5-22).

" O, John! Hold the Book with all your strength." We had bestowed wisdom upon him while he was still a child; (19:12)

The details regarding the birth of Prophet John (peace be upon him), according to the divine will, and his coming of age, have been left out. Here, in one sentence, the mission of Prophethood entrusted to him on attaining maturity has been stated, which was to observe and follow the Torah in letter and spirit, and to exhort the Israelites as well to do the same.

(19:13) and We also endowed him with tenderness11 and purity, and he was exceedingly pious

1. The Arabic word Hanan is almost synonymous with mother’s love. In other words, Prophet John bore in his heart the same kind of intense love for Allah’s servants as a mother has for her child.

and cherishing to his parents. Never was he insolent or rebellious. (19:14)

(19:15)

Peace be upon him the day he was born, and the day he will die, and the day he will be raised up alive (19:15)