❀ Shar‘i Ruling on Praying for a Son or Daughter ❀
✦ Fatwa by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
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.
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:
The Qur’an contains multiple examples of Prophets making du‘ā’ for children:
These du‘ās are general and include all righteous offspring, whether sons or daughters.
✔ 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.
✦ 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.
