Religious and Social Implications of Calling a Chamārin at the Time of Childbirth
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 39
Topic: Islamic Ruling on Calling a Chamārin During Childbirth
What is the Shar‘ī ruling on calling a Chamārin (a Hindu birth attendant) at the time of childbirth?
In Indian Muslim society, the following practices are commonly observed:
◈ When a woman is near childbirth, a Chamārin (Hindu midwife) is summoned.
◈ She is tasked with taking care of the mother and newborn.
◈ This practice is considered so essential that if a Muslim family refrains from calling a Chamārin and instead appoints an experienced Muslim woman for the task,
◈ they are criticized within the community.
◈ At times, such families are even socially boycotted or excommunicated.
However, the clear reality is that a Chamārin:
◈ Is a polytheist, disbeliever, and holds impure beliefs, similar to other Hindus.
So, what does the Sharīʿah say about this practice?
Questioner: ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, Post Office Katra Bāzār, District Gonda
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ Those who believe that it is obligatory or essential to call a Chamārin at the time of childbirth,
◈ and those who reproach or socially isolate families who do not follow this practice,
◈ are acting in ignorance, stupidity, and sin.
✔ Such individuals are utterly ignorant, foolish, uncivilized, and sinful.
✔ To appoint a clean, dignified, experienced Muslim woman—free from superstitions—or a dignified Hindu midwife:
◈ is superior from a Sharʿī standpoint,
◈ more appropriate rationally,
◈ and better from a medical perspective as well.
Chamārins are generally:
◈ Dirty
◈ Clumsy
◈ Superstitious
◈ Ignorant
◈ Inexperienced
✔ Therefore, calling a Chamārin for childbirth is neither appropriate nor commendable in any respect—
✔ let alone considering it necessary or obligatory.
✔ However, if at the time of childbirth, a Chamārin or Bhangin is called solely for the purpose of cleaning impurities or bodily waste of the mother:
◈ Then both are equal in this context.
◈ There is no Sharʿī prohibition in this matter.
◈ A Muslim woman may also be assigned this duty.
◈ Islam does not declare such service as forbidden for Muslims.
✔ To consider something as necessary or obligatory while the Sharīʿah has not declared it so,
✔ is nothing but a satanic whispering (waswasah).
Written by:
ʿUbaydullāh al-Mubārakpūrī al-Raḥmānī
Teacher, Madrasah Dār al-Ḥadīth al-Raḥmāniyyah, Badlahī
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 39 Topic: Islamic Ruling on Calling a Chamārin During Childbirth❖ Question:
What is the Shar‘ī ruling on calling a Chamārin (a Hindu birth attendant) at the time of childbirth?
❖ Background of the Question:
In Indian Muslim society, the following practices are commonly observed:
◈ When a woman is near childbirth, a Chamārin (Hindu midwife) is summoned.
◈ She is tasked with taking care of the mother and newborn.
◈ This practice is considered so essential that if a Muslim family refrains from calling a Chamārin and instead appoints an experienced Muslim woman for the task,
◈ they are criticized within the community.
◈ At times, such families are even socially boycotted or excommunicated.
However, the clear reality is that a Chamārin:
◈ Is a polytheist, disbeliever, and holds impure beliefs, similar to other Hindus.
So, what does the Sharīʿah say about this practice?
Questioner: ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, Post Office Katra Bāzār, District Gonda
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ Considering the Chamārin as Necessary: Ignorance and Sin
◈ Those who believe that it is obligatory or essential to call a Chamārin at the time of childbirth,
◈ and those who reproach or socially isolate families who do not follow this practice,
◈ are acting in ignorance, stupidity, and sin.
✔ Such individuals are utterly ignorant, foolish, uncivilized, and sinful.
❖ The Preferred Approach According to Sharīʿah, Intellect, and Medicine:
✔ To appoint a clean, dignified, experienced Muslim woman—free from superstitions—or a dignified Hindu midwife:
◈ is superior from a Sharʿī standpoint,
◈ more appropriate rationally,
◈ and better from a medical perspective as well.
❖ The Reality of Chamārins:
Chamārins are generally:
◈ Dirty
◈ Clumsy
◈ Superstitious
◈ Ignorant
◈ Inexperienced
✔ Therefore, calling a Chamārin for childbirth is neither appropriate nor commendable in any respect—
✔ let alone considering it necessary or obligatory.
❖ No Objection in Cases of Cleaning:
✔ However, if at the time of childbirth, a Chamārin or Bhangin is called solely for the purpose of cleaning impurities or bodily waste of the mother:
◈ Then both are equal in this context.
◈ There is no Sharʿī prohibition in this matter.
◈ A Muslim woman may also be assigned this duty.
◈ Islam does not declare such service as forbidden for Muslims.
❖ Correction of Belief:
✔ To consider something as necessary or obligatory while the Sharīʿah has not declared it so,
✔ is nothing but a satanic whispering (waswasah).
Written by:
ʿUbaydullāh al-Mubārakpūrī al-Raḥmānī
Teacher, Madrasah Dār al-Ḥadīth al-Raḥmāniyyah, Badlahī
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
