For women, pregnancy and giving birth are blissful yet very tense moments.

Blissful for she blessed with an offspring, yet tense for there are physical and mental changes along with pregnancy period. It is stated in Al-Quran that pregnant woman is becoming weak and weaker (wahnan ala wahnin), especially when in labor. Islam shows guidance in every aspects of a moslem daily life, from significant matters to trivial ones. As example, we were given guidance to say prayer when going or coming out of a bathroom, when starting an activity, before going to bed or upon waking up, before and after eating, after shalat, etc. The same goes for pregnant woman, she needs prayer and zikir, whether those are daily routine or specific ones. Zikirs and duas in this book were taken from book Al-Ifadahg fi Ma Jaa fi WirdiIWiladah (Indonesian edition, Smart Media, 2006) written by Naurah binti Abdurrahman, a moslemah knowledgeable in womanhood, and finds the importance of zikir and prayer to give comfort and supernatural power to pregnant and in labor women. This zikir and prayer compilation has valid and shahih ground from Rasulullah hadits, so you dont have to worry about falling into forbidden bidah. Zikirs and duas came from either Al-Quran or Al-Hadhit. For ones that came from Quran, I will only write down the name of the surah, the verses number and how many times they should be read. Ones from Al-hadits are not entirely written here. Zikirs from Quran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Read surah Al-Fatihah 1-7, seven times Read surah Al-Ikhlas 1-4, four times Read surah Al-Falaq 1-5, three times Read surah An-Naas 1-6, three times Read surah Al-Baqarah 255, three or seven times Read the end of surah Al-Baqarah: 285-286, one time Read the beginning of surah Al-Baqarah: 1-5, one time Read surah Al-Hasyr: 22-24,one time Read surah Thaha: 111, one time Read surah Al-Anbiya: 69, three times Read surah Al-Anam: 17, three times Read surah Al-Isra: 82, three times Read surah At-Taubah: 14, three times Read surah Yunus: 57, three times Read the end of surah An Nahl: 68, three times Read surah Asy-Syuara: 80, three times Read surah Fushshilat: 44, three times

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Read surah Al-Qalam: 51, three times Read surah Yaasin: 9, three times Read surah Al-Zalzalah: 1-8, one, three or seven times Read surah Al-Insyiqaq: 1-4, one time Read surah Al-Araf: 54-56, one time Read surah Yunus: 3, one time Read surah Al-Kaafirun: 1-6, one time Read surah An-Nashr: 1-3, one time Read surah An-Anaziat: 46, three times Read surah Al-Ahqaf: 35, three times Read surah Al-Anbiya: 83, three times Read surah Al-Anbiya: 87, three times Read surah Al-Mukmin: 44, three times Read surah Al-Qamar: 10, three times Read surah Huud: 88, three times Read surah Ali Imran: 173, three times Read surah At-Taubah: 129, seven times Read surah Ath-Thalaq: 3, three times Read surah Al-Muminun: 97-98, three times Read surah Al-Mumin: 1-3, one time Read surah Nuh: 10-12, one time Read surah Al-Fajr: 27-30, one time Read surah Ash-Shaffat 1:10, one time

Note: Besides verses mentioned above, reading surah Maryam, Qaf, Al-Fath, Yaasin, and Al-Mulk are also priorities. Each surah is read once. Zikir and Dua from Al-Hadits 1. Hadith Ibnu Abbas to overcome difficulties during giving birth: Theres no god but Allah The Most Forgiving and Most Noble So there are zikirs and duas you can use. Try to express all feelings and comprehend the meaning of particular zikir or dua. Try to wholeheartedly believe the effect and power of the zikir or dua you read, so may your wishes come true, with Allahs permission of course. When it is almost time to give birth, try to recite more zikir and istighfar, because in istighfars there is relieve for every difficulty. And in zikir to Allah will make heart peaceful, free from stress and confused situation during giving birth. Allah SWT said: Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest! Those who believe and do right: Joy

