Chapter 6

Pregnancy
The Creation of a Child According to the Quran
In several verses of the Noble Quran, Allh (swt) has mentioned the creation and stages
of transformation of the child. It is by observing this miracle that one inevitably desires to
than and revere !im, the best of "reators.
In #urat al$%umin&n, verses '($'), !e states*
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Certainly We created the human being from an extract of clay. Then We made him a
drop of (seminal) fluid (lodged) in a secure abode. Then We created the drop of fluid
as a clinging mass. Then We created the clinging mass as a fleshy tissue. Then We
created the fleshy tissue as bones. Them We clothed the bones with flesh. Then We
produced him as (yet) another creature. So blessed is ll!h (swt)" the best of creators#$
In the verses above, Allh (swt) mentions + stages of creation*
#tage '* ,he human being initially starts off as clay- in other words, the inorganic
constituents of the earth are absorbed into living matter by way of food.
#tage (* .iving matter re/roduces itself by means of s/erm- thus the human is then made
into a seed (the seminal fluid), and /laced in a firm resting /lace (the ovum of a mother).
#tage 0* ,he first change in the fertilised ovum is the conversion into a sort of clot of
thicly congealed blood, or clinging mass.
#tage )* ,he 1ygote cells grow by segmentation- then the mass gradually assumes sha/e
in its growth as a foetus (a lum/ of fleshy tissue).
#tage 2* 3rom this develo/s bones.
#tage 4* 3lesh now grows on the bones, as do organs and a nervous system.
#tage +* #o far the develo/ment of an infant human is lie that of an animal. !owever, a
ma5or ste/ is now taen and the foetus becomes a com/lete human. ,his is the breathing
of Allh (swt)s s/irit into him. (,his may not be at a s/ecific time- rather it may be
/arallel to that of /hysical growth.)
6n the sub5ect of the creation of the foetus, it is narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 8,he seed
in the womb of the mother (taes) )9 days to become a clot, then after )9 days it becomes
a lum/ of flesh (foetus)- when the child is ) months old, by the command of Allh (swt),
( Angels give the foetus a s/irit (r&h) and s/ecify the sustenance (:i1;), /eriod of living,
deeds (A<ml), /ros/erity and adversity of the child.=>(09?
It is /erha/s for this reason that it has been suggested that es/ecially after the )9th day of
intercourse, one should be e@tra careful when /re/aring food. ,he food must be ritually
clean and hall as this will have an im/act on the child.>(0'?
Imm as$#di; (as) also described the /rocess of creation as follows* 8After the
com/letion of the materials of the body, Allh (swt) sends two Angels who have the duty
of the creation of the child, and by the /ermission of Allh (swt), they create the ears and
eyes and all the inner and outer organs (limbs) of the body.=>(0(?
In Imm !usains (as) Aua of <Araft, he refers to the /rocess of creation and attem/ts
to count the blessings bestowed by Allh (swt) in the following manner*
8Bou originated me by Bour blessing before I was a thing remembered.
Bou created me from dust,
then gave me a /lace in the loins (of my fathers),
secure from the uncertainty of 3ate and the vagaries of
the ages and the years.
I remained a traveller from loin to womb in a time
immemorial of /ast days
and bygone centuries.
In Bour tenderness, bounty and goodness toward me Bou
did not send me out into the em/ire of the
leaders of disbelief, those who broe Bour
covenant and cried lies to Bour messengers.
:ather, Bou sent me out to that guidance which had
been foreordained for me, the way which
Bou made easy for me
and in which Bou Nurtured me.
And before that Bou wert ind to me through Bour
gracious fashioning
and abundant blessings.
Bou originated my creation from a s/erm$dro/ s/illed
and madest me to dwell in a threefold gloom among flesh,
blood and sin.
Bou gave me not to witness my creation,
nor didst Bou entrust me with anything of my own affair.
,hen Bou sent me out into the world for the guidance
that had been foredained for me, com/lete
and unim/aired.=>(00?
Imm Cain al$AbidDn (as) in his Au< after #alt al$.ail in Sahfah Sajjdiya also
mentions this ama1ing /eriod of the foetus and of breastfeeding. !e thans Allh (swt)
and e@/resses his ama1ement at how Allh (swt) created such a beautiful creation from a
few seeds.
86 Eod,
Bou caused me to descend as mean water
from loins of narrow bones and tight /assages
into a constricted womb
which Bou hadst covered with veils-
Bou turned me about from state to state
until Bou too me to the com/letion of the form
and fi@ed within me the bodily /arts,
as Bou hast described in Bour Foo*
a dro/,
then a clot,
then a tissue,
then bones,
then Bou garmented the bones with flesh,
then Bou /roduced me as another creature
as Bou willed.

,hen, when I needed Bour /rovision,
and could not do without the aid of Bour bounty,
,hou a//ointed for me a nourishment
from the bounty of the food and drin
which Bou bestowed u/on Bour handmaid
in whose belly Bou gavest me to rest
and in the lodging of whose womb
Bou de/osited me.

!adst Bou entrusted me in those states, my .ord,
to my own force
or driven me to have recourse to my own strength,
force would have been removed from me
and strength taen far away.

