Virtue of Patience on the Death of Newborn Children
Written by: ʿImrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
The death of a child is undoubtedly one of the most difficult trials a parent can face. However, Islam teaches that patience (ṣabr) in such moments is not only rewarded, but becomes a means of Paradise for the grieving parents. Numerous verses and aḥādīth emphasize the elevated status of those who endure such trials with faith and submission.
﴿ وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴾
“And We will surely test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. But give glad tidings to the patient.”
[Sūrah al-Baqarah: 155]
Ḥadīth of Anas رضي الله عنه:
“There is no Muslim to whom three children die before reaching the age of puberty except that Allah admits him into Paradise due to His mercy for those children.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1248; al-Nasāʾī: 4/24; Ibn Mājah: 1605; Aḥmad: 2/510; al-Adab al-Mufrad: 151]
Ḥadīth of Abū Saʿīd al-Khuḍrī رضي الله عنه:
“Women requested a day of private instruction. The Prophet ﷺ set a day for them and said: ‘Whoever loses three children, they will become a shield for her from Hell.’ A woman asked: ‘And two?’ He replied: ‘Even two.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1249; Muslim: 16/6; Aḥmad: 3/34; al-Adab al-Mufrad: 148]
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said:
“This refers to children who did not reach the age of accountability (puberty).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1250]
Ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
“No Muslim whose three children die will enter Hell — except to fulfill the oath (of passing over it).”
Imam Bukhārī adds:
“The oath refers to the verse: ﴿ وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ﴾ — ‘There is none of you but will pass over it (Hell)’.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1251; Muslim: 16/6; al-Adab al-Mufrad: 473; Aḥmad: 2/488]
A man used to visit the Prophet ﷺ with his son. The Prophet ﷺ once asked, “Do you love him?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allah! May Allah love you as I love him.”
Later, when the boy passed away, the Prophet ﷺ said to the father:
“Would you not like that when you approach a gate of Paradise, you find him there waiting for you?”
Another man asked: “Is this for him only or for all of us?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Rather, this is for all of you.”
[Aḥmad: 3/436; al-Nasāʾī: 4/22; al-Ṭabarānī, al-Ḥākim, al-Dhahabī, and al-Mundhirī declared it authentic]
“A child will meet his father or parents at the gate of Paradise, take hold of their garment or hand, and will not let go until Allah admits both him and them into Paradise.”
[Muslim: 16/6; Aḥmad: 2/488; Bayhaqī: Shuʿab al-Īmān: 9752]
✔ The loss of a young child is one of life’s greatest pains — but for the patient believer, it becomes a cause of immense reward.
✔ Children who die before puberty are intercessors for their parents.
✔ Patience and hope in Allah’s mercy during such trials is a sign of true faith and leads to eternal reward.
Written by: ʿImrān Ayyūb LāhorīThe death of a child is undoubtedly one of the most difficult trials a parent can face. However, Islam teaches that patience (ṣabr) in such moments is not only rewarded, but becomes a means of Paradise for the grieving parents. Numerous verses and aḥādīth emphasize the elevated status of those who endure such trials with faith and submission.
➊ Qur’ānic Foundation – Patience in Trials:
﴿ وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ ﴾
“And We will surely test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. But give glad tidings to the patient.”
[Sūrah al-Baqarah: 155]➋ Three Children Passing Away – A Gateway to Paradise:
Ḥadīth of Anas رضي الله عنه:
“There is no Muslim to whom three children die before reaching the age of puberty except that Allah admits him into Paradise due to His mercy for those children.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1248; al-Nasāʾī: 4/24; Ibn Mājah: 1605; Aḥmad: 2/510; al-Adab al-Mufrad: 151]➌ Even Two Children Are a Protection from Hellfire:
Ḥadīth of Abū Saʿīd al-Khuḍrī رضي الله عنه:
“Women requested a day of private instruction. The Prophet ﷺ set a day for them and said: ‘Whoever loses three children, they will become a shield for her from Hell.’ A woman asked: ‘And two?’ He replied: ‘Even two.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1249; Muslim: 16/6; Aḥmad: 3/34; al-Adab al-Mufrad: 148]➍ Clarification: Refers to Pre-Pubescent Children
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said:
“This refers to children who did not reach the age of accountability (puberty).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1250]➎ The Oath of Allah: Such Parents Will Not Enter Hell
Ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
“No Muslim whose three children die will enter Hell — except to fulfill the oath (of passing over it).”
Imam Bukhārī adds:
“The oath refers to the verse: ﴿ وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ﴾ — ‘There is none of you but will pass over it (Hell)’.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1251; Muslim: 16/6; al-Adab al-Mufrad: 473; Aḥmad: 2/488]➏ The Child Will Wait at a Gate of Jannah:
A man used to visit the Prophet ﷺ with his son. The Prophet ﷺ once asked, “Do you love him?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allah! May Allah love you as I love him.”
Later, when the boy passed away, the Prophet ﷺ said to the father:
“Would you not like that when you approach a gate of Paradise, you find him there waiting for you?”
Another man asked: “Is this for him only or for all of us?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Rather, this is for all of you.”
[Aḥmad: 3/436; al-Nasāʾī: 4/22; al-Ṭabarānī, al-Ḥākim, al-Dhahabī, and al-Mundhirī declared it authentic]➐ The Child Will Cling Until He Enters with His Parent:
“A child will meet his father or parents at the gate of Paradise, take hold of their garment or hand, and will not let go until Allah admits both him and them into Paradise.”
[Muslim: 16/6; Aḥmad: 2/488; Bayhaqī: Shuʿab al-Īmān: 9752]
Conclusion:
✔ The loss of a young child is one of life’s greatest pains — but for the patient believer, it becomes a cause of immense reward.
✔ Children who die before puberty are intercessors for their parents.
✔ Patience and hope in Allah’s mercy during such trials is a sign of true faith and leads to eternal reward.
