What should I do if the doctor suggests removing my baby after a missed miscarriage diagnosis?

Answer:

In the name of Allah the Creator

We are sorry to hear about your present situation respected sister in Islam and Inshallah we will make Dua for you and your family at this time of distress.

From what you have said one can say that what ever happens in the world only happens by the will and wisdom of Allah. Nothing is beyond him and every hardship we face is a stepping stone for us to attain something greater, Inshallah.

Allah says twice in the Quran :

So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief:

Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. (Surah Al-Inshirah, Verse 5-6)

In respect to your inquiry, it is permissible and Halal for you to consider the other two options (Dilation and Curettage or orally administered tablets). By leaving it unseen to it may cause harm to you, which Shariah forbids. One understands that it may be difficult to come to terms with at first but you must be ready to accept the fact that there is a very high probability that the doctors and midwives are correct in their diagnosis regarding your child. This is because of the extremely high accuracy rate of the scan. The option to consider would be that which the doctor advisers you at the time. There is full Shariah permissibility all three options. But the finale option you take is to your discretion. From thorough research and consulting with Muslim doctors, one of whom specializes in the field of childbirth, I can say that the methods are safe and are permissible in Islam but the least favorable to most women is the Dilation and Curettage.

The child whom Allah was to grant you He has taken back for reasons and grounds known only to Him. Words alone do not do justice to speak of the love which Allah holds for his bondman and nor can words dignify the description of Allah’s wisdom.

At such a point we learn from the Glorious Quran:

“And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention”. (Surah Al-Inshirah, Verse 8)

Furthermore it has been narrated from Thabit Al-Bunani that:

Anas bin Malik said to a woman of his family, “Do you know such-and-such a woman?” She replied, “Yes.” He said, “Rasulullah passed by her while she was weeping over a grave, and he said to her, ‘Be afraid of Allah and be patience.’

The woman said (to the Prophet). ‘Go away from me, for you do not know my calamity.'”

Anas added, “The Prophet left her and proceeded. A man passed by her and asked her, ‘What has Allah’s Apostle said to you?’

She replied, ‘I did not recognize him.’

The man said, ‘He was Allah’s Apostle.”‘ Anas added, “So that woman came to the gate of the Prophet and she did not find a gate-keeper there, and she said,

‘O Allah’s Apostle! By Allah. I did not recognize you!’ The Prophet said, ‘No doubt, patience is at the first stroke of a calamity. (Sahih Al-Bukhari 9.268)

From the above mentioned Ahaadith we learn that the greatest of Mankind notified his beloved Ummah of two things to adhere to at the time of a close passing. There were patience and fear of Allah, because it is with Allah command and wisdom everything takes place. We must remember this always.

In answer to the last part of your question regarding the tying of the knot around the navel, I am personally unfamiliar of such a practice, thus cannot comment on the authenticity or validity of this. Where there is a need for “Rukya” (Amulets and Talizmans, Ta’aweez) one must abide to the guidelines taught in the Noble Quran and righteous Ahaadith.

After this has transpired because the child is a stillborn, the Shariah ruling is that it is wrapped in a clean pure piece of cloth and buried. Because it was born still there will be no Janazaah (funeral pray) to recite over it.

“Innalillahi wa innaa ilaihi raajeoon” Verily to Allah we belong and to him is our return. (Tirmizi)

And Allah knows best
13 September , 2005

Reference:

Sahih Al-Bukhari
Sahih Muslim
Tirmizi Al-Hidaayah Vol 1,Kitaabul Janaaiz
Kitaabul Azkaar by Imam Nawawi

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Mufti Abubakr Karolia
Batley, U.K
Founder of the “Islamic Foundation for Theology and Research” (I.F.T.A.R)