Hamim Ilyas, Chair of the Muhammadiyah Council for Fatwa and Renewal, emphasized the importance of collaborative parenting between spouses, citing Quranic principles.
He focused on Surah Al-Baqarah verse 233, which outlines parental responsibilities in child rearing, particularly regarding breastfeeding. While the verse encourages mothers to breastfeed for two years, it also emphasizes the father’s crucial role in supporting the mother during this time. This includes fulfilling her nutritional and clothing needs, within his means, to ensure a smooth and balanced breastfeeding experience.
“This verse emphasizes the need for teamwork – parents, both the father and mother, should raise their children together, not as a burden solely on one individual,” explained Hamim Ilyas at a lecture on February 28. He highlighted the demanding nature of breastfeeding, requiring both physical and emotional energy from the mother. Therefore, he stressed the husband’s responsibility to support his wife by addressing her nutritional and clothing needs, while also providing emotional support to alleviate her mental and physical burdens.
“In raising children, neither the mother’s nor the father’s physical well-being should be compromised,” stated Hamim Ilyas. He emphasized the importance of the husband fulfilling his wife’s basic needs while she breastfeeds, to the best of his ability. Conversely, the wife should fulfill her breastfeeding duties to the best of her capacity.
This teaching reiterates that raising children should not be the sole responsibility of the mother. Instead, collaborative parenting, grounded in religious teachings, is essential for creating a balanced and supportive family environment that fosters optimal child development.
Hamim Ilyas further elaborated, “The mother has already undergone significant physical strain through childbirth and breastfeeding. If her financial needs are not met, it creates an imbalance. Therefore, the father is obligated to fulfill these needs, creating a balance. In simpler terms, the mother assumes the role of reproduction, while the father takes on the role of production, ensuring their needs are met.”
By advocating for shared responsibilities, Muhammadiyah’s message aligns with the broader societal call for gender equality and shared family responsibility. This approach ultimately contributes to the well-being of both parents and children, fostering a more harmonious family environment.
