Husbands in the Delivery Room

Walaikum assalam,

Legally speaking, there is nothing wrong with it. Culturally, it is alien to most traditional Muslim cultures, because women would be there and men would thus stay away.

Now, in many cases it may be wise (esp. in the absence of extended religious family members) for the husband to attend:

* to offer spiritual and emotional support;

* to help his wife pray (which she still has to do, even if by tayammum and head movements)

* to keep her awrah [nakedness] covered beyond the reasonable amount necessary...

* for there to be another believer in the room to witness the great act of a child being born, a tremendous sign of the Creator...

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.