When should a person name a child?

Several Ahadith indicate that it is desirable to name the child on the seventh day after birth, i.e. when the child is one week old. For example, Hazrat Samurah ibn Jundub Radiallahu Anhu narrated that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said, “ Every child is withheld in lieu of its Aqeeqah, slaughter should be made on its behalf on the seventh day, a name should be chosen and the child’s head should be shaved.”

Hazrat Aisha Radiallahu Anha also narrated that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam performed the Aqeeqah of both Hassan and Hussain Radiallahu Anhum on the seventh day after their birth, chose their names and ordered that their heads be shaved.

There are however, instances where Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam gave the name of a child before the seventh day. For instance, when the child of Abu Talhah Radiallahu Anhu was born, he was taken to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that very morning. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam did his Tahneek and gave him the name Abdullah.

Therefore, if a person names his child before the seventh day this will also be permissible.