Expressing Anger at the Birth of Daughters Is a Practice of the Ignorant (Jāhiliyyah)
Written by: ʿImrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
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.
﴿ 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]
﴿ 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]
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.
✔ 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.
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.
