Our resource page on Muslim Birth Traditions is a work in progress and will be continuously updated, inshAllah.
The Flower of Maryam
This peculiar dried flower can be found at shopping stands outside of Uhud in Medina and has been used by mothers during childbirth for centuries. It goes by various names such as the Flower of Maryam, the Lily of the Valley, tea of Fatima, Kacep Fatima (in Bahasa), and Bibi Maryam Phool (in Urdu).
When submerged in water, this flower slowly blooms over several hours, offering a serene and captivating sight for Muslim mothers in labor to meditate upon. Some herbalists believe that the water in which it blooms possesses medicinal properties that can aid with childbirth and postpartum healing. It is also believed to have calming and soothing qualities, contributing to relaxation and a sense of tranquility during labor and delivery.
Whether or not one chooses to consume the infused 'tea,' the presence of this flower provides a serene focal point for meditation during labor.
The First Adhan and Iqama
One of the remarkable customs observed after a baby's arrival is the recitation of the first Adhan and Iqama, the call to prayer, to the newborn.
According to the Hanafi school of law, it is virtuous to give the adhan in front of the baby when it is born [though not obligatory nor a sunnah]. One should turn one’s face to the right when saying “Hayya ‘ala al-salah” and to the left at “Hayya ‘ala al-falah” like in a normal adhan. [Radd al-Muhtar, Ibn ‘Abideen]
In the Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, the adhan is recommended and a sunnah, and it should be given in the right ear of the child and the iqama should be given in the left ear. [al-Majmu’, al-Nawawi; Mawahib al-Jaleel, al-Hattab; Kashaaf al-Qinaa’, al-Bahuti] --
Taken from Seeker's Guidance
The recitation of the first Adhan carries deeper symbolism as it also represents the Adhan for the baby's funeral prayer (Janazah). It reminds us of the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. By reciting the Adhan for the baby after birth, it serves as a reminder to cherish and nurture the child's spiritual growth throughout their life, preparing them for their ultimate return to Allah.
Tahneek is a beautiful practice involving the act of rubbing a softened date, honey, or something sweet on the baby's palate or lips shortly after birth.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would lovingly perform Tahneek for newborns by chewing a softened date or a piece of sweet food and then placing it in the baby's mouth.
This can be performed by the parent, or upright person in the community, preferably from the people of knowledge and piety. The wisdom is that by sharing the piece of date with a pious Muslim, it is a source of blessing and a hope that the child will also be pious and upright. [‘Umdat al-Qari, al-‘Aini]
-- Taken from Seeker's Guidance
Ukurasa wetu wa rasilimali juu ya Utamaduni wa Kuzaliwa wa Kiislamu ni kazi inayoendelea na itaendelea kusasishwa, inshAllah. Maua ya Maryam ni aina ya maua ya kipekee ambayo hutumiwa na akina mama wakati wa kuzaa. Inaitwa kwa majina mbalimbali kama vile Maua ya Maryam, Lily ya Bonde, chai ya Fatima, Kacep Fatima (kwa Bahasa), na Bibi Maryam Phool (kwa Kiurdu). Wakati umezamishwa ndani ya maji, ua hili huchanua polepole kwa muda wa saa kadhaa, na kutoa mandhari yenye utulivu na yenye kuvutia kwa akina mama Waislamu wanaozaa ili wafikirie. Wataalamu fulani wa mimea wanaamini kwamba maji ambayo mti huo huchanua yana uwezo wa kutibu ugonjwa wa kuzaa na wa baada ya kuzaa. Pia inaaminika kuwa na sifa za kutuliza na kutuliza, ikichangia kupumzika na hisia ya utulivu wakati wa kuzaa na kujifungua. Iwe mtu huchagua kunywa 'chao' hiyo au la, uwepo wa ua hilo hutoa mahali pazuri pa kutafakari wakati wa kujifungua. Adhan ya kwanza na Iqama ni desturi ya kipekee ya kiume ambayo hufanyika baada ya kuzaliwa kwa mtoto mchanga, na ni pamoja na kuombwa kwa sala ya kwanza na Iqama kwa mtoto mchanga. "Kulingana na dini ya Hanafi, ni jambo la haki kutoa adhan mbele ya mtoto anapozaliwa, ingawa sio lazima.""" Mtu anapaswa kugeuza uso wake upande wa kulia wakati wa kusema <unk>Hayya <unk>ala al-salah<unk> na upande wa kushoto wakati wa <unk>Hayya <unk>ala al-falah<unk> kama katika adhan ya kawaida. "Muhammad al-Muhtar Ibn 'Abidin, katika shule za Maliki, Shafi'i na Hanbali, adhan inashauriwa na sunnah, na inapaswa kutolewa katika sikio la kulia la mtoto na iqama inapaswa kutolewa katika sikio la kushoto.""" [al-Majmu' al-Nawawi; Mawahib al-Jaleel, al-Hattab; Kashaaf al-Qinaa' al-Bahuti] - Ilichukuliwa kutoka kwa Mwongozo wa Mtafutaji Kusomwa kwa Adhan ya kwanza kuna ishara ya kina zaidi kwani pia inawakilisha Adhan kwa sala ya mazishi ya mtoto (Janazah). Inatukumbusha juu ya hali ya maisha ya muda mfupi na kwamba kifo ni jambo lisiloepukika. Kwa kusali Adhan kwa mtoto baada ya kuzaliwa, ni kama kukumbusha kufurahia na kukuza ukuaji wa kiroho wa mtoto katika maisha yao yote, kuandaa yao kwa ajili ya kurudi yao ya mwisho kwa Allah. Tahniq ni zoea la kupaka mtoto mchanga mchele, asali, au kitu kingine kitamu kwenye mdomo au midomo yake. Mtume Muhammad (s.a.w.w.) alikuwa akifanya tahniq kwa watoto wachanga kwa kutafuna mchele au chakula kitamu na kisha kuuweka kinywani mwa mtoto. Hii inaweza kufanywa na mzazi, au mtu mnyoofu katika jamii, ikiwezekana kutoka kwa watu wa maarifa na uaminifu. "Hakika hekima ni kwamba kwa kushiriki kipande cha tarehe na Mislamu mwaminifu, ni chanzo cha baraka na matumaini kwamba mtoto pia atakuwa mwaminifu na mwema.""" [Umdat al-Qari, al-‘Aini] -- Ilichukuliwa kutoka kwa Mwongozo wa Mtafutaji