Is it all right to have a pre-birth baby party, not like a baby shower? Just a group of sisters and food not needing to bring gifts. I am asking as my husband is not sure if it is Halaal, and also if it is or is not a Sunnah.

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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

We do not know any evidence from the Sunnah that it is permissible to organize a celebration for the baby before he is born, and there is no celebration even after his birth except the 'Aqeeqah (i.e. the slaughtering done for a new born). Indeed all the good is in following the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Prophet and all the evil is in innovating new matters that have no foundation in religion.

Allaah knows best.