The Polemic of Lotus Birth Practice from Islamic Law Perspective

Nowadays, there are various practices in societyrelated to the birth process, including the managementof the umbilical cord and the placenta. It involvesthe practice of religious teachings, local traditions,alternative medicine as well as modern medicine.Among the practices include the lotus birth, whichis to keep the baby’s umbilical cord until it falls byitself. This practice poses a polemic between themedical experts and the lotus birth practitioners.In this regard, this study will discuss the practice oflotus birth, the views of medical experts and lotusbirth practitioners as well as the analysis of thepractice from the perspective of Islamic ruling. Toachieve this objective, researchers used a qualitative approach, including both a library research and fieldresearch involving interviews with medical expertsand lotus birth practitioners. The data collected wasanalysed inductively and comparatively. The findingsshow that the practice of lotus birth is contrary toIslamic ruling which is clearly stated that cuttingof the umbilical cord is mandatory. In addition, thepractice of lotus birth does not specifically benefit thebaby and yet it exposes the baby and the mother tothe risk of morbidity and mortality. In this regard,these pseudo-scientific practices should be abolishedby mothers for the right of the child and the benefitsof the newborn baby to receive the best treatment inline with the advancement of medical world.