Natural Methods of Childbirth

Of the natural methods of childbirth, Lamaze is the most widely-known. Dr. Fernand Lamaze introduced this method in France,1951, after observing childbirth techniques used in Russia. Trademarks of the Lamaze method included its breathing techniques. These have been widely depicted and in some cases, misconstrued across the media. Another main tenet of the method was the belief that pain was an integral part of childbirth, but by that a woman could learn to be distracted from the pain by focusing her concentration on an object during labor.
Actually by this method, Lamaze also promote, support and protect normal birth:

* Labor begins on its own
* Freedom of movement throughout labor
* Continuous labor support
* No routine interventions
* Spontaneous pushing in upright or gravity-neutral positions
* No separation of mother and baby after birth, with unlimited opportunities for breastfeeding [source of this article is from here]

status of women in Islam

The status of the Muslim woman in Islaam is a very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Since adherence to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah

distances every Muslim - male or female - from being misguided in any matter...

The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some of which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father...

A man came to Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said: O Messenger of Allaah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied: "Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So he replied: "Then your father." [Related by al-Bukhaaree (no.5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu ‘anhu]. So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the like of kindness and good treatment than the father.

Islam

LOVE IN ISLAM
Love is one of the greatest blessings Allah has bestowed on humanity. Allah has created human nature in such a way that a person will take pleasure from loving and being loved, from friendship and from intimacy.
Being with people who live by the moral values of the Qur'an, enjoying love and friendship with them, brings a believer greater pleasure than many other blessings. Therefore, the Paradise that Allah has promised to His servants whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased is a place of extraordinary beauty in which true love, friendship and intimacy will be experienced with enormous joy for ever. The information Allah provides about the life of Paradise in the Qur'an, always refers to joy, friendship, love, conversation, pleasing words and peace. Everything that might prove an obstacle to love and friendship has been kept far removed from the people of Paradise. In one verse, for example, Allah has revealed that He will strip away any rancour in the hearts of the companions of Paradise (Surat al-A‘raf, 43). All vices that might represent an obstacle to love and friendship, such as jealousy, enmity, rivalry, anger, discord and touchiness, will be excluded from Paradise.

The Love for your Mother
From a tiny drop that becomes an embryo, the girl-child is born to be an honored part of God's plan. God states in the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an: "O humankind! Be conscious of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread countless men and women. Be conscious of God through Whom you demand your mutual rights and honor the wombs; God always watches over you" Qur'an 4:1

Motherhood
"And We have enjoined upon man to be good to his parents. With difficulty upon difficulty did his mother bear him and wean him for two years. Show gratitude Me and your parents; to Me us your final goal." (Qur'an 31:14)

Muslimah

When I receive email from my friend, I think it's very interesting to post this because as women we have to know what is our right as women in Islam and here is the article come from Middleeast.
Arab women lose again, this time in Kuwait
By Najla Al Awadhi, Special to Gulf News and published on June 06, 2008
For a second time in Kuwait's history, 27 women ran for parliament, and for the second time no Kuwaiti woman was elected.

What followed, was the appointment of two women by the Kuwaiti government to ministerial posts, and while they stood up to take the oath of office, nine parliamentarians from the self proclaimed "Islamist" and "tribal" groups stormed out in protest. They were claiming that the women ministers were in breach of the electoral laws, because they were not wearing the hijab (headscarf).

Kuwait's Islamist and tribal groups, who now dominate the parliament, have always opposed the presence of women in political office.

I followed the Kuwaiti elections and the debates with much interest. What amused me was the dialogue of whether Kuwaiti women were experienced enough to run for parliament, and what amazed me was the impassioned objection to women's participation from many who claimed that Islam and our traditions do not allow women to run for high political posts.

This took me back to over 1,400 years ago to a time in Arabia where it was common practice to bury alive female children as a precaution to avoid family shame, at a time where a man could marry a hundred wives and discard them with impunity, because a woman was akin to property.
It was in this age there lived a woman who was a widow and a trader. In her employment there was a kind, diligent, trustworthy man, 20 years her junior, and eventually she would ask him for his hand in marriage.
Can you imagine me asking for a man's hand in marriage today, 20 years my junior and the scandal that would cause? Some men even today are not comfortable with the idea of working for a woman. Yet this was Arabia over 1,400 years ago; the man in this story is the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him); and the woman in this story was his wife Khadija.

When the Prophet received his first revelation from the Angel Gabriel, he was overwhelmed with fear. It was Khadija who stood by him and calmed him and told him it was a sign of prophecy. Khadija was anything but conventional or submissive. She was bold, intelligent, kind and strong willed, and for the Prophet of Islam, she was the perfection of a woman.