#o Bou fed me through Bour bounty
with the food of the Eood, the Eentle-
Bou hast done that for me in graciousness toward me
u/ to this my /resent /oint.
I do not lac Bour goodness,
nor does Bour benefaction ee/ me waiting.
Bet with all that,
my trust has not become firm enough
that I might free myself
for that which is more favoured by Bou.=>(0)?
In a !adith al$Qudsi, Allh (swt) addresses the ungrateful man and says* 86h, #on of
AdamG Bou have not acted 5ustly with meG I made your weight light on your motherG
After that I made the /ath of your deliverance from a tight and dar /lace smooth (and
tolerable). Hhen you /laced a foot in the world outside the womb, I saw that you dont
have teeth to eat food- I /laced breasts full of mil in the warm bosom of (your) mother. I
made the heart of your mother merciful towards you, and the heart of your father
affectionate, such that they tae /ains to give you food, and do not slee/ until they mae
you slee/.
6h, #on of AdamG All these favours were not because you ased it from me, nor that I
needed you. And when the state of your /hysical constitution was ready, and your teeth
grew, I made you en5oy (and benefit from) (different) ty/es of foods and fruits of the
summer and winter. !oweverG Aes/ite all this indness, after you did not recognise me
(as your "reator and #ustainer), you disobeyed me.=>(02?
Importance of Motherhood and Pregnancy
,he 7ro/het %uhammad (s) has said that* 87aradise is under the feet of the
mother.=>(04?
Allh (swt) states in the Noble Quran, in #urat al$3tir, Ierse ''*
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nd no female concei%es or deli%ers except with &is 'nowledge.$
It is also narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 8If it is decided that Allh (swt) will mae a child
be born, !e will mae him in whatever sha/e he lies.=>(0+?
,his shows us that child$bearing is a direct blessing from Allh (swt) and one that must
be shown continuous gratitude for. Indeed, the /resence of a child has been liened to the
fruit of a tree, which brings a man and woman closer to each other.
As for mothers, Islam has made for them a beautiful world, in which everyone must
res/ect and revere them. Allh (swt) recogni1es and mentions the difficulties borne by
mothers*
In #urat .u;mn, Ierse '), !e states*
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&is mother carried him through wea'ness upon wea'ness.$
In #urat al$Ah;f, Ierse '2, !e states*
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&is mother has carried him in tra%ail" and bore him in tra%ail.$
Indeed, the status of mothers is even higher than fathers as demonstrated by the following
traditions*
A man came to the 7ro/het (s) and said to him, 86 %essenger of Allah, to whom should I
do goodJ= ,he 7ro/het (s) said, 8Bour mother.= (#o) the man said, 8And then to whom
should I do goodJ= ,he 7ro/het (s) said, 8Bour mother.= (,hen) the man said, 8And then
to whome should I do goodJ= ,he 7ro/het (s) said, 8Bour mother.= (,hen) the man
ased, 8After that, to whome should I do goodJ= ,he 7ro/het (s) said, 8,o your
father.=>(0K?
It is also narrated that the 7ro/het (s) was ased, 8Hhich of the /arents have a higher
statusJ= ,he 7ro/het (s) re/lied, 8,he one who for nine months e/t you between her two
sides (stomach), and then brought you into this world and gave you mil from her
breasts.=>(0L?
,here are many traditions about the signifance of /regnant and breastfeeding mothers,
some of which will be narrated below. !owever, it should be e/t in mind that these go
side by side with the res/onsibilities that should be carried out to the best of ones
abilities. ,hese res/onsibilities are naturally /resent when one has the intention of
reaching high stations of Ahl; and nearness to Allh (swt) and desires to wor towards
this virtuous goal. (,hese will be discussed in more detail in the ne@t section)
a. It is narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 8,he reward of a woman, from the time of
/regnancy until birth and breastfeeding, is the same as the reward of one on the /ath of
Allh (swt), and if a woman leaves this world during that time because of the hardshi/
and /ains of birth, she has the reward of a martyr (shahid).=>()9?
b. It is narrated from Imm as$#di; (as)* 8Any time a woman leaves this world because
of labour /ains, on the Aay of Mudgement, Allh (swt) will raise her from the grave /ure
and without an account (of sins), because such a woman has given her life due to the
hardshi/ and /ain of labour .=>()'?
c. It is also narrated from Imm as$#di; (as)* 8Nvery time a woman becomes /regnant,
during the whole /eriod of /regnancy she has the status of one who fasts, one who
worshi/s during the night, and one who fights for Allh (swt) with her life and
/ossessions. And when she is giving birth, Allh (swt) grants her so much reward that
nobody nows its limit because of its greatness. And when she is giving mil to her child,
for every suc of the child, Allh (swt) gives her the reward of freeing a slave from the
children of IsmDl, and when the /eriod of breastfeeding the child is finished, one of the
great angels of Allh (swt) ta/s her side and says* 8#tart your deeds afresh, for Allh
(swt) has forgiven all your minor sins.=>()(?
d. At the time of the 7ro/het (s), a man was doing tawaf (of the Noble Oa<bah) while
carrying his mother on his shoulders. Hhen he saw the 7ro/het (s), he ased, 8Fy doing
this, have I re/aid the rights of my motherJ= ,o this the 7ro/het (s) re/lied, 8No, you
havent even re/aid one of her cries during the time of giving birth.=>()0?
e. A man came to the 7ro/het (s) and ased, 8I have an old mother who because of old
age is not able to move. I carry her on my shoulder and /ut bites of food in her mouth and
clean her. !ave I re/aid her rightsJ= ,o this the 7ro/het (s) re/lied, 8No, because her
stomach was your /lace, and during that entire time, she desired your life.=>())?
f. It is narrated from Imm Cain al$AbidDn (as)* 8,he right of your mother is that you
now that she carried you where no one carries anyone. #he gave to you of the fruit of
her heart that which no one gives to anyone, and she /rotected you with all her organs.
