Rewards For Raising A Daughter

A daughter is a beautiful blessing bestowed by Allah (SWT) on fortunate parents. But this blessing is oftentimes considered a burden or taken for granted. Even in these times, when civilizations have evolved to a point where women are independent and successful. Yet, this notion of gender favoritism is still prevalent in many parts of the world. Even to such an extent that female infanticide is committed by people blinded by this age-old patriarchy.

The State of World Population 2020 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the world organization’s sexual and reproductive health agency, said that the number of missing women has more than doubled over the past 50 years – from 61 million in 1970 to a cumulative 142.6 million in 2020. Missing females means women missing from the population at given dates due to the cumulative effect of postnatal and prenatal sex selection

source: The Print

Why is this idea of having a girl child considered a disgrace??

Specifically, in Asian countries, a common myth that backs this ignorant practice is because a daughter is considered a liability, and a son is said to be an asset. In simple terms, the son will become the bread earner of the family someday, take care of them and take forward their lineage. On the flip-side, the daughters are to marry with dowry given to the groom’s family and they become a part of another family. So. they prefer investing their money, efforts, and love in their son over their daughter. This age-old mindset is deep-rooted in society. 

This mindset of gender favoritism was even worse in pre-Islamic times. The infant girls were buried alive or slaughtered. It was believed that a girl child brought shame to society. This evil practice was put to an end when the Quran was revealed. 

“and when baby girls, buried alive, are asked for what crime they were put to death, and when the records ˹of deeds˺ are laid open, and when the sky is stripped away, and when the Hellfire is fiercely flared up, and when Paradise is brought near on that Day˺ each soul will know what ˹deeds˺ it has brought along” 

Surah 80 verse 8-14.

“You shall not kill your children for fear of want. We will provide for them and for you. To kill them is a grievous sin”.

Surah 17 v 31

In Islam, Allah(SWT) has raised the status of a daughter by rewarding her parents abundantly. This honor is given to her not just to eradicate the ill-practice of infanticide but also because a woman plays an important role in the upliftment of society.

Apart from these verses, here are a few hadiths that tell us about the rewards of raising a daughter. 

A way of entry to paradise

Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet (SAWS) said:

If anyone has a female child, and does not bury her alive, or slight her, or prefer his male children to her, Allah will bring him into Paradise.

Ahmad, authenticated by Al-Hakim, graded Hasan by Ahmad Shakir

This hadith shows that killing a girl child is prohibited in Islam. In fact, it  also shows that a son and a daughter is to be given equal importance and care. 

 A way to be close to the prophet on the day of resurrection. 

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

“Whoever supports two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection (close to each other) like this –The Messenger of Allah joined his fingers to illustrate closeness.”

 (Muslim)

This hadith states that if we take care of the needs, show mercy towards them and support them at every stage of life till her age of maturity then they will be close to the prophet(SAWS) on the day of resurrection like two fingers close to each other. 

 A way to be shielded from the fire

Uqbah ibn Aamir narrated,

 I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say:

“Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink, and clothes them from his wealth; they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”

(Authenticated by Al-Albani)

If a parent is blessed with three daughters and they take care of their needs and provide them with the best of food and clothes from his wealth. Then that daughters will be like the shield from the fire on the day of resurrection.

 Three, two or one – reward is the same.

Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

Whoever has three daughters and he accommodates them, shows mercy toward them, and supports them, Paradise is definitely guaranteed for him.

Thus, someone asked the Prophet, what if they are two daughters only

He replied, “[He gets that reward,] even if they are [only] two.“

Some of those present believed that had the Prophet been asked about only one daughter, he would have answered that the reward was applicable too.

 (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

This hadith narrates an incident when the prophet(SAWS) said that the rewards for raising three or two or one daughter is the same.

 A Way of protection from hell fire

Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

A woman came to me with her two daughters. She asked me (for charity) but she found nothing with me except one date-fruit, so I gave it to her.

She [accepted it and then] divided it between her two daughters and ate nothing out of it. Then, she got up and went out.

When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) came in, and I narrated to him the story, he said,

“He who is tested with these girl children, and he is benevolent towards them, they will become protection for him against Hell fire“.

 (Muslim)

This hadith was reported by Aisha (the youngest wife of the prophet(SAWS)). It is about an incident when a woman with two daughters came to her asking for charity. She had nothing but one date-fruit to give her. When the date-fruit was given to her, she divided it and gave it to her daughters. And she ate none.

When she narrated this incident to the prophet (SAWS), he said that whoever is tested with a girl child and still be kind towards them then that daughters will be a protection for them against the hell fire.

Tips

Those of who have daughter need to

• Be kind to them
• Never prioritize your sons to your daughters
• Provide them with the best of foods and clothing from your wealth. 
• Look at them with mercy and smile. 
• Encourage them whenever possible.

So, be it the ancient time or modern time, daughters were and always will be a way of Jannah for their parents.

Remember, your daughter and sons are an amanah from Allah(SWT) and you will be held accountable on the day of resurrection if you don’t take care of them and make them the best Muslim.

Gain these amazing rewards for raising a daughter by showing kindness.