Legacy

Her legacy is a message to all Muslims that women have not been created to be submissive or marginalised. Like a man, a woman must be the master of her own destiny and an active and equal partner in striving to develop more humane societies. This means being active in all spheres of life, including the political sphere where public policy is shaped.

So if Khadija was the perfection of a Muslim/Arab woman and if we were to build upon her legacy in terms of empowering women in our age, then why are we here in the Arab World in 2008 with not even one woman elected into Kuwait's parliament?

Partially, because we as women don't have enough faith in the ability of our sisters to lead, and this is due to our own self-ignorance and the lack of true solidarity between Arab and Muslim women in our societies.

In addition, it's partially because many men still view women's ability and role as limited. Also, many in their interpretations believe that religiously and traditionally a woman's place is outside the political sphere and preferably confined to the home.

Quota systems are a part of the solution to empowerment and gender equity, but greater than that is the need for the mass comprehension in our societies that the empowerment of women is not about women's rights or feminism.

The empowerment of women is a legacy Islam has granted us. It is an issue of human rights and primarily of survival which is linked to our region's goals of economic and sustainable development.

When you look at our population today, when you look at the demographics and the shrinking number of our citizens in many parts of the Gulf, you begin to realise that we need to be aggressive about empowering and tapping into all our human capital, regardless of gender, with a strict focus on ability and potential. This naturally gives us greater resources in our journey towards sustainable development.

So in the footsteps of the wife of the Prophet, I hope we as Muslims and Arabs will remember her legacy when we make judgments about the role of women in our society. I hope too that our Kuwaiti sisters will persevere, because I have always believed, that yes, a woman's place is at home but at the same time, it is also in the parliament.

Najla Al Awadhi is a member of the Federal National Council, Deputy CEO Dubai Media Incorporated and General Manager of Dubai One TV.

link to http://www.Muslimah Media Watch.blogspot.com, and you have to read.
thankyou

Women Veil

What the Bible Says

If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head. (1 Corinthians 11:6-10)

What the Qur'an Says

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. (Qur'an, 33:59)

And when you ask them (the wives of the Prophet) for anything you want, ask them from behind a curtain: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. (Qur'an, 33:53)

Commentary

The Bible instructs women to cover their heads. The purpose of the covering is to show the authority of men over them because men are the image and glory of Allah while women are the glory of men! Because of this teaching, some non-Muslims think that Muslim women, who wear the veil, are ill-treated and neglected.

Unlike the Bible, the Qur'an instructs women to wear the veil for their protection. The veil is one of the Islamic measures to create a righteous society and to block the roads leading to fornication and adultery. The Qur'an clarifies that the veil makes wicked men stay away from women. Furthermore, the veil purifies the heart from immoral thoughts and temptation because showing beauty may excite men's sexual feelings. On the other hand, the Qur'an allows women to show their beauty to other women, their husbands and some close relatives in addition to children.

More about the Issue of Modesty and Interaction

There exists, among Muslims a big gap between the ideal of the real. Cultural practices on both extremes do exist. Some Muslims emulate non Islamic cultures and adopt the modes of dress, unrestricted mixing and behavior resulting in corrupting influences of Muslims and endangering the family's integrity and strength(see : muslimbridges.com). On the other hand, in some Muslim cultural undue and excessive restrictions is not seclusion are believed to be the ideal. Both extremes seem to contradict the normative teachings of Islam and are not consistent with the virtuous yet participative nature of the society at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

Parameters of proper modesty for males and females (dress and behavior) are based on revelatory sources (the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah) and as such are seen by believing men and women as divinely based guidelines with legitimate aims, and divine wisdom behind them. They are not male imposed or socially imposed restrictions.

The notion of near total seclusion of women is alien to the prophetic period. Interpretation problems in justifying seclusion reflect, in part, cultural influences and circumstances in different Muslim countries.

Marry to Non Muslim

Muslim males are allowed to marry non-Muslim females but Muslim females are only allowed to marry Muslim males. You maybe surprised, but there is a good reason for this. It has to do with protecting the rights of women. Will explain it further in this article.

Muslim males are not allowed to marry any non-Muslim female. Only Christians and Jews (People of the Book) and not any other religion. This is due to the fact that the scriptures held sacred by Christians and Jews do contain large portions of revelation even though the texts have been distorted and changed. Consequently, in honor of the revelation still remaining in these texts, permission was granted to marry women who are "People of the Book". However, the condition of chastity is added to the permission mentioned in the Quran. Consequently, only a woman who's a virgin, divorcee or widow can be married.

