After performing Aqiqah, it is customary to offer prayers and express gratitude to Allah for the blessing of a healthy child. Parents often recite prayers for the child's well-being, asking Allah to protect the newborn, grant them a righteous life, and keep them on the straight path. It is also common to thank those who participated in or supported the Aqiqah ceremony, whether through their presence, gifts, or assistance. Additionally, some may offer a small speech or words of appreciation to family and friends, highlighting the significance of the occasion and sharing the joy of welcoming the new child into the community. The overall tone is one of thankfulness, blessings, and hope for the child's future.
Start with gratitude
The most natural words are the simplest ones: “Alhamdulillah.” After the sacrifice, the haircut and the meal, take a moment as a family to thank Allah for the baby. Many people say it quietly, others say it together at the end of the gathering.
Prayers for the baby
Parents often ask Allah to protect the newborn, to grant the child a righteous life and to keep them on the straight path. You do not need a script for this. A short prayer from the heart, in your own language or in Arabic, is enough.
What guests say to the parents
A well-known prayer reported from the early scholars means: “May Allah bless you in what He has given you, may you be grateful to the Giver, may the child grow to maturity, and may you be granted his goodness.” Guests also say simple things like “Barakallahu lakum” (may Allah bless you) and “Mubarak.”
What parents say to their guests
It is kind to thank everyone who helped: the cooks, the relatives who traveled, the imam, the friend who held the baby. “Jazakumullahu khayran” (may Allah reward you with goodness) is a common way to say it.
A short speech
If you want to say a few words, keep it short and warm: thank your guests for coming, share the baby's name and what it means, and ask for their prayers. It is a happy occasion, so the mood is relaxed and grateful.
For the haircut itself, there is nothing special to say. We do the shave, you hold your baby, and the family prays together.
A note: We are barbers, not religious scholars. Timing, the number of animals and the details of the head shave are understood a little differently between schools of thought and families, so please check with your imam about your own situation. Our job is the haircut, done gently and on time.