Do Muslims shave a baby's head after birth?

Yes, many Muslims do, as a sunnah on the seventh day. The Prophet ﷺ linked the baby's naming, head-shaving and aqiqah to the seventh day after birth, and he told Fatimah to give the weight of the baby's hair in silver as charity. It is recommended, not required, and safety for the baby comes first.

What the sunnah says

Samurah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said a boy is in pledge for his aqiqah: an animal is sacrificed for him on the seventh day, his head is shaved and he is given a name (Sunan Abi Dawud 2838). A similar report says he ordered naming the child on the seventh day, removing the harm from him, and the aqiqah, which includes removing his hair (Jami at-Tirmidhi 2832).

The aim is to remove the hair a baby is born with, as a fresh start, alongside thanking Allah. For the sacrifice itself, see What is an aqiqah?

Giving the weight of the hair in charity

Ali reported that the Prophet ﷺ told Fatimah, "Shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver as charity," when al-Hasan was born. Ali said that he weighed the hair and it came to about a dirham (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1519). Some scholars note that the chain of this report isn't fully connected, but many scholars still recommend the practice.

In practice, this means weighing the hair and giving the value of that weight in silver, in cash, to people in need. Because the weight is so small, the amount is usually small too. Many families simply give a little more, out of gratitude.

Boys and girls

The reports mention a boy, though the aqiqah and charity are generally taught for both children. Many scholars apply the shaving to girls too, while others limit it to boys. If this matters to you, ask your imam which view your school follows.

How to do it safely

Shave the whole head, not in patches. The Prophet ﷺ forbade qaza', shaving part of a child's head and leaving a part (Sahih al-Bukhari 5921).
Choose an experienced barber, or a relative who has done it before. A baby's scalp is thin and delicate.
Keep the baby comfortable, warm and fed beforehand, and keep it short.
Check with your doctor if your baby has eczema, cradle cap or very sensitive skin. If shaving isn't safe, ask your imam whether trimming the hair short is acceptable.
Bin or bury the hair in a respectful way, as you prefer. There is no fixed rule.

If it isn't possible

If the seventh day passes, many scholars allow it later. If you never do it, nothing is lost: none of these early sunnahs is needed for your baby to be a Muslim. If you're short on money, the shaving is free, and the charity can be small. See Should I do aqiqah if I can't afford it?

Shaving often comes alongside tahnik, rubbing a date on the baby's palate. See What is tahnik for a newborn?

Key points

Shaving the baby's head on the seventh day is a recommended sunnah.
The weight of the hair in silver is given as charity.
Shave the whole head, never in patches.
Keep the baby safe; ask your doctor and imam if unsure.

Tip: Keep a small envelope for the charity. Weigh the hair on a kitchen scale, then give the equivalent value to a trusted local charity on the same day.