#he did not care if she went hungry as long as you ate, if she was thirsty as long as you
dran, if she was naed as long as you were clothed, if she was in the sun as long as you
were in the shade. #he gave u/ slee/ for your sae. #he /rotected you from heat and cold,
all in order that you might belong to her. Bou will not be able to show her gratitude,
unless Eod hel/s and gives you success.=>()2?
,he above traditions should give ho/e to /regnant women, who inevitably will face one
difficulty or another during this time. At times of difficulty, one should now that Allh
(swt) has /rovided women with both the ca/ability and the desire to bear children, for as
Imm as$#di; (as) narrates* 8Allh (swt) has given every woman the /atience of '9
men, and during /regnancy Allh (swt) grants her the ability of '9 more men.=>()4?
Responsibilities during Pregnancy
.ie the conce/tion /eriod, and even more so, the thoughts and actions of the mother
have an im/act on the Ahl;, actions and faith of the unborn child, as the child is lie an
organ of the mother and obtains all the necessary factors of develo/ment from her.
,he 7ro/het (s) has stated that the /ros/erity and adversity of a child is determined in the
mothers stomach.>()+? In another tradition, Imm <AlD (as) too, has said that in terms of
Ahl;, nature and religiousness, a child is made by the mother and obtains hisPher
dis/osition from her Ahl;.>()K? ,hus it is the res/onsibility of the mother that she
creates the best /ossible environment for the first home of the child.
,he constant care and attention of the mother that all thoughts and actions are in
accordance with the teachings of Islam and the Ahlul Fayt (as), is necessary and highly
em/hasi1ed. ,his is es/ecially im/ortant because the child is not only a member of the
family, but a member of the society and can be a source of blessings and benefit. 3or it is
through this manner, that the esteemed and noble #aints and scholars have come into this
world and made an im/act not only in their societies, but also in the history of the world.
mentions the /urity of two noble 7ro/het (s)s, Bahy bin Caariya (as) and <Is bin
%aryam (as), from the day of their birth*
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(eace be to him" the day he was born" and the day he dies" and the day he is raised
ali%e#$>()L?
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(eace is to me the day ) was born" and the day ) die" and he day ) am raised
ali%e.$>(29?
.iewise in the Ciyrat of Hritha, we bear witness to the /urity of Imm !usain (as)* 8I
bear witness that, verily, you were a light in the sublime loins, and /urified wombs- the
im/urities of ignorance did not (even) touch you, nor its soiled and dirty bearings could
ever smear you.=
,he father /lays an im/ortant role in hel/ing the mother maintain a healthy s/irit and
develo/ment, by su//orting her and hel/ing her in every way. Fy being informed and
understanding about the changes the mother will undergo, as well as her /hysical,
emotional and mental needs, he can hel/ create the warm and loving atmos/here at home
that is essential for the /ositive develo/ment of the child.
,he following incident clearly highlights the im/ortance of the actions of the mother and
father during the /eriod of /regnancy*
a. Hhen <Allmah %a5lisi (the com/iler of Fihr al$Anwr) was a child, he went with his
father to a mos;ue in Isfahan. Hhile his father went to /ray, he remained in the
courtyard, /laying. Hhen his father came out, he saw that his son had /oed a needle into
a water sin full of water that belonged to the mos;ue, and all the water had s/illed out.
,he father was very u/set and when he reached home, he narrated the incident to his wife
and said that this act must be a conse;uence of something we did. !e continued saying
that however much he thought of his actions before conce/tion, during conce/tion, hall
intae and all other /ossibilities, he could not thin of a /ossible cause, and ased his
wife to thin on it as well.
After doing this, the wife re/lied that I cant thin of any thing e@ce/t one incident. 6ne
day while I was /regnant with him, I went to a neighbours house and saw a /omegranate
tree. I made a /ric in one of the /omegranates and suced a little bit of 5uice. It was this
one small act that led to the later incident that too /lace with her son.>(2'?
%ay Allh (swt) grant all mothers the tawfD; (Aivine o//ortunity) to be able to carry out
their res/onsibilities to the best of their abilities, and thus be able to a//ly the following
tradition of Imm as$#di; (as) to their children* 8Elad is the one whose mother
/ossesses the /recious gem of chastity and /ure thoughts.=>(2(?
Recommended oods
,he food of a foetus is obtained from the blood of the mother and so most of what the
mother eats and drins eventually reaches the child in one form or another.
It is narrated from Imm <AlD (as)* 8Allh (swt) has tra//ed the blood in the stomach of
the mother, so that it becomes the sustenance of the child.=>(20?
It is also narrated from Imm as$#di; (as)* 8Hhatever the mother eats, drins or
breathes during /regnancy, Allh (swt) also allots it to the child.=>(2)?
It is therefore again, as with conce/tion, very im/ortant that the mother taes care with
the food that she eats. About harm intae and harm food in /articular, it is narrated
from Imm as$#di; (as) that 8,he effects of harm earnings become a//arent in the
offs/ring of a /erson.=>(22?
In another tradition it is narrated from Imm al$F;ir (as)* 8All sins are grave, and the
gravest of them is that of which blood and meat grows on (i.e. harm intae).=>(24?
It is recommended to eat the following foods during /regnancy*
!" #reast of animal meat
a. Is very useful for /regnant women and maes the newborn child beautiful and strong.
>(2+?
$" Chicory%$&'(
a. Is good for the increase (in si1e) of a child.
b. Increases the water around the waist, maes the child good and increases the
masculinity of a male child.
c. Is a cause of beauty of the child.
d. Nating a lot is a cause of increase of wealth, and a male child.
"hicory is also good medicine for the liver.