is for them, and bliss (their) journeys end. (QS. Ar-Rad: 28-29) Tips on Shaping Bright Children Before They Were Born To have bright and pious child is every parents yearning. Speaking about brightness, there are many offered methods on building children intelligence; starting from medicines, foods, supplements and certain trainings. But did you know, the built of brightness can be designed since the fetus is inside the womb? Here are the tips: Pay attention to eating habit Good arrangement of eating habit before copulation can be very beneficial. This will affect on quality and quantity of sperms and ovaries. Eat nutritious meals and have a good living habit so the pregnancy process can be optimal. Stay away from proscribed foods for they can lead to dirty sperms and ovaries. Beside that, a expectant mother has always to be in healthy condition so there can be no harm on the fetus development. Be Sincere and Grateful Pregnancy is Allahs bless that must be gratified. It means that you are being entrusted a child by Allah. As such, you have to be grateful for this wonderful bless. Accept the pregnancy with sincerity and joy. Without love and affection, the fetuss growth will not be optimal. Allah SWT has said: Or He mingleth them, males and females, and he maketh barren whom he will. Lo! He is Knower, Powerful. (QS Asy-Syuura: 50) Pray more Dua is the manifestation of relation between the weak unworthy and The Almighty. Everyday a moslem must pray more, especially when she has blessed with pregnancy. This must be done not only by the wife but also the husband. Pray for strength and easiness since starting the pregnancy until giving birth. Pray that the unborn baby will be bright and pious child. Among recommended dua is QS AlFurqaan: 74: Our Lord! Vouchsafe us comfort of our wives and of our offspring, and make us pattern for (all) those who ward off (evil).

In the name of Allah, keep us away from satan and keep the satan away from bless that will be given to us. Do more Qiyamul Lail Night prayer especially on one third of the night is a very good medium to connect to Allah. There are many benefit can be obtained from night prayer, physically as well psychically. Some of them will strengthen the faith and self believe needed to face unexpected things that would happen during pregnancy and on giving birth. Read Quran more Allah SWT has said: And bear in mind which is recited in your houses of the revelation of Allah and wisdom. Lo! Allah is Subtle, Aware. (QS Al-Ahzab: 34) Reading Quran not only can bring peace to whom read it but also to whom heard it. Especially for women in pregnancy, she needs peace and comfort during those days very much. It is important to remember that emotional instability of pregnant women may release negative substance within her blood which can lead to discomfort. The baby would be stimulated the same way and become unstable. According to children psychologist Dra. Surastuti Nurdadi, positive stimulation on the contrary can increase children intelligence since they were unborn. Moreover, when the pregnancy is twenty weeks old, fetus can hear outside voices. Al-Quran recital is the best a recital that must be sounded off to a baby, so later he/she could get used to it. Pregnancy by Moulana Moosa ibn Ahmad Olgar, extract: Upbringing of Children After some time has elapsed, the couple desire that Allah Taa'la bless them with a child and thus through marital consummation Allah Taa'la grants their wish. The first stage that follows is that of pregnancy. A person should not be ashamed of being pregnant or treat it as a big burden, as there are many beautiful virtues and rewards for being pregnant. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The woman that dies in her virginity or during her pregnancy or at the time of birth or thereafter (in nifaas) will attain the rank of a martyr." It is mentioned in another Hadith that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Does it not please you (O Women!) that when you conceive from your husbands while he is pleased with you then that woman will receive such reward equal to that of a fasting person in the path of Allah and spending the night in ibaadat. When her labour pains commence the inhabitants of the earth and the sky are unaware of the stores of comfort that are prepared for her. When she delivers and breast feeds her

child then she will be granted a reward for every gulp of milk, and if she had to remain awake during the night for the sake of her child, she will receive the reward of emancipating seventy slaves in the path of Allah. O Salaamat! Do you know who these women are? They are pious, upright, delicately natured but yet are obedient to their husbands and not ungrateful to them." Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "A woman from her pregnancy till the time of weaning her child is like one protecting the boundaries of the Islamic state. If she passes away during this period she attains the reward of martyrdom." In another Hadith it is mentioned that, "The woman who dies of labour pains is regarded as a martyr (shaheedah)." A woman should therefore gladly bear these difficulties patiently and calmly as she will be highly rewarded. Hazrat Mail bin Yasaar (radiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Marry such women who are loving and produce children (in abundance) because (on the day of Qiyaamah) I will vie with other Ummats and be proud of your numbers." In another Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Even the miscarried foetus will drag its mother towards Jannat if she exercised patience with the hope of acquiring reward." Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "When the woman breast feeds then on every gulp of milk the child receives, the reward is as though she has granted life to a being and when she weans her child, then the angels pat her on her back saying: CONGRATULATIONS! all your past sins have been forgiven, now start all over again." [By sins is intended the minor sins, this is also a great reward.] DAYS OF PREGNANCY During this time, great care and precautions should be adopted. During this stage, any physical weaknesses affect the growth of the child. In the early days of pregnancy, constipation should be avoided as there is a fear of miscarriage. Constipation is a fairly common complaint during pregnancy. Stimulant laxatives should be avoided in pregnancy and while breast-feeding. Similarly diarrhoea should be avoided as this can make her weak and at times can result in a miscarriage. During this period nausea, vomiting and discomposure is experienced. This induces a desire for sour and salty foods. Some women have a sudden craving for black soil and soap etc. Caution should be taken that no such items are consumed which are detrimental to the health. Also extremely bitter and spicy foods should be avoided. During pregnancy simple foods should be eaten that assist in digestion. If during the days of pregnancy any sickness befalls you, then immediate treatment

