A Gift for Parents after Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Reviewed by: Imran Mogra, Birmingham, UK

Published by: London: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd, 2023, 88pp. ISBN:978-1915357335.

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As the title suggests this is a remedy for grief from the Islamic perspective informed by the two primary sources of Islam. However, it does not solely rely on these two sources for inspiration and solace. This small, hardcover and elegant book appropriately begins with Sūrah al-Fātiḥah about which the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) is quoted to have said that “there is a cure for everything in the Opening of the Book.” This is therefore a spiritually enriching and compassionate guide for those facing such a profound loss.

The author notes that miscarriage and stillbirth can be one of the most distressing and painful experiences a parent can go through and claims that there are few official mourning rituals with a loss of this kind. Hussain fittingly draws attention to the fact that it is often a taboo subject, and people are often uncomfortable talking about it. Hussain acknowledges and empathises with some of the experiences that a person might go through. Importantly, she recognises the uniqueness of the experience of such a great loss. She presents some profound insights including one that says that grief is the negative space left by love. The author normalises the shedding of tears by citing the example of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him). In doing so, the author has achieved a balance between the darkness of sorrow and the light of hope.