)" *ates
a. It is a//arent from traditions that the best food and medicine for a /regnant woman is
dates.>(2L?
b. It is narrated from Imm <AlD (as)* 8No food is better for a /regnant woman than fresh
dates.=>(49?
c. It is narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 83or /regnant women, es/ecially when giving birth,
the best food is dates, because Allh (swt) has sworn by its greatness and glory. And if
women use ratb (a ty/e of fresh dates) in these days, their newborn children, whether son
or daughter, will be forbearing and /atient.=>(4'?
d. It is narrated from Imm as$#di; (as)* 8If one eats a//le, her child will be beautiful,
and if one eats s;uash, the memory of both the woman and child will increase, and eating
ratb (a ty/e of fresh dates) and dates strengthens the body.=>(4(?
N6,N* It has also been narrated from Imm as$#di; (as) that one should smell an a//le
before eating it.>(40?
e. Aates are nown as the fruits of /aradise and were the fruit of choice of the 7ro/het
(s). ,hey have also been mentioned in the Noble Quran.>(4)?
Aates contain thirteen elements of vital im/ortance, and five ty/es of vitamins, maing it
a rich food. ,he calcium in dates is essential for firming bones, the /hos/horus for
forming the brain and /reventing weaness of the nerves and tiredness, and the /otassium
for /reventing woundsPsores in the stomach.>(42?
+" ig%$,,(
a. !as been mentioned and sworn u/on in the Quran.>(4+?
b. Nat it dry, as this increases the strength of se@ual intercourse and /revents /iles.
c. Nating it /revents colic.>(4K?
d. It is narrated from Imm al$:id (as) that figs remove bad smells from the mouth,
mae the bones firm, cause hair to grow and /revent illnesses.
e. It is not recommended for those with Aiabetes %ellitus, stomach or intestine disorders,
or overweight /eo/le. 6vereating also causes /roblems for the stomach and eyes-
however, eating celery neutralises these effects.>(4L?
&" Ma--a .bani%$/0( and %$/!(
a. It has been narrated from the 7ro/het (s) that one should mae /regnant women eat
maa ubani, for surely when the maa ubani becomes food for the child in the
stomach, it will mae hisPher heart strong and increase hisPher intellect.>(+(?
," 1li2e oil
a. A /regnant woman should not forego drining olive oil as it maes her colour white,
and clears her liver as well as that of her child.>(+0?
/" Pomegranate%$/+(
a. !ighly recommended to be eaten before breafast on 3ridays.
b. %aes the child good (righteous).
c. Iery good for easing nausea, anemia, 5aundice, 5oint aches, blood /ressure and /iles.
>(+2?
d. Anyone who eats ' /omegranate, their heart will be filled with N&r (Noble light) and
#atan will not whis/er to them for )9 days.>(+4?
'" Qa3oot%$//(
a. If eaten by both /arents, it is a cause of strength and lac of stu/idity, wea
mindedness and foolishness in the child.
b. 3eeding the child ;awoot causes increase in strength, growth of the flesh, and firmness
of the bones.
4" Quince
a. Is a cause of strength of the heart, cleanliness of the stomach, clearness of the mind and
bravery and beauty of the child.>(+K?
b. Eives lustre to the heart, and cures the inner /ains (with the /ermission of Allh
>swt? ).>(+L?
c. It has been narrated from Imm as$#di; (as) that a /regnant woman should eat ;uince,
so that her child is more sweet smelling and hisPher colour is /urer.>(K9?
d. It is narrated from Imm as$#di; (as)* 8%ae /regnant women eat ;uince, as it maes
their children beautiful.=>(K'?
e. It is narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 8Nating ;uince maes the colour of the sin clear
and full of freshness, and maes the child of a /erson beautiful and healthy as well.=>(K(?
Quince contains Iitamins F', F(, F4 and ", magnesium and /hos/horus>(K0?
!0" 5atermelon
a. %aes the child cheerful and good natured.>(K)?
b. It is narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 8No /regnant woman eats watermelon with cheese,
e@ce/t that her newborn child becomes beautiful and of a nice figure.=>(K2?
''" 6arious other things
a. Nating almonds, bran rice, vegetables, blac /lums, fish, lentils, cabbage, lettuce,
honey, beans, gra/es, /eaches, olive oil, ha1el$nuts, nuts and dairy /roducts (es/ecially
mil) is also beneficial during /regnancy.>(K4?
Properties of some of the abo2e7mentioned foods
'. !a1el$nuts* Eood for anaemia and colic (although not in e@cess).>(K+?
(. Hhite beans* Eood for /eo/le whose wor involves thining.
0. Era/es* 3ruit with the most calories. :emoves weanesses, cleans the blood and
idneys, removes acidity in the blood and /rovides energy.
). 7eaches* "ontains iron, Iitamin F and ". Is very good for the liver and im/roves the
colour of the face.>(KK?
2. Almonds* #oftens the chest, strengthens the bladder and cures burning when urinating.
"ontains /hos/horus, /otassium, magnesium, calcium, sul/hur and iron. Almond oil
contains Iitamin N.>(KL?
4. Fran rice* Fran grains such as wheat, barley, millet and rice are an im/ortant source of
Iitamin F. Fran rice whose outer sin (which contains the vitamin) has been removed