should be given and the doctor should be told of your pregnancy. One should not feel ashamed of being pregnant. Those women who have their first pregnancy are ashamed to tell their in-laws and relatives and as a result they suffer. The pregnant woman should remember that giving birth to a normal child does not lead to so much of weakness as in the case of a miscarriage. Therefore if one has a miscarriage, full precautions should be taken or else this weakness will affect her for the rest of her life. During the early days of pregnancy, very heavy things should not be carried or lifted. Likewise jumping from a high place, hopping, running or any form of physical (pain) strain should be prevented as this may cause excessive bleeding or even a miscarriage. The Islamic education of the child starts when the child is still in the womb of the mother. This is through the thoughts that she carries in those days, by the feelings that she has, by the kind of books that she reads, by the kind of company that she keeps and by the kind of things that she hears. During pregnancy frightening pictures of deformed children or animals should not be seen. One should look at beautiful children, flowers and should smell beautiful fragrances. Also during pregnancy reading evil books, having evil thoughts, bad intentions, practising of bad habits and doing sinful works should be avoided or else there is a fear that these evils may effect the unborn child later on. All these have an effect on the unborn child because the mother's nervous system is affecting all the systems of the baby. Although the baby has its own independent systems, remember it is the mother's womb that is carrying the baby and that the baby is being affected by whatever she is thinking, feeling, reading and listening to. It is better and advisable for the mother to keep good company, to read good books (the Quraan Shareef should be read in abundance) and to be at such places where she hears the words of Allah and about our DEEN. It is important to have good feelings, good thoughts and not to carry grudges, have fear of something or be unduly worried about something. One should always remain calm and happy and should not be allowed to be over concerned and allow oneself to be overtaken by grief. The thoughts that you generate within yourself will influence the kind of disposition the child will have. If you are sad and miserable the child will be equally affected. So remember the environment prior to the child's birth is as important as the environment he is born into. WHAT TO READ DURING PREGNANCY During the days of pregnancy, duas for the protection from calamities should be read in abundance. Also the performance of Salaat regularly is a protection from calamities. The following duas and surahs should be read in abundance during pregnancy:

A'oodhu bikalimmatillaahit taammmaati min sharri maa khalaqa I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created. Hasbunallaahu wa ni'imal wakeel Allah suffices us and He is the best guardian Inniy u'eedhuhaa bika wa dhurriyyatahaa minas shaytaanir rajeem And I command her and her offspring to Thy protection, from the evil one, the rejected. Aayatul Kursi, surah Yaseen, surah Maryam, surah Yusuf and surah Muhammad Also it is mentioned that Hazrat Fatima (radiyallahu anha) reports that when it was time for her to deliver her child, "Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) sent Umme Salma (radiyallahu anha) and Hazrat Zainab (radiyallahu anha) to me with the instruction that they read Aayatul Kursi, surah Al-Falaq and An-naas and the following verse for easy delivery: Inna rabbakumullaahul ladhiy khalaqas samaawaati wal ardha fiy sittati ayyaamin thumma-stawaa alal arsh, yughshiyl llaylan nahaara wa yatlubuhoo hatheethan was shamsa wal qamara wan nujooma musakh-kharaatim bi amrihi. Alaa lahul khalqu wal amru, tabaaraka llaahu rabbul aalameen. Ud'oo rabbakum tadharru'an wa khufyatan, innahoo laa yuhibbul mu'tadeen." Surah Al-A'raf (7:54,55) If a woman has difficulty during childbirth, the following should be written on paper, wrapped in a piece of white cloth and tiedaround her left thigh. Insha-Allah it will ease the birth. Also Aayatul Kursi and the two Ayats from surah Al-A'raf (7: 54,55) are to be recited near the woman in throes of birth. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Naas are also to be read and thereafter blown on her. CERTAIN BEAUTIFUL NAMES OF ALLAH TO BE READ BEFORE AND DURING PREGNANCYYaa waahidul ahad, The ONE Un-EqualledAnyone desiring good and pious children should inscribe this ism on paper, or cloth and keep it with him at all times. Yaa awwalu, The First.Anyone desirous of male children should say this ism 40 times daily for 40 days. His needs will soon be fulfilled. (Insha-Allah) Yaa mubdi-u, The OriginatorAnyone who, while placing his hand on the stomach of his pregnant wife, repeats this ism 99 times at the time of sehri, neither willshe have a miscarriage nor will she give birth prematurely. (Insha-Allah) Yaa barru, The Good.Anyone who reads this ism 7 times and blows on his child soon after birth, Allah will grant the child protection from calamities untilpuberty. (InshaAllah)

