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Part 1:
The Islamic Concept of Birth
Introduction More
and more Muslims are living in non-Muslim societies each year, and consequently
more doctors and nurses will come across Muslim patients in the course of their
work. As a service to these medical professionals, this series will look
at some of the special beliefs and needs of the Muslim patient. It is our
hope that this information will help aid understanding, and open the door to
fruitful conversations between Muslim patients and their doctors. Birth
& the Call to Prayer The
practice of regular prayer is the most fundamental practice in Islam.
Muslim prayer, which is performed five times a day, can be performed almost
anywhere -- either individually or in congregation. The time of prayer is
announced by the Call to Prayer (adhan) which is called from the Muslim
place of worship (mosque/masjed). These beautiful words which call
the Muslim community to prayer five times a day are also the first words the
Muslim baby will hear. The father will recite these words to the baby
shortly after its birth. Circumcision Islam
prescribes male circumcision with the sole purpose of facilitating
cleanliness. The male child may be circumcised at any time which is
convenient without ceremony; however parents will probably want their son
circumcised before his trip home from the hospital. Breastfeeding The
Qur'an instructs that if a woman breastfeeds her children, their period of
weaning is two years. Muslim women are keen to
breastfeed, but may need assistance from a female nurse or lactation consultant
to ensure success. Parent-Child
Relations Among
Muslims children are very much loved and wanted, a precious gift and trust from
God. Although contraception is not prohibited, many couples have large
families by choice because they genuinely love and want several children.
Couples who are childless by choice are almost unheard of. The fondness of
Muslims of all nationalities for children is well known. Visitors Of
course new mothers traditionally get many happy visitors, but it is sometimes
useful to know that visiting in Islam possibly takes on a broader dimension in
that it is not limited to close friends and family. For the Muslim,
visiting and assisting the indisposed is a basic form of worship to bring one
closer to God. For this reason, the new Muslim mother will often have many
female visitors. Muslim
Dietary Customs Occasionally
misunderstandings occur when a Muslim calls down to the nurse's station to
inquire whether there is lard in a particular food item. As are people of
the Jewish faith, Muslims are prohibited from eating pork and its by-products
such as lard or gelatin. In addition to not eating pork, care must be
taken to avoid eating anything made with lard, gelatin, or other pork
by-products. Your understanding and assistance in this matter would be
greatly appreciated by your patient.
Next page > The Muslim Patient and Daily Prayers > Page
1, 2, 3, 4
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