In Islam, the status and rulings regarding a baby who dies in the womb depend on the stage of gestation, particularly whether the fetus had reached the stage of ensoulment (ruh).
Stages of Fetal Development and Islamic Rulings
The Islamic tradition recognizes distinct stages in fetal development, as described in the Quran and Hadith. A key marker is the point when the fetus is believed to receive a soul.
Ensoulment
Generally, ensoulment is believed to occur around 120 days (approximately four months) of gestation. This is based on a well-known hadith:
"Verily, each one of you is constituted in his mother's womb for forty days as a Nutfah (drop of fluid), then it becomes an Alaqah (clot of blood) for a similar period, then it becomes a Mudghah (lump of flesh) for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his deeds, his livelihood, his lifespan, and whether he will be blessed or wretched (in the Hereafter). Then the soul is breathed into him…” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Rulings Based on Gestational Age
The rulings pertaining to the death of a baby in the womb differ based on whether ensoulment had occurred:
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Before 120 Days (Approximately 4 Months):
- The fetus is not given a name.
- It is typically wrapped in a cloth and buried without a formal Janazah (funeral) prayer. Some scholars state that washing the fetus is not required.
- The parents are encouraged to seek forgiveness and pray for their loss.
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After 120 Days (Approximately 4 Months):
- The fetus is considered to have a soul.
- It should be given a name.
- It should be washed (Ghusl).
- It should be wrapped in a shroud (Kafan).
- The Janazah (funeral) prayer is performed.
- It is buried in a Muslim cemetery.
Impact on Parents
Regardless of the gestational age, the death of a baby in the womb is a significant loss for the parents. Islam offers solace and emphasizes the importance of patience and seeking reward from Allah. The hadith referenced, suggesting that a stillborn child will intercede for its parents on the Day of Judgment, provides comfort. This emphasizes the profound connection between parent and child, even in cases of loss before birth. The excerpt states: “Surely the stillborn baby will argue with its Lord for its parents to be entered into Jannah, Allah will say, 'Admit your parents into Jannah. ' Then it will take them out of the fire with its umbilical cord and admit them into Jannah.”
Summary
In summary, if a baby dies in the womb before approximately 120 days of gestation, it is not given a formal Islamic funeral (Janazah prayer). However, if the death occurs after 120 days, the baby is treated with the same respect as a born child who has died, including being named, washed, shrouded, prayed over (Janazah), and buried in a Muslim cemetery. The parents are always encouraged to exercise patience and seek Allah's blessings in such a trying time.