The reason for allowing men and not women is in order to protect the woman's religion. If a Muslim man requested his Christian wife not to serve alcohol or pork in his house and that she not wear mini-skirts or kiss his friends, she could comply without affecting her religious teachings. However, if a Christian husband requested his Muslim wife to purchase alcohol and serve him pork, to wear mini skirts and may kiss his friends. It is natural for a wife to try to please her husband. In the case of the Muslim wife, that could lead to a compromise and possibly the gradual destruction of her faith.

Marriage to non-Muslims is discouraged in situations where Muslims are weak or in the minority in order to safeguard the religion of the children. If a Muslim man marries a non-Muslim woman in the West and their marriage ends in divorce, or the man dies, the courts will award custody of the children to the wife who will likely raise them as non-Muslims.

While it is very common for the Christian spouse to embrace Islam, it is not always the case "There is no compulsion in religion" Quran 2:256. A good Muslim friend of MuslimBridges married for over 25 years, takes his wife to Church every Sunday...hmhh

gender perspective

This paper is a brief review of the position and role of woman in society from an Islamic perspective. visit :(http://www.Muslim Bridges.org) The topic is divided into spiritual, economic, social, and political aspects see in .

The Spiritual Aspect

• According to the Qur'an, men and women have the same spiritual human nature:O mankind: Reverence your Guardian Lord Who created you from a single person created of like nature his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; reverence Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you. (Qur'an 4:1)

It is He who created you from a single person and made his mate of like nature in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy they both pray to Allah their Lord (saying): "If You give us a goodly child we vow we shall (ever) be grateful." (Qur'an 7:189)

(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him and Her is the One that hears and sees (all things.) (Qur'an 42:11)

• Both genders are recipients of the "divine breath" since they are created with the same human and spiritual nature (nafsin-waahidah):

But He fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks to you give (Qur'an 15:29)

• Both genders are dignified and are trustees of Allah on earth.

We have honored the children of Adam, provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors above a great part of Our Creation. (Qur'an 17:70)

Behold your Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said "Will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy (name)?" He said: "I know what you do not." (Qur'an 2:30)

• According to the Qur'an, woman is not blamed for the "fall of man." Pregnancy and childbirth are not seen as punishments for "eating from the forbidden tree." On the contrary, the Qur'an considers them to be grounds for love and respect due to mothers.

In narrating the story of Adam and Eve, the Qur'an frequently refers to both of them, never singling out Eve for the blame:

O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden and enjoy (its good things) as you [both] wish: but approach not this tree or you [both] run into harm and transgression. Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said "Your Lord only forbade you this tree lest you [both] should become angels or such beings as live for ever." And he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree their shame became manifest to them and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?" They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if you forgive us not and bestow not upon us Your mercy we shall certainly be lost." (Allah) said: "Get you [both] down with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time." He said: "Therein shall you [both] live and therein shall you [both] die; and from it shall you [both] be taken out (at last)." O you children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you but the raiment of righteousness that is the best. Such are among the signs of Allah that they may receive admonition! O you children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you in the same manner as he got your parents out of the garden stripping them of their raiment to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith. (Qur'an 7:19 27)

On the question of pregnancy and childbirth, the Qur'an states:

And We have enjoined on the person (to be good) to his/her parents: in travail upon travail did his/her mother bear his/her and in years twain was his/her weaning: (hear the command) "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal. (Qur'an 31:14)

We have enjoined on the person kindness to his/her parents: in pain did his/her mother bear him/her and in paid did she give him/her birth. The carrying of the (child) to his/her weaning is ( a period of) thirty months. At length when he/she reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years he/she says "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon both my parents and that I may work righteousness such as You may approve; and be gracious to me in my issue.Truly have I turned to You and truly do I bow (to You) in Islam [submission]." (Qur'an 46:15)

• Men and women have the same religious and moral duties and responsibilities. They both face the consequences of their deeds:

And their Lord has accepted of them and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be los the work of any of you be it male or female: you are members of one another ..." (Qur'an 3:195)

If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them. (Qur'an 4:124)

For Muslim men and women and for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Qur'an 33:35)

One Day shall you see the believing men and the believing women how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good news for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! To dwell therein for ever! This is indeed the highest Achievement!" (Qur'an 57:12)

• Nowhere does the Qur'an state that one gender is superior to the other. Some mistakenly translate "qiwamah" or responsibility for the family as superiority. The Qur'an makes it clear that the sole basis for superiority of any person over another is piety and righteousness not gender, color, or nationality:

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (one who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Qur'an 49:13)

• The absence of women as prophets or "Messengers of Allah" in prophetic history is due to the demands and physical suffering associated with the role of messengers and prophets and not because of any spiritual inferiority.