Jun 16 2007
A Different Kind of Baby Shower
As I am fast approaching my due date (insha’Allah) one of my friends threw a baby shower for me. Not being materialistic/consumerists sorts my husband and I felt it really important that it not be an occasion for which the sisters felt they needed to shop. We have either bought or gotten the [hand-me-down] things we need, alhamdullilah from friends anyway.
So, I asked the sisters to instead of bringing a physical gift to bring duas and advice instead. Alhamdullilah, this worked out really well. We had a great afternoon of sisters-only conversation, fellowship, food and fun.
We ended up sitting in a circle as one by one the sisters (starting with the sisters with the oldest kids and then moving down) talked about their experiences as mothers, gave advice and offered duas that had helped them through labor or difficult times.
I felt truly honored and supported and insha’Allah will be able to use the advice they gave. I also noticed that as we talked several of the sisters’ teenage daughters were listening intently from the edges of the circle. This was nice to see, as I guessed our comments would provide some insight for them as young women on being a Muslim wife and mother.
Some surahs suggested by the sisters at my shower:
Surah Maryam
Surah Yusuf - One sister suggested reciting or reading it in translation over three fruits that you later eat. She said she had been given this idea by an older sister and later did some reading about the possibility of objects becoming imprinted with energy - in this case, the potent energy of the Qur’an
Several sisters talked of the usefulness of having my husband read Qur’an or make dua during the labor. Not always that well understood by the hospital staff [mercifully, we’re planning a home birth, insha’Allah], according to one sister who said that her sister’s husband had been told to stop reading from his ‘book’ and help when he was reading aloud to her sister from the Qur’an. I guess it escaped the staff that reading from a ‘book’ could be a help to anyone…
Also mentioned - reading aloud from Qur’an to the baby (and playing the recitation on tape/CD) and setting aside time each day to read from Qur’an.
“…whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan (note: Satan) and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing” 2.256
First posted on July 19, 2006