leads to rheumatism and gout, increased hair fall or hair going white ;uicly. 7regnant
women are recommended not to eat too much of this ty/e of rice, and to eat it with raw
onion to mae u/ for the lac of vitamins.
+. Flac /lums* Flac and yellow /lums contain Iitamins A, F and ", /otassium,
sodium, magnese o@ide, carbohydrate, iron, calcium, /hos/horus and magnesium. ,hey
are good for curing rheumatism, gout, clogging of arteries and food$/oisoning. Hhen
eaten in the morning on an em/ty stomach, it is beneficial for chronic consti/ation.
K. .entils* Eood for anaemia and increases mil. "ontains Iitamins A, F and ",
/hos/horus, iron and calcium. 6ver$eating can lead to darness of the eyes and
menstruation /roblems- however, eating sesame oil and cooing it with beetroot leaf can
neutralise these effects.
L. "abbage* "ontains Iitamins A, F and ", and is a cure for all illnesses. Is also good for
slee/lessness and heaviness of the ear (i.e. when one does not hear well). Increases the
growth of the child and heals hemorrhoidal in5uries.
'9. .ettuce* N@tract of lettuce contains iron and magnesium. In itself, the lettuce contains
co//er and is beneficial for the liver. ,he magnesium contained is beneficial for muscles,
nerves and the brain. Increases resistance to infectious diseases.
''. ,urni/* "ontains Iitamins A, F and ", /hos/horus, calcium, /otassium, iodine and
sul/hur. #trengthens the light of the eye, and because of the Iitamin A, cures night
blindness. #oftens the chest and cures coughs and colds. 7revents and cures blac
le/rosy. ,he sul/hur along with Iitamin A /revents or reduces stones in the bladder.
Frings down blood /ressure and is also beneficial for strengthening the ovaries and
se@ual stimulation.
Fecause of its /ro/erties, turni/s (and its syru/P5am) are recommended to /regnant and
breastfeeding women for the develo/ment of the child, easy teething, firming of the
bones, waling and taling ;uicly and resistance against illnesses.
(#yru/* %ae a hole in the middle of the turni/, fill it with sugar and let it li;uidise. ,his
is a good balm for the chest and can also be fed to children.)>(L9?
N6,N* 3resh air and /lenty of o@ygen are vital for the develo/ment of a healthy child
Recommended Acts
3or children /ossessing good character and mae$u/, mothers are recommended to do as
many of the following acts as /ossible*
8eneral acts%$4!(
'. Always try and be in Hud&, es/ecially when eating food.
(. Always try and face Qibla while carrying out daily acts, es/ecially eating and drining.
0. Eive #ada;ah every day for the /rotection of the child.
). Aont loo at the mirror at night.
2. #tay away from all ty/es of sin, es/ecially bac$biting and lies.
4. 7erform all obligatory acts and try and do as many mustahab acts as /ossible.
+. ,ry and be rela@ed and have /ositive thoughts at all times, and dont get angry.
K. 7revent any /otential worrying about the childs develo/ment or about /regnancy by
obtaining all the necessary information, and most of all, by trusting Allh (swt).
L. .isten to, and recite the Quran as much as you can, and thus hel/ your child become
!afidh of the Quran from the womb.
'9. .isten to lectures from scholars
''. 7erform Ehusl Mumuah (3riday) on )9 3ridays (7lease note /regnancy is usually )9
wees. Additionally, it is narrated in tradition that one who does Ehusl Mumuah )9
wees in a row, the /erson will not face the s;uee1ing of the grave).
'(. 7ray #alt al$.ayl a minimum of )9 times. If one cannot wae u/ before #alt al$3a5r
to /ray, then it is /ossible to /ray after #alt al$Ish.>(L(? If this is also not /ossible, it is
recommended ;ad be recited.
'0. Nat large raisins for )9 days on an em/ty stomach, every day (' /ieces, each /iece
eaten after the recitation of Fismillah.
'). :emember Allh (swt) (recite the dhir of <Allh (swt)) constantly.
'2. !el/ other /eo/le with their needs.
'4. .oo at the faces of /ious /eo/le and beautiful scenes of nature.
'+. Ao not mi@ with /eo/le who have bad manners.
'K. Eo for 1iyrat.
'L. :ecite #alt on time.
(9. Name the child in the stomach, and choosing a good name lie %uhammad, <AlD and
3tima, and call himPher by this name.
('. ,al to the child in the stomach, as this increases the closeness of the /arents and the
child. ,his remains in the memory of the child, even after birth.>(L0?
#/ecific acts for each of the L months of /regnancy>(L)?
!st month9
:ecite #urat BsDn (04) and al$#afft (0+) on ,hursday and 3riday and blow on
the stomach.
Nat sweet a//le in the morning.
Nat /omegranate before breafast on 3riday.
Nat a very small amount of hahe shafaa>(L2? (the si1e of a lentil) before sunset.
7ray daily /rayers at its fadhilah time.
:ecite the AdhnPI;mah before /rayers with your hand on the stomach.
:ecite #urat al$Qadr (L+) on ( dates everyday and eat them on an em/ty stomach.
$nd month9
:ecite #urat al$%ul (4+) on ,hursday and 3riday.
:ecite #alawt (with Ha A55il 3ara5ahum added at the end) on ,hursday ')9
times and on 3riday '99 times*

