More of this Feature • Part 2: Prayers • Part 3: Dietary Customs • Part 4: Illness & Death

Related Resources • Islamic Law • Elder Care • Basics of Islam

From Other Guides • Nursing • Death and Dying • Alternative Medicine • Men's Health • Women's Health

Elsewhere on the Web • For Health Care Providers • Medical Treatment in Islam • Health: An Islamic Perspective • Death & Dying in Islam

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