❀ Shar‘i Ruling on Praying for a Son or Daughter ❀
✦ Fatwa by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Question:
Is it inappropriate to ask Allah for a daughter? A scholar claimed that one should only remain content with Allah’s decree and that making specific prayers for a son or daughter — especially a daughter — is not permissible. Guidance is sought on this matter.
❖ Answer:
This view appears to be unfounded and based on personal opinion or selective interpretation. There is no evidence in the Shari‘ah prohibiting one from asking Allah for a daughter. The following points clarify the issue:
➊ Contentment with Allah’s Decree
- Yes, a believer should be content with whatever Allah decrees, whether He grants a son or a daughter.
- However, this does not prohibit making du‘ā’ (supplication) for one’s personal wishes or needs—whether it is for a son or daughter.
➋ Qur’anic Precedents for Praying for Children
The Qur’an contains multiple examples of Prophets making du‘ā’ for children:
- Prophet Zakariyya (عليه السلام) prayed:
“وَزَكَرِيَّاۤ اِذۡ نَادٰى رَبَّهٗ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرۡنِىۡ فَرۡدًا وَّاَنۡتَ خَيۡرُ الۡوٰرِثِيۡنَ”
“And [mention] Zakariyya, when he called to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me childless, and You are the best of inheritors.’”
[Surah Al-Anbiya: 89] - Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) prayed:
“رَبِّ هَبۡ لِىۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ”
“My Lord, grant me [offspring] from among the righteous.”
[Surah As-Saffat: 100]
These du‘ās are general and include all righteous offspring, whether sons or daughters.
➌ Praying Specifically for a Daughter
- There is no prohibition in Islamic teachings against asking Allah specifically for a daughter.
- Daughters are a blessing, and many Hadiths praise the raising of daughters with love and good upbringing.
- Expressing one’s desire in du‘ā’—while being content with Allah’s ultimate will—is not only permissible, but opens the door to divine mercy.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ Praying for a son or daughter is permissible in Islam.
✔ There is no evidence in Shari‘ah forbidding the specific request for a daughter.
✔ While remaining content with Allah’s decree is essential, supplicating for one’s desires is completely in accordance with Islamic teachings.
