Expressing Anger at the Birth of Daughters Is a Practice of the Ignorant (Jāhiliyyah)
✍️ Written by: ʿImrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
❖ Grieving Over the Birth of Daughters Is from the Era of Ignorance
In the time of Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), the birth of a daughter was considered a disgrace, and people would express sorrow, anger, and shame upon receiving such news. The Qur’ān condemns this attitude in the strongest terms.
➊ Qur’ānic Condemnation – Sūrah al-Naḥl (58–59):
﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِالْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ ﴾
﴿ يَتَوَارَىٰ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ مِن سُوءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِ ۚ أَيُمْسِكُهُ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُ فِي التُّرَابِ ۗ أَلَا سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ ﴾
“When any one of them is given the glad tidings of a daughter, his face becomes darkened and he is filled with grief.
He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that which he has been informed of: Shall he keep her in disgrace, or bury her in the dust? Evil indeed is what they judge!”
📖 [Sūrah al-Naḥl: 58–59]
➋ Qur’ānic Condemnation – Sūrah al-Zukhruf (17):
﴿ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ ﴾
“When any one of them is given the news of what he ascribes to the Most Merciful, his face darkens, and he is filled with grief.”
📖 [Sūrah al-Zukhruf: 17]
❖ Islamic Perspective: Daughters Are a Mercy
✅ These verses clarify that grieving or becoming angry over the birth of daughters is condemned by Allah and is a hallmark of Jāhiliyyah.
✅ In contrast, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ opposed this vile tradition by teaching that daughters are a blessing and mercy from Allah.
✅ Not only did he treat his daughters with love and honor, he also promised Paradise to those who raise their daughters with care and kindness.
📌 This contrast between Jāhiliyyah and Islam reflects the transformative mercy of the Prophet ﷺ and the Qur’an.
✅ Conclusion:
✔ Being upset at the birth of a daughter is a sinful remnant of ignorance.
✔ Islam teaches that daughters are a sign of Allah’s mercy.
✔ Treating daughters with love and raising them well is a means of entering Jannah.
