Question: What is the significance of reciting the Adhan (call to prayer) and the Iqamah (second call to prayer) in the ear of a child upon reaching seven days of age? What is the benefit of this practice?
Answer: It has been mentioned in some Hadiths that the Adhan is to be recited in the right ear and the Iqamah in the left ear. However, the chain of narration for these Hadiths contains some weakness. Despite this, it is a practice among Muslims. Therefore, for anyone who observes this practice, there is no harm, and similarly, for anyone who does not observe it, there is no harm. The recitation of the Adhan in the right ear and the Iqamah in the left ear on the seventh day, along with naming the child, is considered preferable by a group of scholars.
In a Hadith narrated by At-Tirmidhi and deemed authentic, it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ would recite the Adhan in the right ear of a child. Another Hadith indicates that he would recite the Iqama in the left ear. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz and a group of scholars have stated that this practice benefits the child. It has been observed by a number of Muslims. Nevertheless, for anyone who omits this practice, there is no harm.
There is also a narration that the Prophet ﷺ named his son Ibrahim upon his birth, and it is not mentioned that he recited the Adhan in his right ear or the Iqamah in his left ear. This indicates flexibility in the matter. Therefore, for anyone who performs this practice, there is no harm, and it is a good action. Conversely, for anyone who does not perform it, there is no harm.
-by Shaikh Abdul Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz (Rahimahullah).
Saheehus-Seerah 