Yaa baari-u, One Who Gives Life.If a barren woman fasts for 7days and each day, after making Iftaar with water, reads this ism 21 times Allah will grant her malechildren. (Insha-Allah) Yaa musawwiru, Fashioner of Shapes.If a barren woman fasts and each day, after making Iftaar with water read this ism 21 times Allah will grant her male children. (Insha-Allah Yaa naafi-u, One Who Confers Benefits.If this ism is said prior to having intercourse, Allah will grant him good and pious children. (Insha-Allah) FASTING DURING PREGNANCYIf the pregnant woman is certain or almost certain that if she fasts the foetus will be harmed or she herself will be harmed, she is thenpermitted not to observe the fasts. If a woman comes to know after having had the intention of the fast that she is pregnant and she is almost certain that fasting would beharmful for her, she is then permitted to break the fast and observe it on another day without expiation. WHAT TO EAT DURING PREGNANCYDuring the days of pregnancy good and pure foods are essential for the health of the child. But excess of healthy foods and fruits andtoo much of resting causes the weight of the child to increase due to which delivery becomes difficult. Therefore excess of healthyfoods should not be consumed, nor should there be too much of resting. A little bit of work should be done. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "If a woman eats sweet melon, she will give birth to a handsome and pretty child." It is interesting to note that an intelligent child is born when a pregnant woman eats beans. Also it increases the mother's milk. During the days of pregnancy by eating coconut and sugar candy, it lessens the amount of vomiting. There is easiness at the time ofthe birth of the child. Also on the body of the child there would be no heat rashes and the child will be fair and pure (skin) and thechild will be born healthy. (Insha-Allah) Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has emphasised the importance of dates and their effectiveness in the growth of the foetus. He(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) recommended that they be given to women. Sayyidah Maryam (alayhas salaam) had dates as her foodduring her confinement and labour. Experiments have shown that dates contain stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterusin the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery on one hand and reduces the bleeding afterdelivery on the other. Dates enrich the breast milk with all the elements needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease.Modern Science has proved that dates are a part of a healthy diet. They contain sugar, fat and

proteins as well as important vitamins.They are also rich in natural fibres. Medical research has proven that they are effective in preventing stomach cancer. Dates alsosurpass other fruit in sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorous,Manganese, Copper and Megnesium. In other words, one date is a mini-mine of a balanced and healthy diet. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said that bitter orange (grapefruit) is a cure for all illnesses. Also, itincreases the milk in the mother's breast. Once a woman has confirmed her pregnancy, she should express her gratitude before Allah Ta'ala as this is indeed a great bounty of Allah Ta'ala. This is such a boon that many people beseech Allah Ta'ala throughout their lives for pious children but Allah Ta'ala has destined otherwise. In fact one of the greatest Nabes of Allah Ta'ala, Hadrat Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam) used to supplicate to Allah Ta'ala most profoundly and frequently. Even Hadrat Zakariyya (Alayhis salaam) used to supplicate for children most passionately and fervently during the latter part of his life. Hence, a Muslim woman is required to express her gratitude unto Allah Ta'ala for this great bounty. Gratitude may be expressed in the following ways: 0 1. Recite the following Du'aa very frequently:Allahumm Lakal Hamd Wa Lakash-ShukruTranslation: O Allah! All praises are due to You alone and I express my gratitude unto You alone (for granting me the honour of 1 motherhood) 2 Allocate a fixed time for two Rak'aat of Nafl Salaat. Whilst in Sajdah, make Du'aa abundantly. Recite the following Du'aa as well:Rabbi Hab Liy Min-Ladunka Zurriyatan-Tayyibah Innaka Sam'iud-Du'aaTranslation: O my Lord! Bless me from your side with pure children. Verily You are all-hearing of the Du'aa. 3 Recite the following Du'aa as well:Rabbi-j'alniy Muqeema-Salaati wa min Zurriyatiy Rabbanaa wa Taqabbal Du'aaTranslation: O my Lord! Render me as well as my progeny as establishers of Salh and accept our Du'aas. 4 Similarly, express your gratitude from the heart in such a manner that you stay happy and try to stay happy at all times. Try to forget all your past sorrows. Build your dreams and keep your hopes and spirits high. Ponder over the bounties of Jannat. Instead of embroiling yourself in the daily disputes with the mother-in-law and sistersin law and instead of involving yourself with the unbecoming behaviour of your husband, maintain strict silence. On the impending happiness of the birth of your child, maintain a friendly and trouble-free relationship with all. If you do tend to hurt anyone, apologise immediately and try to forget about the dispute. If you continue vexing others, the evil effects of this nature will fall on the unborn child as well. The conditions of the mother during pregnancy, in fact even her spirit and perceptions

