When to name a newborn

Q 3: What is the best day for naming a newborn? Should it be directly after its birth or on the seventh day? Is it permissible to celebrate this day (the seventh day) with friends, neighbors and loved ones?

A: As for the time of naming the newborn, the matter is flexible in this regard. It can either be named on the day it is born or on the seventh day, and there are several reports indicating this. It was related by (Part No. 11; Page No. 450)  Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their two Sahih (Authentic books of Hadith) from the Hadith narrated by Sahl Ibn Sa`d Al-Sa`idy who said: When Al-Mundhir ibn Abu Usayd was born, he was brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him) who placed him on his thigh. While Abu Usayd was sitting there, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was busy with something in his hands so Abu Usayd told someone to take his son from the Prophet (peace be upon him). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished his job (with which he was busy), he said, "Where is the boy?" Abu Usayd replied, "We have sent him home." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "What is his name?" Abu Usayd said, "(His name is) so-and-so. " The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No, his name is Al-Mundhir." It was also related in Sahih Muslim from the Hadith narrated by Sulayman ibn Al-Mughirah on the authority of Thabit on the authority of Anas that he said: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: A child was born to me this night and I named him after my father Ibrahim [i.e. his ancestor prophet Ibrahim. Ed.]. It was related by Ahmad and Ahl-ul-Sunan (authors of Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) on the authority of Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated A child is pledged at its `Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn) where there is a sacrificial animal offered [to Allah on behalf of the child] on the seventh day. The child is to be named this day and it's head is to be shaved Al-Tirmidhy said that this Hadith is Hasan (a Hadith whose Sanad contains a narrator with weak exactitude, but is free from eccentricity or blemish) or Sahih (a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.