If the Baby is Born Early
Question :
My child was born in the seventh month in an unnatural delivery. Do all of the rulings of newborns apply to him?
Answer:
Yes, if a baby is born anytime after the fourth month, then he is most definitely alive, because the spirit is blown into him when four months are completed. So if he is born dead after that four months of being pregnant, he is washed, enshrouded, prayed upon, and buried in a Muslim graveyard. The people of knowledge say that he should also be named; so if it is known that he is a male, he should be given a male name, and a female name if it is known that the fetus is a female. If the fetus's sex cannot be determined, then it is given a name that is suitable to both, such as Hibatullah (Allah's gift) and the like. Hence Aqiqah is also performed because the dead baby will be resurrected on the day of Judgement.
Source:
Ibn 'Uthaimin
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 8 Pages 337-338
Share on WhatsApp