Sociology & Social Work Department

Chapter Six, Session 1 & 2

The right of the child to health

Course: Islam & Social Work
Degree program
Instructor: Sharmarke A.Yusuf
 PRESENTATION OUTLINE
❖The presentation will be in two
sections

❑Section one: Introduction and overview

❑Section two: Child care requires

 SECTION ONE

INTRODUCTION
AND
OVERVIEW
 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

• The purposes of Islamic Sharia, in its organization of the

relations among humans, and between humans and the
Almighty Allah, Islamic Sharia seeks to preserve five
essential things that no human community is complete
without.
 CONT..

• If one of these five essentials is

compromised, the entire community will be
compromised.
 WHAT ARE THE FIVE?
✓ The five essential preservation are the following…

• The preservation of

(1) Religion, the preservation

(2) life, the preservation of the

(3) progeny, the preservation of the

(4) Mind and the preservation of

(5) Property
THE APPROACH ADOPTED BY ISLAMIC
LEGISLATION HAS TWO PRINCIPLES

• First, Islam prohibits any action that may lead to the

destruction of human life.

• Second, Islam has a set of rules that collectively contribute

to preserving and protecting human life.
CARE FOR EARLY INFANCY AND THE RIGHT
OF THE CHILD TO LIVE IN HEALTH AND
HAPPINESS

• It is well known that half of the deaths that occur in

the first year of infancy, during the first month.

• 75 per cent of these deaths occur during the first

week after birth, in addition to the disabilities that
afflict children during this period.
ISLAM HAS A SET OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES
TO PRESERVE THE LIFE AND HEALTH OF THE
CHILD
 AHADITH

• This is echoed in the Hadith: “It is a grave sin for one

to neglect a person whom he is responsible for
sustaining.”

• A person who does not care for those for whom he is

responsible, with the consequence of compromising
them, would indeed be committing a grave sin.18

18 Narrated by Abu Dawud in his Sunan, Kitab Al-Zakat

 PRESERVING THE LIFE AND HEALTH OF
THE CHILD
• Islam’s attention to preserving the life and health of the
child amounts to attending to the strength of the Muslims
as a whole.

• First, Islam has provided rules for the Muslim individual

and a well-organized scheme of life to prevent ill health.

• Second, to Islam itself, good health is the best bounty

Allah may bestow upon any person.
PARENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESERVE
THE LIFE, HEALTH AND GROWTH OF
THEIR CHILD
• The Islamic Sharia entrusts parents with the
responsibility of preserving the life and health of
their child, and providing care as he or she grows.

• Islam made, Care and protection are the parents’

responsibility
 CONT..

• Parents have a duty to protect their

youngsters from sickness and preserve
them from dangers that may threaten
their lives and impede their growth.
 CONT..

• Parents have the obligation to take charge of

all the affairs of their child, to guide, provide
appropriate nutrition, and preserve or
protect him/her from whatever sickness or
disease causes harm.
 CONT..

• Islam warns us against neglecting the need to

provide our children with medical treatment or
with preventive measures against fatal diseases or
other illnesses.

• Islam prefers a strong believer to a weak one.

 AHAADITH

• The Messenger of Allah, Peace Be Upon Him, said:

“A strong believer is better and more beloved to
Allah than a weak believer.”

• The Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, said: “It is a grave

sin for one to neglect a person whom he is
responsible for sustaining.”
 CONT..

• The Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, said:

“Each of you is a shepherd and each of
you is accountable for his or her flock.”
 SECTION TWO

CHILD
CARE REQUIRES
 CHILD CARE REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING
MEASURES

I. Prior to marriage a) Nutrition and

II. After marriage breastfeeding

III. Prior to pregnancy b) Vaccination according

to the rules of sharia
IV. During pregnancy
c) Personal cleanliness
V. At delivery
and hygiene in Islam
 PRIOR TO PREGNANCY
i. Delaying pregnancy

ii. Proper nutrition to maintain a woman’s health

iii. Appropriate spacing b/w pregnancies

iv. Prevention from and treating microbial and

parasitic infections

v. Seeking health consultation prior to pregnancy

 DURING PREGNANCY
i. Systematic follow up (antenatal care)

ii. Proper and healthy nutrition

iii. Refraining from smoking and avoiding unwarranted

medications, hard work and pollutants

iv. Attending to the woman’s psychological needs,

such as treating her well
 CONT..

v. Early detection of health problems and

their immediate treatment

vi. Appropriate vaccinations

vii.Providing appropriate consultation

 AT DELIVERY
i. Delivery should be conducted with the
assistance of trained and qualified medical
providers.
ii. Delivery should take place in a properly
equipped health facility.
iii. Breastfeeding should commence from the first
hour after delivery.
 CONT..

iv. Those concerned must pay attention to family

cohesion and provide the newly born baby and
his or her mother with the care they need.

v. Any medical problems should be identified and

treatment to both the newly born baby and its
mother.
 CONT..

vi. Those concerned should provide whatever

is deemed necessary to advise the mother
about natural and exclusive breastfeeding,
Nutrition And Breastfeeding

• QUR’AN
VACCINATION ACCORDING THE
RULES OF SHARIA

• QUR’AN
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS AND
HYGIENE IN ISLAM
• QUR’AN
 Session End
Discussion & Questions