=
7

? P

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&

:ecite the following long #alawt with the hand on the stomach*

=
7

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&

G 7

K(

V
86 Allh (swt)G Fless %uhammad and the family of %uhammad, and hasten their release
from suffering, and destroy their enemy, and curse their enemies from among the 5inn and
humanind from the beginning to the end (of time).=>(L4?
Nat meat with sweet a//le and some mil every wee.
:ecite #urat al$,awhDd (''() on ( 5u5ube (dar red fruit- also nown as the
"hinese date) everyday and eat them on an em/ty stomach.
)rd month9
:ecite #urat Qli$<Imrn (0) on ,hursday and 3riday.
:ecite #alawt (with Ha A55il 3ara5ahum) ')9 times.
:ecite the long #alawt before every #alt ee/ing the hands on the stomach*

=
7

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? R

&

G 7

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86 Allh (swt)G Fless %uhammad and the family of %uhammad, and hasten their release
from suffering, and destroy their enemy, and curse their enemies from among the 5inn and
humanind from the beginning to the end (of time).=>(L+?
Nat wheat and meat and drin mil every wee.
Nat honey in the morning.
:ecite Ayat al$OursD (#uratul Fa;arah ((), Ierse (22) on an a//le everyday and
eat it on an em/ty stomach.
Nat a very small amount of %aa Rbani (the si1e of a lentil) on an em/ty
stomach.>(LK?
+th month9
:ecite #urat al$AahrPal$Insn (+4) on ,hursday and 3riday.
:ecite #urat al$Qadr (L+) in one :aat of every /rayer.
After daily /rayers, recite #urat al$Oawthar ('9K), #urat al$Qadr (L+) and the long
#alawt with the hand on the stomach*

=
7

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? R

&

G 7

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86 Allh (swt)G Fless %uhammad and the family of %uhammad, and hasten their release
from suffering, and destroy their enemy, and curse their enemies from among the 5inn and
humanind from the beginning to the end (of time).=>(LL?
:ecite*
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*ur +ord# ,rant us comfort in our spouses and descendants" and ma'e us )m!ms of
the ,odwary.$>099?
:ecite Astaghfirullaha :abbi Ha Atubu Ilai (I see forgiveness from Allh (swt)
and turn to !im) + times*
(

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2@ 7

:ecite #alawt ')9 times after /rayers.

Nat sweet a//le, honey and /omegranate.
#tart reciting #alt al$.ayl (if you cannot manage this on time, recite ;ad).
:ecite #urat al$,in (L2) on ( figs everyday and eat them on an em/ty stomach.
"hoose the childs name before it is ) months and '9 days old.
&th month9
:ecite #urat al$3ath ()K) on ,hursday and 3riday.
:ecite #urat al$Nasr (''9) in a daily /rayer.
:ub hahe shafaa on the stomach.
Nat a date every morning.
3rom the start of the 2th month, at the time of #alt, recite Adhn and I;mah
with your hand on the stomach.
:ecite #urat al$!amd (') on an egg everyday and eat it on an em/ty stomach.
,th month9
:ecite #urat al$H;iah (24) on ,hursday and 3riday.
:ecite #urat al$,in (L2) in one of the :aat of %aghrib and Isha /rayers.
:ub hahe shafaa on the stomach, after every #alt.
Nat fig and olive after breafast.
Nither in the morning or night, try to eat bone marrow>09'?, and stay away from
fatty foods.
:ecite #urat al$3ath ()K) on a /omegranate everyday and eat it on an em/ty
stomach.
/th month9
3rom the +th month, for )9 days after the 3a5r /rayer, recite #urat al$Anm (4)
on almonds and then eat them.
3rom the +th month onwards, eat an almond a day.
:ecite #urat al$Nahl ('4) on %onday.
:ecite #urat BsDn (04) and #urat al$%ul (4+) on ,hursday and 3riday.
3rom this month on, recite #urat al$N&r (()) often.
3rom this month on, after tasbih, recite 2 #urahs (al$!adDd (2+), al$!ashr (2L), al$
#aff (4'), al$Mumuah (4() and al$,aghabun (4))) often.
:ecite #urat al$Qadr (L+) and #urat al$,awhDd (''() in daily /rayers.
:ecite #alawt ')9 times every day.
Nat a little watermelon after food (do not drin water before or after).
:ecite #urat BsDn (04) on a ;uince everyday and eat on an em/ty stomach.
'th month9
:ecite #urat al$Qadr (L+) '9 times on #aturday after #ubh /rayer.
:ecite #urat al$,in (L2) twice on #unday after #ubh /rayer.
:ecite #urat BsDn (04) on %onday.
:ecite #urat al$3ur;n ((2) on ,uesday.
:ecite #urat al$AahrPal$Insn (+4) on Hednesay.
:ecite #urat %uhammad ()+) on ,hursday.
:ecite #urat al$#afft (0+) on 3riday.
Nat sweet yoghurt and honey.
Nat sweet /omegranate on 3riday on an em/ty stomach.
If there is no fear of harm, use vinegar (in your food) once a wee.
4th month9
Ao not eat garam masala.>09(?
#acrifice a shee/ for Imm %ahdD (as) and eat from that.
Nat dates and ebab. About eating dates, it is narrated from the 7ro/het (s)* 8In
the month in which /regnant ladies will give birth, feed them dates as their
children will be forbearing and virtuous.=>090?
:ecite #urat al$<Asr ('90) and #urat al$Ahriyt (2') in Ahuhr and <Asr /rayers.
:ecite #urat al$!a55 ((() on ,hursday and #urat al$3tir (02) on 3riday night.
:ecite #urat al$InsnPal$Aahr (+4) on some dates and mil everyday and eat on an
em/ty stomach.
,ry to avoid looing at /ictures and into the mirror.
Eo for a daily wal at a slow /ace.
Recommended :upplications
Eeneral su//lications over the course of /regnancy>09)?
'. :ecite #urat %ariam ('L) daily for a righteous and /ious child.
(. :ecite #urat BsDn (04) )9 times (each time blow on a /omegranate and eat it).
0. :ecite #urat B&suf ('() )9 times (each time blow on an a//le and eat it).
). :ecite #urahs* al$!adDd (2+), al$!ashr (2L), al$,aghabun (4)), al$Mumuah (4() and al$
#aff (4') )9 times before slee/ing on ,hursday night or any night.
2. :ecite #urat al$,awhDd (''() 29 times every day after #ubh /rayer.
4. :ecite #urat al$Qadr (L+) 29 times every day after #ubh /rayer.
+. :ecite #urat al$Anbiy ((') continuously (at least once a wee) for a /ious child.
K. 3or a /atient child, recite #urat al$Asr ('90) with your hand on the stomach.
L. :ecite Ciyrat al$Mmia )9 times.
'9. :ecite Ciyrat Ale BsDn (and the Au< that follows it) )9 times.
''. :ecite )9 Ciyrat <Ash&r (including '99 curses and '99 salaams and Au< Al;amah-
if the '99 curses and salaams are not /ossible, then even '9 times will suffice).
'(. :ecite Ciyrat of Imm %ahdD (as) )9 times.
'0. :ecite !adith al$Ois )9 times.
'). :ecite Au< al$,awassul )9 times.
'2. :ecite Au< Oumail on ,hursday night )9 times.
'4. :ecite Au< al$Nudba on 3riday mornings (before Ahuhr) )9 times.
'+. :ecite Au< al$#amt on 3riday afternoons )9 times.
'K. :ecite Au< al$Ahd )9 times consecutively after the 3a5r /rayer.
'L. :ecite #alawt ')9 times a day.
(9. :ecite Istighfr +9 times after #alt.
('. :ecite ,asbDh of !adrat 3tima (as) after every #alt, and every night before slee/.
((. :ecite the entire Quran once (and send the reward to Imm %ahdD (as)).
(0. Hhen feeling movement of the child, /lace your hand on the stomach and recite
#alawt and #urat al$,awhDd (''().
N6,N* It is im/ortant to note for the recommended )9 weely su//lications (such as
Au< Oumail), that there are a//ro@imately )9 wees in a /regnancy.
Quranic su//lications for righteous children
'. ,he Au< of 7ro/het (s) IbrhDm (as)*
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-y +ord# -a'e me a maintainer of the prayer" and my descendants (too). *ur +ord#
ccept my supplication.$>094?
0. ,he Au< of 7ro/het (s) Caariya (as)*
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*ur +ord# ,rant us comfort in our spouses and descendants" and ma'e us )m!ms of
the ,odwary.$>09L?

