Pregnancy

Like the conception period, and even more so, the thoughts and actions of the mother have an impact on the Akhla-q, actions and faith of the unborn child, as the child is like an organ of the mother and obtains all the necessary factors of development from her.

The Prophet (s) has stated that the prosperity and adversity of a child is determined in the mother’s stomach. 165 In another tradition, Ima-m ‘Ali- (as) too, has said that in terms of Akhla-q, nature and religiousness, a child is made by the mother and obtains his/her disposition from her Akhla-q. 166 Thus it is the responsibility of the mother that she creates the best possible environment for the first home of the child.

The constant care and attention of the mother that all thoughts and actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and the Ahlul Bayt (as), is necessary and highly emphasized. This is especially important 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. For it is through this manner, that the esteemed and noble Saints and scholars have come into this world and made an impact not only in their societies, but also in the history of the world. mentions the purity of two noble Prophet (s)s, Yahya- bin Zakariya (as) and ‘Isa- bin Maryam (as), from the day of their birth:

“Peace be to him, the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive!” 167

“Peace is to me the day I was born, and the day I die, and he day I am raised alive.” 168

Likewise in the Ziya-rat of Wa-ritha, we bear witness to the purity of Ima-m Husain (as): “I bear witness that, verily, you were a light in the sublime loins, and purified wombs; the impurities of ignorance did not (even) touch you, nor its soiled and dirty bearings could ever smear you.”

The father plays an important role in helping the mother maintain a healthy spirit and development, by supporting her and helping her in every way. By being informed and understanding about the changes the mother will undergo, as well as her physical, emotional and mental needs, he can help create the warm and loving atmosphere at home that is essential for the positive development of the child.

The following incident clearly highlights the importance of the actions of the mother and father during the period of pregnancy:

a. When ‘Alla-mah Majlisi (the compiler of Biha-r al-Anwa-r) was a child, he went with his father to a mosque in Isfahan. While his father went to pray, he remained in the courtyard, playing. When his father came out, he saw that his son had poked a needle into a water skin full of water that belonged to the mosque, and all the water had spilled out. The father was very upset and when he reached home, he narrated the incident to his wife and said that this act must be a consequence of something we did. He continued saying that however much he thought of his actions before conception, during conception, hala-l intake and all other possibilities, he could not think of a possible cause, and asked his wife to think on it as well.

After doing this, the wife replied that I can’t think of any thing except one incident. One day while I was pregnant with him, I went to a neighbour’s house and saw a pomegranate tree. I made a prick in one of the pomegranates and sucked a little bit of juice. It was this one small act that led to the later incident that took place with her son. 169

May Alla-h (swt) grant all mothers the tawfi-q (Divine opportunity) to be able to carry out their responsibilities to the best of their abilities, and thus be able to apply the following tradition of Ima-m as-Sa-diq (as) to their children: “Glad is the one whose mother possesses the precious gem of chastity and pure thoughts.” 170

Adapted from the book: "From Marriage to Parenthood; The Heavenly Path" by: "Abbas and Shahin Merali"