Heaven Under Your Feet: Pregnancy for Muslim Women

by Umm Hasan Bint Salim

Heaven Under Your Feet is the perfect book to accompany you along this precious phase in your life.
From the moment you find out you are pregnant right through labour, Umm Hasan answers your questions, addresses your concerns and offers practical advice from an Islamic perspective of how to make the most of your pregnancy.
Written in consultation with Muslim medical professionals with input from Islamic scholars, this is a book that no Muslim family expecting a baby should be without.
Umm Hasan graduated from Oxford University in Experimental Psychology. She has studied at Darul-Uloom, Oxford and is currently enrolled with Al-Qalam Institute, Leicester. She is a full-time mother and home educator of six children.
Originally published 14 years ago, this is the updated and revised Second Edition.

Genres: Islam, Parenting, Nonfiction, Religion

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Umm Hasan Bint Salim graduated from Oxford University in experimental Psychology and has also studied at a traditional Darul Ulum.

Reviews

[P ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Deutsche Übersetzung „Das Paradies zu Deinen Füßen“ vom Ilm Verlag gelesen)

[SISTERS Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first-time Muslimah mother-to-be usually spends a great deal of time looking for almost every resource to help her through the nine-month journey of pregnancy and the countless months of motherhood thereafter. Usually, this search for information will include not only information about pregnancy and motherhood from a biological and scientific point of view, but from an Islamic perspective as well.

Heaven Under Your Feet: Pregnancy for Muslim Women is an excellent read for the pregnant Muslimah. Umm Hasan, the author, does a wonderful job of discussing pregnancy for Muslim women in a holistic manner, rather than focusing on the mere details of fiqh-related issues.

The book is divided into several parts: “You,” “Your Baby,” and “Labour and Birth.” Each section examines the different stages of pregnancy through a positive, reassuring, dhikr-orientated lens. Umm Hasan encourages pregnant women to view their pregnancy as both a gift and a challenge from Allah I, as well as a means of growing closer to Him and earning Jannah.

In the chapter entitled “You,” common issues such as prayer, fasting, Hajj and ‘Umrah are covered, although not in extensive detail; however, I would also recommend that the fiqh rulings mentioned in the book should be double-checked with other Islamic sources for accuracy.

Other pregnancy-related topics, such as physical and mental health, are tied in with gentle reminders to turn to Allah I, thank Him for His blessings, and use times of difficulty as prime opportunities for du’a.

The section on “Your Baby” is put together well, listing and explaining some of the sunan regarding newborns, and mentioning suggestions on how to connect your infant to Allah I even before its birth. Umm Hasan does an excellent service by providing many ahadith and ayaat relevant to the topics she includes.

The final portion of the book is dedicated to “Labour and Birth.” Here, the author takes a quick look at birth plans, preparing a birth partner, a “Muslimah’s birthing kit,” pain relief options and the homebirth alternative. What is refreshing is that she is able to link various medical facts with their Islamic benefits and always emphasises that no matter what choices are made, the ultimate success of the labour and birth are dependent upon Allah I.

All in all, Heaven Under Your Feet: Pregnancy for Muslim Women is easy to read, easy to digest and is great at helping pregnant Muslim women incorporate spirituality into their pregnancy. While it would have been nice if the book also discussed the situations of those with miscarriages and still-born infants, it nonetheless remains an informative guide and wonderful resource for the pregnant Muslim woman.

Umm Khadijah (AnonyMouse) for March 2013 issue of SISTERS magazine.

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read with a lot of information. Eventhough I already knew most of the stuff, it's nice to go over it again and can be useful for people who might not know as much.

Includes both religious and social sides of things which is a nice balance. However, I found there are some statements that could have been backed up with reasons and the author could have mentioned that there are varying opinions on the matter.

Take with a pinch of salt - as you would any non-fiction, religiously motivated script. Also, understand that you may not believe/follow/interpret certain bits of faith in the way the author does.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Islamic resource for women undergoing this beautiful journey. What I liked about this book is it merged scientific facts about pregnancy, labour and after birth that midwives and doulas share on the internet (delayed cord clamping, forms of pain relief) with what is said about in Islam. I learnt that we should bury placenta and umbilical cord and that the baby’s head should be shaved and equivalent of it in silver should be given in charity. There is also an appendix of general duas and duas to be read in labour.

[Abedin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've already known most of the information the book provides, but it's a good book for someone who is going through pregnancy for the first time. The author focuses on the spiritual sides of pregnancy in Islamic perspectives, which is the strongest point of the book. Additionally, she addresses some of the most common problems such as the relationship with the husband during that time, emotional health, and future planning. This is fine as a good reminder.

[Fatima Mubeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good read, but i was hoping for a little more spiritual depth from Islamic perspective. loved those duas for labor at the end of the book!

[Fadeelah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish it

[Sabina Abdur Rahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband bought this book for me during the early stages of my pregnancy and I'm ever so grateful that he did. I found something which I could relate to and turn to when in need of some enlightenment.

I found this book to be very well written and informative, providing caring and encouraging advice for first time Muslim mothers-to-be. The book is divided into several parts: "You", "Your Baby" and "Labour and Birth". Each section examines the different stages of pregnancy through a positive, reassuring and dhikr-orientated lens.

This is the first Islamic book that I have come across that really talks you through everything about your pregnancy. It provides valuable information on how to start making everlasting impressions on ones baby, months before birth; what and how you can prepare your birth plan, and reminders of the things we must pay special attention to during our visits to the hospital.

Overall, I have found this book to be a lovely and beneficial read. I would definitely recommend this to expecting mother out there. The author encourages pregnant women to view their pregnancy as both a gift and a challenge from Allah, as a means of growing closer to Him and entering Jannah in sha'Allah ♡

[Ali Ftoh]

iam interested

[Shaida Jabeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A reassuring book for first time mums. An easy read which makes you think and feel differently about your pregnancy. Written in a non judgemental way.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Raudah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pregnancy can be hard so its nice to read reminders of its blessings and how important is the amanah given to you. It discusses the basic topics surrounding pregnancy. I may not agree with all of it (for me, I did not agree that there is not much benefit about having a husband around during labour), the author acknowledges that every woman will have different preferences and concludes that in the end the decision is entirely up to you.