A Baby is Born, but so is a Mother

Introduction

The birth of a child is among the greatest blessings a family can receive, truly a miracle bestowed by Allah, the Almighty. It is a moment of overwhelming joy and love, but also a moment that brings with it great responsibility and a test.

With the arrival of a newborn, parents are entrusted with a divine life-long amanah (a trust) not just to their baby but also to one another. They must prepare to nurture with care and compassion.

Islamic Responsibilities after Birth

In Islam, there are immediate spiritual and practical duties that accompany the birth of a child. These actions not only affirm the child’s identity as a Muslim but also root their existence in remembrance of Allah from the very beginning.

1. Tahneek

A Sunnah performed by the Prophet ﷺ, tahneek involves placing something sweet, such as a softened date, into the baby’s mouth. It symbolizes the sweetness of faith and offers both physical and spiritual blessings. Sahih Muslim 2144

2. Adhaan and Iqamah

It is recommended for the father (or a pious relative) to recite the adhaan in the newborn’s right ear and the iqamah in the left. This ensures the child’s first experience of the world is the remembrance of Allah and a declaration of Tawheed.

3. Naming the Child

A name should be given within the first seven days, ideally one with good meaning or connected to pious predecessors. Names of prophets, companions, or names that reflect servitude to Allah (e.g., Abdullah, Amina) are encouraged.

4. Aqiqah

The aqiqah is the act of sacrificing an animal as a form of gratitude. Two sheep or goats are offered for a boy and one for a girl, typically on the seventh day. It is also a way of protecting the child from harm through this act of devotion.

5. Shaving the Baby’s Head

The baby's hair is shaved on the seventh day, and its weight in silver is given in charity. This act promotes hygiene and is symbolic of starting life with purity.

6. Sadaqah

Along with shaving the hair, sadaqah (charity) is highly encouraged — it nurtures the child’s life with barakah and helps the family begin their journey with compassion and giving.

7. Circumcision (for boys)

Male circumcision is a recommended Sunnah and can be performed at any point before puberty, with many opting to do it in the early stages of life.

Turning our attention to the Mother

While the newborn rightfully receives much joy and attention, we mustn't overlook the one who has just endured the immense physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of childbirth: the mother.

As the whole family has witnessed in the preparations coming towards the new baby’s arrival, Pregnancy and Labour are no small feats. For nine months, the mother’s body is transformed, stretched, and tested. The mother's hormones drastically shift, mood changes, and their body becomes tired and trialed as it transforms into not just a physical sanctuary for the baby in their womb, but a spiritual one. Now, amidst all this, still having to keep up with the many demands of daily life, finally, the labour arrives, she experiences pain that the Prophet ﷺ described as one of the greatest a human can endure, Sunan Abi Dawood (3111), Ibn Majah (1665). All of this is indicative that society focuses on the baby should not come at the cost of forgetting the mother, who is in need of just as much care and attention, especially for the well-being of the newborn.

Understanding Nifas, Postpartum Recovery

The period after childbirth is known as Nifas — a designated time of purification and healing, both spiritual and physical. During this time, which usually lasts around 40 days (but can vary from woman to woman), the mother is not required to perform Salah or fast. This divine concession is a mercy from Allah, recognizing her need for rest and renewal.

It’s important to note:

A woman must not fast, even in Ramadan, during Nifas. She will make up those days later.
She may return to acts of worship once the bleeding stops, even if it's before 40 days.

Spiritual nourishment, such as dhikr, du’a, and listening to Qur’an, is highly recommended during this time.

The Physical & Emotional Toll

Every mother’s experience of postpartum recovery is unique, but many share common struggles. The body has undergone a transformation, and the healing process can be intense and, at times, overwhelming.

Physical Challenges May Include:

Vaginal stitches
C-section recovery (surgical pain, movement restrictions)
Fatigue and weakness due to blood loss or anemia
Constipation, bladder control issues, or piles
Perineal discomfort
Uterine cramps or infection
Hormonal shifts and hair loss

Emotional and Psychological Impact:

The baby blues: short-term emotional sensitivity or sadness in the first two weeks
Anxiety over parenting, body image, or health
Postpartum depression: a more severe and lasting condition that should be taken seriously
Feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, or guilt

Postpartum struggles are not a sign of weakness. Islam honors the role of the mother and elevates her status because of what she endures. The Prophet ﷺ repeatedly emphasized the mother’s right to respect, care, and love — her sacrifices are honored by Allah. Riyad as-Salihin 316

How Families can Support the New Mother

A healthy and supported mother makes for a peaceful home and a well-adjusted child. Family and community have a huge role to play. Whether you’re a husband, sister, daughter, or mother-in-law — this is your moment to serve and uplift her.

What You Can Do:

Help with domestic chores: Laundry, cooking, cleaning — lighten her load.
Let her rest: Sleep is crucial. Offer to care for the baby while she naps.
Offer nutritious meals: Healing requires proper food — wholesome, warm, iron-rich meals make a huge difference.
Limit visitors: As lovely as guests are, they can be exhausting. Always ask before coming.
Be patient and listen: She might cry. She might complain. Listen without judgement.
Reassure her: Let her know she’s doing a great job.
Respect her privacy: Don’t comment on her appearance or weight. She’s already dealing with enough.

Remember: good akhlaaq (character) is shown most through service, not speech. Islam teaches us to care for one another — especially in vulnerable times.

Burying the Placenta, Honouring the Mother

Burying the placenta is a deeply symbolic and spiritual in Islam; it is an expression of honor for what once nourished the child and a form of respect for the mother herself. As an extension of her body, the placenta should be treated with dignity, just like any other part of the human body. After childbirth, a mother is already physically and mentally exhausted; the responsibility of arranging for the placenta’s burial should be completed by the immediate family member’s (mehram) whilst keeping the mother informed.

Digging a clean, one-square-foot hole in a hygienic space, often in a garden/backyard. This process links the human body back to the earth, completing a cycle of life. The placenta will typically decompose in approximately 10 days, enriching the soil and reminding us of the cycle of life that Islam so beautifully acknowledges. In a world where birth has become increasingly clinical, this small act reconnects us to the fitrah (natural disposition) and brings barakah (blessing) into the new chapter of motherhood.

Please Note, if you do not request the placenta/after birth, you will not receive it and as a default it will be incinerated.

A Final Reflection

As a family and a community, we will succeed in nurturing strong, faithful homes if we return to the Sunnah, uphold compassion, and recognize the sacrifices each person makes — especially our mothers.

Let us make du’a that Allah grants ease and shifa to every mother, strengthens every family, and blesses every newborn with righteousness, health, and love. May we all remain steadfast upon the Straight Path and be safeguarded from what seeks to distract us.

References

Inspire the Mind. (n.d.). Maternal mental health: A South Asian community perspective. Inspire The Mind. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.inspirethemind.org/post/maternal-mental-health-a-south-asian-community-perspective

National Health Service (NHS). (n.d.). Your body after the birth. NHS. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/your-body/

SeekersGuidance. (n.d.). Should the placenta be buried after childbirth? SeekersGuidance. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/should-the-placenta-be-buried-after-childbirth/

Sahih Muslim 2144a. (n.d.). In Sahih Muslim. Sunnah.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://sunnah.com/muslim:2144a

Sunan Abi Dawood 3111. (n.d.). In Sunan Abi Dawood. Sunnah.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3111

Ibn Majah 1665. (n.d.). In Sunan Ibn Majah. Sunnah.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:1665

Riyad as-Salihin 316. (n.d.). In Riyad as-Salihin. Sunnah.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:316