Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As-Salaam Alaikum
In India after the child is born we need to provide the hospital with the desired name immediately as they require it for the Birth certificate, but we have to name the child after the Aqeeqa, can you provide more insight in this regard as to what we can do?
Jazaak Allah 

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Answer:

Name on seventh day

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2832 Narrated by Samurah ibn Jundub

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘A new-born is in pledge for its ‘aqiqah’, sacrifice is made for him/her on the seventh day, his/her head is shaved and he/she is given name.’

There is absolutely no harm if the parents or guardians choose or assign a name of their new-born baby immediately at birth; the wisdom behind the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws) to assign the name in a maximum period of seven days after the baby’s birth is so that the infant would have a name and an identity sooner rather than later, and not remain un-named for an extended period of time.

If the hospital or law of a particular country demands that the name of the new-born be assigned immediately after birth so that the legal papers may be processed, there is absolutely no harm and no restriction in Islam in assigning the new-born its name.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan