This excerpt is taken from the book published by Maktaba Darussalam's Department of Compilation and Authorship Dictionary of Names and Rulings and Issues of Newborns.
If the father cannot be informed of the child's birth for any reason, then among the relatives and close ones, whoever finds out should give him the good news of the newborn and offer congratulations. On this occasion, prayers for the newborn's age, health, and prosperity should also be made.
Every Muslim should provide their brother with the opportunity for joy and happiness as soon as possible. Therefore, if Allah Almighty has blessed his house with the blessing of a child, he should be informed as soon as possible to double his happiness because numerous benefits are gained from this, such as:
◈ Feelings of maintaining kinship and establishing relationships arise.
◈ Relations and connections become strong and firm.
◈ Interaction and affection among each other increase.
◈ In the Muslim community, feelings of love, affection, and reverence are born, and the Islamic environment is filled with the fragrance of love and affection.
If the opportunity to give the good news is missed, then giving congratulations later is also recommended and praiseworthy. While giving congratulations, one should pray for their brother and the newborn.
✿ Proof of Giving Glad Tidings from the Holy Quran:
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has mentioned multiple times the giving of glad tidings at the time of birth for the guidance, education, and upbringing of the Muslim Ummah because as a result of this glad tidings and joyful news, numerous benefits are obtained. As we have explained, it leads to the growth and strengthening of social bonds and relationships. Allah Almighty said in the incident of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him):
﴿وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ بِالْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا سَلَامًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَامٌ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ. فَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ أَيْدِيَهُمْ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً ۚ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ . وَامْرَأَتُهُ قَائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبَ.﴾
And when Our angels came to Abraham with the good news, they said, "Peace!" He said, "Peace!" and hastened to bring a roasted calf. But they did not heed him. So Abraham felt apprehensive and was grieved because of their refusal, and they said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot." His wife stood nearby, and she smiled; so We gave her good tidings of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
Reference: (11-Hud:69 to 71)
Allah Almighty said about Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him):
﴿فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ﴾
(Prophet Zakariya prayed to Allah for offspring) Then the angels called to Zakariya while he was standing in prayer in the sanctuary, "Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of a boy named Yahya."
Reference: (3-Aal Imran:39)
Similarly, in another verse, Allah Almighty said:
﴿يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا﴾
"O Zakariya! We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be Yahya. We have not assigned this name to anyone before."
Reference: (19-Maryam:7)
✿ Historical Evidence:
Imam Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, says: "When the blessed birth of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, took place, Thuwaibah, who was a slave girl of the Prophet’s uncle Abu Lahab, informed Abu Lahab of the good news of his birth and said that tonight Allah has granted a son to your brother Abdullah. Overjoyed, he freed her as a result."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Marriage, Chapter: If your mothers, Hadith: 5101, suspended
✿ Evidence of Giving Congratulations:
Imam Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated in his book Tuhfat al-Mawdud from Abu Bakr bin Mundhir who said: We came to know an incident about Hazrat Hasan Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, that a man was sitting with him whose wife had given birth to a child. Another man came to meet Hazrat Hasan Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, and upon seeing the man already present, congratulated him saying, "Congratulations on a horseman." Hazrat Hasan Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: How do you know whether this child will grow up to be useful like a horse or will act like a donkey? (Will he be a horse rider or a donkey rider?) The man asked, then please guide me on how to offer congratulations. Hazrat Hasan Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Say this: "May Allah bless the gift He has bestowed upon you, grant it a long life, enable it to treat you well, and it is incumbent upon you to thank the Being who has blessed you with this favor."
Reference: Tuhfat al-Mawdud, p. 52
Note: There should be no distinction between masculine and feminine when giving good news or congratulations because the birth of every child is a cause of blessing.
All Muslims should implement the Prophetic Sunnah in their society so that their mutual bonds and relationships can be strengthened, and over time these relationships and Islamic ties continue to grow stronger. A wave of affection and love should spread in families and households. It should be an extremely important and attention-worthy matter for all Muslims to walk on the path of mutual love and affection so that national unity and collective life can be achieved, and they always live as brothers fearing Allah, united like a strong wall whose every part and component strengthens and supports one another.
