Salam alaikum. My wife and myself are expecting our first child in few month. My wife is of turkish background and we were told that after birth my wife and the child have to stay at home for 40 days. Is this based on Islam or is it culture? We couldn't find Hadith relating to the subject. if it's correct could you please give us the reason for staying inside for 40 days? Thanks for your help and Allah to reward you in this world and the other

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

There is no religious evidence for a mother and her new-born baby to stay forty days in her home; rather it is among the traditions which have no foundation. Therefore, it is not an obligation to abide by this.

On the contrary, it is permissible for the mother and her new-born baby to go out of her home even one moment after giving birth to the child.

Finally, we thank both of you for being keen on knowing the matters pertaining to your religion. We ask Allaah to bless your new-born child, and we hope that he/she will be raised as a righteous person.

Allaah Knows best.