Rights of the Child in Islam - II

04/01/2012| IslamWeb

The rights of the child after birth:

First: The right to nourishment (breastfeeding)

Breastfeeding is a physical and psychological process that has a far-reaching effect on the child’s physical, emotional and social growth as a newborn and then as a young child.

The Islamic Sharee‘ah cherishes breastfeeding and stresses its importance and role in protecting the child against physical diseases and psychological problems that affect babies who depend on artificial milk.

Allah The Almighty commanded the woman to breastfeed her baby for two complete years, considering this one of the child’s rights. Allah The Almighty Says in The Quran (what means): {Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable.}[Quran 2:233]

Modern medical and psychological studies prove that the two-year period is very important for the child’s physical and psychological health, but the bounty and blessing of Allah The Almighty upon the Muslim nation preceded the results of modern research and experiments of doctors and psychiatrists.

During his early days in this world and after leaving his warm natural incubator where he spent a long period, the infant needs physical nourishment and emotional care to make up for what he had been used to when he was inside his mother’s womb.

Therefore, we find that the first thing the mother does after delivery is to breastfeed her baby, guided by the nature upon which The Creator has created her. Mother’s milk has many advantages. Its ingredients are balanced, free from microbes, and provide immunity against diseases. In addition, it includes protein that accelerates digestion and balanced amounts of minerals and salts like potassium and sodium that facilitate kidney function, and vitamins A and C.

As for the psychological and social benefits of breastfeeding, it provides the baby with emotional warmth and security when he attaches himself to his mother and feels her heart beat. Psychologists pointed out that breastfeeding not only satisfies the baby's physical needs but also his comprehensive social and psychological needs. This applies to both the mother and her baby, for it is the first opportunity for social interaction between them.

An important question to address is: Why is the period of breastfeeding estimated at two years?

Allah The Almighty knows that during this period the baby is in urgent need of healthy and balanced nutrition to cope during this growth spurt. During this period, the baby’s growth factors are released, and we notice that his body grows quickly. The first two years of the baby’s life also witness rapid sensory and kinetic development, as the baby starts moving his legs, then learning how to sit, crawl, stand, and finally walk. Furthermore, the baby also learns how to speak, acquires language, and he grows more independent and self-reliant. The baby also learns how to socially interact with the outside world.

This period ends with weaning, which requires patience, forbearance and a gradual approach. The mother should never wean her baby suddenly, because this causes a severe psychological shock to him, especially if the mother uses primitive methods.

The weaning process may be carried out more effectively through replacing one or two of the breast feeds with food or a cup of milk in place of the nursing bottle for a week.

Clearly, the Sharee‘ah pays special attention to breastfeeding and considers it a right of the child. However, the responsibilities of this right are shared between both parents, because the father is also responsible for providing the mother with food and clothes so she can dedicate herself to her baby.

In this way, both parents play this important role within the Sharee‘ah-approved framework, under which they are both obliged to take care of the suckling child and protect him to the maximum of their capacity, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.}[Quran 2:286]

Rights of the Child in Islam – I
Rights of the Child in Islam - III
Rights of the Child in Islam - IV