Im;m <ain al7=Abid>ns ?as@ supplication for righteous children>0'9?
Imm Cain al$<AbidDns (as) Au< for children, as narrated in #ahDfatul #a55diya, is a
highly recommended Au< to be recited during /regnancy and after*

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In the Name of Allah, the %ost Eracious, the %ost %erciful

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86 Eod, be ind to me through the survival of my children, setting them right for me, and
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%y Eod, mae long their lives for me, increase their terms, bring u/ the smallest for me,
strengthen the weaest for me, rectify for me their bodies, their religious dedication, and
their moral traits, mae them well in their souls, their limbs, and everything that concerns
me of their affair, and /our out for me and u/on my hand their /rovisionsG %ae them
/ious, fearing, insightful, hearing, and obedient toward Bou, loving and well$dis/osed
toward Bour friends, and stubbornly resistant and full of hate toward all Bour enemiesG
AmenG

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6 Eod, through them strengthen my arm, straighten my burdened bac, multi/ly my
number, adorn my /resence, ee/ alive my memory, suffice me when I am away, hel/
me in my needs, and mae them loving toward me, affectionate, a//roaching, u/right,
obedient, never disobedient, disres/ectful, o//osed, or offendersG=

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!el/ me in their u/bringing, their education, and my devotion toward them, give me
among them from Bourself male children, mae that a good for me, and mae them a
hel/ for me in that which I as from BouG

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Eive me and my /rogeny refuge from the accursed #atan, for Bou have created us,
commanded us, and /rohibited us, and made us desire the reward of what Bou have
commanded, and fear its /unishmentG Bou assigned to us an enemy who schemes against
us, gave him an authority over us in a way that Bou didst not give us authority over him,
allowed him to dwell in our breasts and let him run in our blood vessels- he is not
heedless, though we be heedless, he does not forget, though we forget- he maes us feel
secure from Bour /unishment and fills us with fear toward other than Bou.

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to /erform a righteous wor, he holds us bac from it. !e o//oses us through /assions,
and sets u/ for us doubts. If he /romises us, he lies, and if he raises our ho/es, he fails to
fulfil them. If Bou do not turn his tricery away from us, he will misguide us, and if Bou
do not /rotect us from his corru/tion, he will cause us to sli/.

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and rise u/ among those /reserved by you from sinG

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Bour res/onse when Bou hast guaranteed a res/onse, veil not my su//lication from
Bourself, when Bou hast commanded me to mae it, and be ind to me through
everything that will set me right in this world and the ne@t, in everything that I remember
or forget, dis/lay or conceal, mae /ublic or ee/ secretG

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In all of this, /lace me through my asing Bou among those who set things right, those
who are answered favourably when they re;uest from Bou and from whom is not
withheld when they /ut their trust in Bou, those accustomed to see refuge in Bou, those
who /rofit through commerce with Bou, those granted sanctuary through Bour might,
those given lawful /rovision in /lenty from Bour boundless bounty through Bour
munificence and generosity, those who reach e@altation after abasement through Bou,
those granted sanctuary from wrong through Bour 5ustice, those released from affliction
through Bour mercy, those delivered from need after /overty through Bour riches, those
/reserved from sins, sli/s, and offenses through reverential fear toward Bou, those
successful in goodness, right conduct, and /ro/riety through obeying Bou, those walled
off from sins through Bour /ower, the refrainers from every act of disobedience toward
Bou, the dwellers in Bour neighbourhoodG

