Infographic
Baptism
● Baptism grants us access to the rest of the sacraments
● Water is a sign of the cleansing of our souls, everything needs water
● Baptism is necessary to enter into eternal life
● It allows us entry into the catholic church
● Baptism makes us adopted children of God and heirs to the kingdom of heaven
● When the water is poured or the person immersed, the celebrant of the Sacrament
declares: “I baptize you in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
We don’t do this simply as a sign or symbol of conversion – it is really the moment in
which a new life in Christ begins. The ceremony of Baptism also includes other signs:
anointing with oil (a sign of strength), the white garment (being clothed in Christ –
see Romans 13:12, 14), and the Baptismal Candle (the flame of faith). (L and ry, n.d.)
● A baptized person is called to take part in two big things: they are now part of the
body of Christ, and they are expected to love and serve God and others.
● Above all through the sacrament of baptism and the holy Eucharist, an inseparable
union comes about between Jesus Christ and Christians. The union is so strong that it
joins him and us like the head and members of a human body and makes us one.
(YouCat 2010 "Church, the Body of Christ" article 194 and article 126)
● By being baptized you are called to spread the word of God, hope and salvation of
the world, and to live as Christ did (BBC Bitesize, n.d)
● We are called to embrace a radical life of true love and charity (Catholic Daily
Reflections, 2020)
Baptism declares to the public that you are now a follower of Jesus. It's a public confession that you are now
part of the holy church, as the first step after salvation through faith and repentance Baptism is necessary to
enter the church and eternal life. By completing and taking part in Baptism the gates of heaven are opened and
this means you can rest in peace after death. Additionally, you need to get baptized to continue your faith
journey and to grant access to the other seven sacraments. When we complete baptism we are fixing the
broken relationship with God by following in Jesuses ways. God makes us his adopted sons and daughters. In
turn, he welcomes us are heirs to the kingdom of heaven.
When the water is poured or the person immersed, the celebrant of the Sacrament declares: “I
baptize you in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We don’t do this simply as a
sign or symbol of conversion – it is the moment in which a new life in Christ begins.
Through the sacred act of baptism, we reconcile our relationship with God by adhering to the
teachings of Jesus. As a result, God welcomes us with open arms and adopts us as his beloved
children, granting us the status of heirs to the kingdom of heaven.
Baptism is necessary to enter the church and eternal life. By completing and taking part in Baptism
the gates of heaven are opened and this means you can rest in peace after death. Additionally, you
need to get baptized to continue your faith journey and to grant access to the other seven
sacraments. Baptism and the Eucharist unite Christians with Jesus like the head and members of a
body, making us one.
Baptism is a public declaration of your commitment to follow Jesus and become a member of the
church. It is a step after confessing your faith and seeking repentance. Through baptism, you are
called to share God's message of love, hope, and salvation, and to live a life like Jesus. As believers,
we are called to a life of love and charity.
Baptism bibliography:
BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Describing the Catholic Church - The nature of the Church -
GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC. [online] Available at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zc668mn/revision/2. [Accessed 26 May
2023]
L, M. and ry (n.d.). YouCat: The Sacraments of Initiation – Mike Landry. [online]
Available at: https://mikeisthird.com/youcat-the-sacraments-of-initiation/.
Catholic Daily Reflections. (2020). The Greatest Commandment. [online] Available
at:
https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2020/10/24/the-greatest-commandment-2/
[Accessed 26 May 2023].
Kurowski, J. (2017). All baptized are called to be missionaries and disciples of
Christ. [online] The Compass. Available at:
https://www.thecompassnews.org/2017/10/baptized-called-missionaries-disciple
s-christ/ [Accessed 31 May 2023].
Aqeeqha
● Usually carried out on the seventh day, if that day falls on a friday the
following Saturday is acceptable. Anon, 2022
● An animal is sacrificed for the baby. One sheep (or other livestock) for a girl,
and two for a boy. There is no written reason behind this, we can only muse
the speculation behind this wisdom. It is not because boys are more important
than girls. In the Quara it says the spiritual value only in terms of rightness not
where you come from or whether or not you are a girl or boy (physical
characteristics) (Elias, 2018)
● The celebration is not an obligation but recommended
● If the ceremony is not done on the seventh day it is ok to do it on the
fourteenth. (Anon, 2022)
● The meat of the livestock is shared amongst friends and family or needy
members of the society
● Aqiqah is an Islamic ritual performed upon the birth of a child. This ceremony
expresses thankfulness to Allah S.W.T. for blessing the family with offspring.
In addition, the Aqiqah celebration is a Sunnah where the meat from the
sacrificed animal is shared with family, friends, and deprived members of the
community.
● The parents of the child are allowed to eat the meat of their baby Aqeeqah but
not alone.
● It’s considered Makruh (highly disliked) to serve the meat to non-muslims
when there are still needy Muslims in the community.
● It is considered Sunnah to give the midwife who helps in the childbirth process
a leg of the sacrificed livestock (mubarak, 2020)
● The child's head is shaved and weighed. That amount of silver or gold is given
to a preferably Muslim charity.
● By the child's head being shaved it is essential for their faith journey because
it purifies the newborn. The child should now stay faithful to the prophet
Muhammad and Allah.
● The purpose of the sacrifice of livestock is an act of thanksgiving and a way to
protect the child against adversity. The sacrifice can also be related to
Abraham and his story of the sacrificial ram in place of his son.
● The naming of the child on the seventh day is when the child can now assume
their own unique identity within the community. It is advised by the hadith for
the parents to pick a name wisely for that is the name the child shall be called
upon on the day of resurrection. It is essential to pick a name of faithfulness
and obedience as to please God. (www.drivehq.com, n.d.)
1. Goat:
At least 2 years old (366 days old)
2. Sheep:
At least 1 year old. (365 days old)
Aqueeqha bibliography:
Anon, (2022). Performing Aqiqah Rules in Islam for boy and girl. [online] Available
at:
https://bonyan.ngo/aqiqah-in-islam/#:~:text=Samra%20bin%20Jundub%20RA%20
reported [Accessed 26 May 2023].
Anon, (n.d.). Aqiqah – Saba Relief. [online] Available at:
https://sabarelief.org/religious-dues/aqiqah/#:~:text=Aqiqah%20is%20an%20Isla
mic%20ritual. [Accessed 26 May 2023]
Elias, A.A. (2018). Why two sheep for a boy and one for a girl? [online]
www.abuaminaelias.com. Available at:
https://www.abuaminaelias.com/why-two-sheep-for-a-boy-and-one-for-a-girl/.
[Accessed 26 May 2023].
islamchannel.tv. (n.d.). 6 Muslim baby traditions you should know about. [online]
Available at:
https://www.islamchannel.tv/blog-posts/6-muslim-baby-traditions-you-should-kn
ow-about [Accessed 26 May 2023].
Mubarak (2020). 17 Frequently Asked Questions About Aqiqah and Qurban.
[online] Aqiqah Centre. Available at:
https://aqiqahcentre.com/faq-aqiqah-and-qurban/#:~:text=The%20parents%20of
%20the%20child.
Anon, (2022). Performing Aqiqah Rules in Islam for boy and girl. [online] Available
at: https://bonyan.ngo/aqiqah-in-islam/. [Accessed 27 of May 2023]
www.drivehq.com. (n.d.). Birth Rituals in Islam. [online] Available at:
http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/csshaw/Ritual_01/Ritual_0110.html
Islamic Relief. (n.d.). Charity in Islam. [online] Available at:
https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/resources/knowledge-base/charity-in-islam/#:~:
text=The%20Qur. [Accessed 30 of May 2023]
