Prayer TimesThe traditions of our people are increasingly being filled with customs previously unknown to us. One such custom is the gender party, where a pregnant woman or her close friends surprise the expectant father by revealing the gender of the baby.
After receiving the ultrasound results, the woman may announce the baby's gender in various creative ways—through the color of balloons, the color of a cake, or other hidden items in a box. There are even services that organize such parties professionally.
In the Qur'an: "Allah knows what every female bears and what the wombs lose [prematurely] or exceed. Everything with Him is by due measure." (Ra'd 13:8)
Today, we may be able to determine the gender of a baby through ultrasound. However, only Allah knows how that child will come into the world and how they will live their life.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The keys of the unseen are five; none knows them except Allah: no one knows what will happen tomorrow, no one knows what a woman will give birth to, no one knows when it will rain, no one knows where a person will die, and no one knows when the Hour will come except Allah." (Bukhari) Therefore, celebrating and holding a party for an unborn child is considered inappropriate.
Secondly, engaging in practices not mentioned or prescribed in our religion opens the door to bid'ah (sinful innovation).
Thirdly, holding such gatherings and spending money on them without benefit is considered extravagance.
Fourthly, imitating the customs of non-religious societies can lead a person astray.
Fifthly, in our tradition, pregnant women were careful to protect themselves from the evil eye and considered it shameful to publicize their condition.
Hasan AMANKUL,
"Munara" newspaper, No. 20, 2020
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.