Cares for the Mother's Feeding

From the established reality is that the physical soundness of the embryo depends on the mother's physical soundness.

Feeding is among the factors that contribute to the sound health of the mother. We can observe the clear effect of starvation on babies in some countries. The physical weakness and sickness, the deformations in creation are all caused by starvation and mal-nutrition. Verily the opposition is correct.

That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) and the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) has cautioned to take care of the feeding of a pregnant woman especially the foods that have effect on the spiritual and psychological attributes of the embryo.

QUINCE (SAFARJAL)

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) said: "Eat quince (safarjal) as it brightening the eyes and create cordiality in the mind and feed your pregnant woman with it because it makes your son handsome" 75.

MILK

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) said: "Feed your pregnant woman milk because it increases the child's intelligence" 76.

Imam Ali Ibn Musa Ar-Ridah (peace be upon him) said: "Feed your pregnant woman milk, if there is a baby in her womb, he will comes out brilliantly, scholarly and courageously. If she is a baby girl, she will be beauty, possess good conduct, big buttock and honored by her husband" 77.

DATES

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) said: "Feed your women dates in her last month to delivery, verily her child will be tolerant and pure" 78.

The Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) has laid down a complete time table for the types of food that are beneficial for the physical soundness as it was stated in the chapters of foods and drinking in Al-kafi and Makarimul Akh'laq. Like pomegranate, fig, grapes, dried grapes, herbaceous, chard and other fruits and again meat, mash and vegetables.

This is in addition to the prohibition of some foods that are physical and psychologically harmful like dead meat, blood, pig meat, wine and all others that are mentioned in the Qur'an and traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) regards prohibited foods and drinks.

Notes:

75 - Makarimul Akh'laq: 172.

76 - Makarimul Akh'laq : 194.

77 - Makarimul Akh'laq: 194.

78 - Makarimul Akh'laq: 196.

Adapted from the book: "The Child's Education in Islam" by: "Ismail Abdullah"