Trimming the hair of the newborn instead of shaving it
4-10-2009 | IslamWeb
Question:
regarding the aqiqah, specifically the shaving of the newborns hair, is it permissible to simply buzz the hair rather than shave it all off completely?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
We previously clarified in Fatwa 90729 that shaving the hair of the newborn is recommended, not obligatory. Thus, it is permissible to leave it unshaven or trim, but it is undoubtedly preferable to follow the Sunnah. Furthermore, doctors mentioned health benefits in shaving the newborn's hair. Hence, it is clear that applying this Sunnah involves benefit in this life and in the Hereafter.
Similarly, we draw your attention on to the fact that it is an act of Sunnah to give in charity an amount of silver equal to the weight of this shaven hair. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib 
that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, slaughtered a sheep as ‘Aqeeqah on behalf of Al-Hasan and said: "O Faatimah, shave his head and give in charity silver equal to the weight of his hair." [At-Tirmithi]