The Effect of Breastfeeding on the Formation of Islamic Character

The Effect of Breastfeeding on the Formation of Islamic Character

By: Miranti Dewi Pramaningtyas (NIK: 097110101)

For a mother, the process of breastfeeding a baby can be an extraordinary spiritual experience. Every mother has her own struggles in breastfeeding her baby. All because of such great affection for his baby. Supported by recommendations in health regarding exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by up to 2 years with complementary foods. These recommendations are in line with what is written in the Koran since about 15 centuries ago. The Qur'an clearly mentions in the letter Albaqarah verse 233 regarding the recommendation to breastfeed for up to 2 years. In this verse Allah says, which means "And mothers, let their children breastfeed for two full years, (that is) for those who want to perfect breastfeeding". This verse is also reinforced by Surah Al Ahqaf verse 46 which contains recommendations for weaning after 30 months. The meaning of 30 months in this verse is because the minimum gestational age that is considered sufficient for a fetus to be born healthily is 6 months. Therefore, the next 24 months are considered as the lactation period. This is how clear the recommendations for breastfeeding have been in the Koran since centuries ago. Modern medical science provided the evidence later.

The health benefits of breastfeeding have been widely discussed through various media. Apart from health benefits, breastfeeding is also beneficial for the development of Islamic character. Babies are creatures that quickly learn from their environment. Including from his mother. During the breastfeeding process, the baby's learning process continues. Babies receive a variety of tactile and sensory stimuli. Whatever the mother does will be a stimulus for the baby's learning. These stimuli include changes in the mother's emotions and calm. In several stories it is stated that the mothers of the great scholars in Islamic history had their own pleasure when they could breastfeed for a long time. Why is that? Because during the breastfeeding process, the mother can listen to the verses of the Koran for her baby longer. It is when listening to the verses of the Koran that the baby gets used to listening to divine words, giving spiritual nuances to his soul since he was small. In addition, some mothers from great scholars always take care of ablution while breastfeeding.

In the interpretation of Al Azhar written by Buya Hamka, it is told about the story of a great scholar, teacher of Imam Ghazali. The teacher in question is Imamul Haramain Abdul-malik al Juwaini. When he was a baby, his father, Abu Muhammad al Juwaini, held the principle that he was only breastfed by his mother. This was because his father only wanted his baby to be breastfed by his wife, who was pious and devout in worship. Until one day his wife was sick, and then the neighbors felt sorry for their baby. Then breastfeed the baby. Abu Muhammad, who knew about this, immediately took the baby and made efforts to make the baby spit out the milk he had just drunk. Abu Muhammad's actions were because he did not want his baby to be breastfed by a woman whose obedience to Allah was unknown. After growing up, the teacher from Imam Ghazali sometimes got angry while teaching. When he was done with his anger, he said that maybe this was due to the remaining milk that he did not have time to spit up. This story reinforces that what a baby drinks while breastfeeding can affect the personality and character of a child. Mother's shalihah is the main supporting factor. May mothers always be given shalihah and strength in breastfeeding and educating their sons and daughters to be righteous children. Amen.

 

Reference:

Hamka. 1982. Interpretation of Al Azhar juzu' 1. Jakarta, Panjimas Library Publisher

WHO. 2021. Breastfeeding in the Western Pacific. Accessed from Breastfeeding (who.int) on October 22, 2021

Kamila, HD 2021. Nuriye: The Womb of Women Who Make World Scholars. Accessed from Nuriye: Womb of Women who Create World Scholars – Inspiration for Muslim Women (rahma.id) on October 22, 2021