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Fatwa CenterSpeaking softly to a newborn child
Question
As-salaamu 3laikum. When we talk to our baby, like many people we use a special kind of soft, lighthearted voice which often makes other adults laugh. Sometimes we want to mention matters connected to religion with the baby to get him used to the mention of Allah or sometimes just because our religion affects everything that we talk about. Is it a problem when we use this voice? Jazaakum Allahu khairan
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.
There is nothing wrong with talking to a small child in a soft voice because this is appropriate for his age and has a greater affect on him. However, if this voice could lead to temptation, then it must be avoided in the presence of non-Mahram men, because women are prohibited from doing so in the presence of non-Mahram men. Allaah says (what means): {…then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech.} [Quran 33:32]
Ibn Katheer 
said in his interpretation of this verse: “Allaah commanded the wives of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to observe this conduct, and the women of the Muslim community at large are like them in this regard. As-Suddi and others said: "He means by that, softening one's words when speaking to men." Accordingly, Allaah said afterwards: {lest he in whose heart is disease}; i.e. unsoundness, {but speak with appropriate speech}. Ibn Zayd said: "A good word that is appropriate in goodness." This means that she should not address non-Mahram men in the same manner as she addresses her husband.” [End of quote]
As for mentioning Allaah in the presence of a newborn child, it is permitted, and this may help keep him quiet when he cries, as is known, but if what you mean is that you pronounce religious teachings to him, then this does not make any sense.
Allaah Knows best.
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