Questioner: that on the 7th day after the birth of a child, his or her hairs are shaved or shaven. What is the wisdom behind it?
Huzoor (rh): You see, it’s a message. It’s not a question of what is the wisdom of it. In fact, it is a symbol for delivering a message. In so many cultures, other than that of Islam, in so many religions, shaving of head indicates dedication of life. And there are many monks who shave their heads. There are many sadhus and other religious founders and leaders who shave their heads. There are many Buddhists who do the same. It’s a universal expression of dedication. So, Allah expects every Muslim child to be dedicated. And that is the message which is delivered to him. That is why you shave your head at Khana-e-Kaaba when you go for pilgrimage. During that pilgrimage, the same thing is repeated. There is no longer a child. So, that is a reminder of that earlier promise, a sort of promise, which is made to God, that we’ll bring up our children as having dedicated their lives for your sake. Whatever profession they may pursue, yet their ultimate aim would be to serve the cause of Islam. So, when they go to Hajj, this message is repeated again as a reminder. That is the significance of this.