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6 Eod, give me all of that through Bour bestowal of success and Bour mercy, grant us
refuge from the chastisement of the burning, and give to all %uslims, male and female,
and all the faithful, male and female, the lie of what I have ased for myself and my
children, in the immediate of this world and the deferred of the ne@tG Ierily Bou art the
Near, the :es/onder, the All$hearing, the All$nowing, the 7ardoner, the 3orgiving, the
"lement, the %ercifulG And give to us in this world good, and in the ne@t world good,
and /rotect us from the chastisement of the 3ireG

Aotes9
>(09? Tafsir Gzar, vol. 4, /g. (02
>(0'? Niyzh wa Rawbith Jins was Zanshu, /g. 04
>(0(? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. 4, /g. 00)
>(00? htt/*PPal$islam.orgPmasoomPwritingsPduasParafah.html
>(0)? htt/*PPal$islam.orgPsahifaPdua0(.html
>(02? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. 49, /g. 04(
>(04? Mustadrak al-asil, vol. '2, /g. 'K9
>(0+? Niyzh wa Rawbith Mdarn wa Jann, /g. '9
>(0K? al-!f, vol. (, /g. '2L$'49
>(0L? Mustadrak al-asil, vol. (, /g. 4(K
>()9? Makari" al-Akhl#, /g. (0K
>()'? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. '9', /g. '9K
>()(? al-!f, vol. 2, /g. )L4
>()0? Tafsir $ %hill al-&ur'an, vol. 2, /g. 0'K
>())? Mustadrak al-asil, vol. (, /g. 4(K
>()2? Tr(atis( )f Ri*hts+ Sahfatul Sajjdiyah
>()4? Mustadrak al-asil, vol. '9, /g. )4
>()+? !anz al-A,"l, no. )L9
>()K? Ghurar al--ik", no. 'K4(
>()L? S.rat Marya", Ierse '2 S :efers to 7ro/het Bahy (as)
>(29? S.rat Marya", Ierse 0 S :efers to 7ro/het <Is (as)
>(2'? !hnwd( dar /sla", /g. '4'
>(2(? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. (0, /g. +L
>(20? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. 49, /g. 0((
>(2)? /bid0
>(22? al-!f, vol. 2, /g. '()
>(24? Niyzh wa Rawbith Mdarn wa Jann, /g. 44
>(2+? Tabb !hnwd(, /g. 44
>(2K? Rayhn-( B(h(sht, /g. '9+
>(2L? Tafsir Nur al-Tha#alayn, vol. 0, /g. 009
>(49? Tuhaf al--1#.l, /g. K0
>(4'? al-!f, vol. 4, /g. ()
>(4(? 2alliyatul Mutta#n+ 3*0 456
>(40? asil ash-Sh,a, vol. (2, /g. '49, no. 0'2('
>(4)? S.rat al-An-" (4), Ieres LL- Surat Maria" ('L), Ierse (2
>(42? /zdawj Maktab /nsn Szi, vol. +, /g. 42
>(44? Rayhn-( B(h(sht, /g. '9K$'9L
>(4+? S.rat al-Tn (L2), Ierse '
>(4K? G)njhy-( Ma-na7, /g. 0)+
>(4L? !hs M7(h a Sabzh
>(+9? ,his is a dry gum which is widely available in %aa, and is also nown as libaan
in Arabic.
>(+'? ,his is not recommended for those living in dry and salty areas (deserts).
>(+(? 2alliyatul Mutta#n, /g. '(4
>(+0? A-jz kh.rkh, /g. 09K$0''
>(+)? Rayhn-( B(h(sht, /g. '9K
>(+2? Masil ,/l"i %ar &ur'an, /g. ')9
>(+4? G)njhy-( Ma-na7, /g. 02'
>(++? Rayhn-( B(h(sht, /g. '9+
>(+K? al-!f, vol. 4, /g. 02+
>(+L? G)njhy-( Ma-na7, /g. 029
>(K9? 2alliyatal Mutta#n, /g. '(2
>(K'? Makri" al-Akhl#, /g. K4
>(K(? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. K', /g. '9'
>(K0? Rayhn-( B(h(sht, /g. '94
>(K)? Bar*(y( Rahna"a
>(K2? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. 4(, /g. (LL
>(K4? Rayhn-( B(h(sht, /g. '9L$''(
>(K+? !hs M7(ha a Sabzh
>(KK? A-jz !h)rkh
>(KL? !hs M7(ha a Sabzh
>(L9? /bid0
>(L'? %ostly derived from Rayhn(y-( B(h(sht, /g. '90$'94
>(L(? "onfirmed with the office of Ayatullh #DstnD, Qum
>(L0? $asaln"(y( Shr Mdar, No L
>(L)? Rayhn(y-( B(h(sht, /g. LL$'90
>(L2? ,he Noble earth of Oerbala, Ira;
>(L4? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. K4, /g. (KL
>(L+? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. K4, /g. (KL
>(LK? ,his is not recommended for those living in dry and salty areas (deserts).
>(LL? Bihr al-Anwr, vol. K4, /g. (KL
>099? S.rat al-$ur#n, Ierse +)
>09'? Also nown as <bongo in Eu5arati.
>09(? A s/ice blend originating from India.
>090? Mustadrak al-asil, vol. 0, /g. ''(
>09)? %ostly derived from Rayhn(y-( B(h(sht, /g. '90$'94
>092? S.rat al-Safft, Ierse '99$'9'
>094? S.rat /brh", Ierse )9
>09+? S.rat 8li-,/"rn, Ierse 0K
>09K? S.rat al-Ah#f, Ierse '2
>09L? S.rat al-$ur#n, Ierse +)
>0'9? ,his su//lication can be found in as-Sahfatul !"ilatul Sajjdiyah, number (2,
translated by Hilliam "hittic, /ublished by the %uhammadi ,rust of the RO.