during this state has a profound effect on the unborn child. Hence, a Muslim woman should express gratitude at all times especially during the period of her pregnancy. This gratitude should in turn develop in her the love of Allah Ta'ala. She should ponder that since Allah Ta'ala has blessed us with so many bounties, we should also devote ourselves to Him. To disobey such a majestic benefactor by strutting about veil-less, watching television, videos, backbiting etc. at any time and especially during pregnancy is not acceptable. Allah Ta'ala showers His bounties upon us and we in turn disobey Him!? The first month of pregnancy Remember that you are not a single entity now. Now a child is being nourished within your own body. With a bit of precaution on your part, this child may become healthy, intelligent, understanding, pious and religious. However, with your negligence and indifference, the child may turn out to be weak, sickly and incompetent. Hence, your life should not be the same as it was before you fell pregnant. Every moment should be passed with caution and concern over the well-being of yourself as well your child. Therefore, pay careful attention to the following points: 1 Be careful with your diet. Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Avoid over-eating and abstain from food that can cause constipation. 2 Eat green, fresh vegetables, like salads, cucumbers etc. in abundance. Make sure that they are clean and washed before use. 3 Drink lots of sour-milk and milk. Drink as much milk as your digestive system can handle. Milk is a very blessed form of nutrition. After consuming other types of food, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would utter: Allahumm At'imn Khayran-Minhu Translation: O Allah! Grant us food better than this (in Jannat). However, milk is of such a blessed nature that there is no food better than milk since after drinking milk Raslullh ? recited the following Du'aa: Allahumm Brik Lan Fh wa Zidn Minhu Translation: O Allah! Bless us in this and increase it for us. In other words, whilst drinking milk, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) did not ask for something better (as he did in the case of other foods), because there is no better food than milk. This is why he beseeched Allah Ta'ala for Barkat (blessing) and increase in it. In short, a pregnant woman should drink lots of milk because Allah Ta'ala has placed the vitamins and proteins required by the human body in milk. If pure or raw milk is detrimental to you, consume it in other forms like Lass (curds), sourmilk, custard, Khr etc. This is beneficial to the mother as well as the child.

1 Abstain from tea, coffee, Pn (betel leaf), oil, Ghee, chillies and oily foods. Besides affecting the digestive system, these foods are detrimental to the muscles and nervous system of the mother and may also affect the child. 2 Ensure that you refrain from all types of medication during pregnancy especially pain-relievers. If you are really desperate, consult a reliable female (or male) doctor explaining your pregnancy and conditions to her. It should not be such that you are prescribed medication that is injurious to pregnant women. Some medication clearly states on the lable that it is not advisable for pregnant women. Hence, if you are really desperate to use some medication, make sure you scrutinize the lable and make thorough investigation before use. 3 In the first three months and the last month, in fact from the seventh month onwards, avoid sexual contact with your husband. This at times, adversely affects the mother and the child. 4 Avoid sleeping late. Try to get at least eight hours of peaceful sleep. This will ensure that your body and mind is well rested. This in turn is beneficial for the child as well and it may simplify delivery of the child. 5 Avoid excessively hard work and picking up very heavy objects as this may lead to a miscarriage. If your cruel mother-in-law or hard-hearted sister-in-law compels you to pick up heavy objects or forces you to carry out some difficult task, then excuse yourself very politely and explain to them that this task is beyond you and that you will pay a labourer to carry out this task. Insh Allah Ta'ala, determine the well-being, health, robustness and happiness of the new arrival.