QUESTION:
What do the scholars of the Din and muftis of the Sacred Law state regarding the following issue: there is a common practice in the community to ostracise women who have had a miscarriage. Often this means that women who are pregnant are kept away from a woman who has had a miscarriage. The belief is that the woman who has had a miscarriage will have an adverse effect on the womb of the pregnant woman. There is a belief of some ill effect on the pregnant woman and harm to the child. My own experience is that a woman who has suffered such a tragic event is left isolated, disliked and ostracised. Surely this cannot be right. What is the Islamic beliefs on this aspect of what are tragic practices. I hope your answer will help to educate the community with an Islamic perspective.
Questioner: Waleed from UK
ANSWER:
All praises belong to Allaah, the Creator Most Sublime Who is Uncreated, the One Who made human being of the best forms. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the final Prophet, Our Master, Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, upon his purified family, his esteemed companions, and whomsoever follows in his blessed footsteps until the last day.
Wa ‘alayka l-salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Practices such as:
• a pregnant woman not allowing the shadow of a woman who has miscarried to fall upon her
• a pregnant woman not attending funerals
• a pregnant woman distancing herself from anything that is perceived as negative or entails loss
with the belief that it will affect the unborn child are nothing but the misguided beliefs of ignorant people.
It is necessary for a Muslim to have firm belief and reliance upon Allaah ﷻ. All fate, good and bad, is from Allaah, no good can be bestowed upon anyone except by His will and no affliction can touch a person except by His leave.
There is no prohibition upon a pregnant woman in this regard nor any warning from Allaah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ.
If a woman has a miscarriage, then know that this is a test from Allaah upon her, if she is patient, then there are countless blessings for her, for our mother radiyaAllaahu anhaa said the Prophet of Allaah ﷺ said:
مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ شَوْكَةٍ فَمَا فَوْقَهَا إِلاَّ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً أَوْ حَطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا خَطِيئَةً
“A believer does not receive (the trouble) of running a thorn or more than that but Allaah elevates him in rank or effaces his sins because of that.” [Sahih Muslim 2572]
To believe a woman with a failed pregnancy is cursed is misguidance and to further believe her miscarriage will result in a miscarriage or abnormality in anothers pregnancy is misguidance on top of misguidance.
If the pregnant woman was to give birth to a deformed or disabled child, through the will of Allaah, then know this has nothing to do with her visiting a woman who has miscarried or visiting a funeral house – for Allaah creates what He wills. He bestows (children) male or female according to His Will (and Plan).
And Allāh knows best
Answered by Ustadh Asid Shafait
Checked by Shaykh Naveed Jameel ash-Shaami