Azaan is the first call to prayer
for Muslims. It is first given when a child is born.
After the child is given a bath, an elderly member of the family or
neighbourhood, or the moulvi, is invited to recite the azaan. He recites
the azaan in the child's right ear and the Iqamat in the left ear.
For the Iqamat, the words Qad qamatissalah are recited twice at the
end, asking the person to stand up since prayer is about to begin.
The reason why the azaan is recited to the child is that as soon as he
is born, the first thing he should hear is God's name and the call for
His worship.
At this time, a tiny bit of a date chewed by the elder of the family or
community is placed in the child's mouth, signifying the hope that the
child would absorb the good qualities of the elder.
At the end of the recital of the azaan, sweets are distributed among
those present at the occasion.
The custom of reciting azaan to a newborn child was started by Prophet
Mohammed.
The azaan is also routinely given from mosques, as a general call for
Muslims to assemble for prayer.
