How Can I Balance Pregnancy with Worship?
Answered by Shaykh Bassem Itani
Question
I have two sons, Alhamdulillah, and I am pregnant with my third. I feel a lot of pressure and lack the motivation to read the Quran, memorize it, and perform voluntary prayers. What should I do?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.
My sister, may Allah (Most High) help you with your responsibilities. During pregnancy, you are experiencing many symptoms. A pregnant woman goes through a nine-month period during which she may suffer from nausea and dizziness. There are times when she feels exhausted because her body is strained to nourish and support the pregnancy. There are also periods of psychological changes, including depression and anxiety, among other conditions, and the severity of symptoms varies from one pregnant woman to another. Pregnancy alone puts psychological pressure on you, and caring for two young children also significantly adds to your stress.
Great Reward
A pregnant woman who endures patiently and seeks reward from Allah (Most High) has great virtue: significant reward with Allah and the expiation of her sins through the physical pains and psychological distress she endures during pregnancy. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
“No Muslim suffers the prick of a thorn or more than that, but Allah will raise him one degree in status and erase a sin because of that.” [Muslim]
It is also reported: “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” [Bukhari]
Imagine, during the nine months of pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding, with all the pains, aches, and psychological and physical exhaustion, how many rewards you will accumulate, and sins will be expiated, known only to Allah.
Like a Warrior!
In this stage, you are like a warrior in the cause of Allah. Just as a warrior dedicates their life and soul to revive faith and religion and to uphold the word of Allah, you are dedicating your life and soul for the sake of bringing a life into this world that will carry this faith and spread this religion. It is narrated in the hadith:
“A woman has a reward from her pregnancy to her delivery and to her weaning like the one struggling in the cause of Allah. And if she dies during that, she will have the reward of a martyr.” [‘Abd bin Humayd, al-Muntakhab min Musnad ‘Abd bin Humayd]
So, do not blame yourself. Look to the merciful Islamic Sharia, which permits a pregnant woman to break her fast during Ramadan if she fears for herself or her unborn child, or for both of their well-being. She can make up the missed days of fasting when she is able. Allah knows the struggles of a pregnant woman and has thus made concessions for her out of mercy.
“How could He not know His Own creation? For He (alone) is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.” [Quran, 67:14]
Therefore, you are in an exceptional situation that cannot be compared with others.
Steps
What should you do, my sister, in the condition you have described to us?! Please follow the below to the best of your ability:
- Believe that you are worshiping Allah through your pregnancy, patiently enduring and seeking reward from Him. A unique aspect of Islamic legislation is that it considers many forms not traditionally viewed as worship, like prayer, fasting, and Hajj, as acts of worship.
- Be diligent in maintaining your obligatory prayers without missing any.
- Continue to perform the emphasized Sunnah prayers as much as you can, and know that you can perform voluntary prayers (nawafil) while seated.
- Persist in reciting the Quran as much as you can, even if it’s just a little, even one page a day. Alternatively, read the virtues of certain Suras, like Tabarak (al-Mulk), al-Waqi‘a, and Yasin, as much as you are able. Remember, a little but consistent act is better than a lot that is sporadic.
- If you find it challenging to review the Quran, then listen to it more through recordings. This can help you remember the Quranic verses, even minimally.
- If your voluntary prayers decrease, then increase in remembrance (dhikr) and supplication with your tongue, like saying “Tahlil” (saying La ilaha ill Allah) and sending blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Do this as much as you can from time to time.
Divine Generosity
Know, my sister, that the Divine generosity is greater than you can imagine. A pregnant woman is like a sick person, and a sick person is granted the same reward for the deeds they used to perform when they were healthy. You will be rewarded for the acts you used to do in your state of health and well-being. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“When a servant of Allah falls ill or travels, Allah writes for him the same rewards that he used to get when he was healthy and at home.” [Bukhari]
So, do not overburden yourself or be too harsh on yourself. “Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford.” [Quran, 2:286]
I pray to Allah that you complete your pregnancy with goodness and safety.
And Allah is the Guardian of success.
[Shaykh] Bassem Itani
[Shaykh] Bassem Itani
