Women have a very high position in Islam. The religion of Islam has articulated the rights of all Muslims, both men and women, in the best way, ensuring that every mother, daughter, sister, and wife has rights in Islam. In the previous section, the position of the mother and her rights were discussed. In this part of the research, we will examine the standing of girls in Islam and their rights.
The Position of the daughter in Islam
Undoubtedly, there is no difference between people except in piety. Of course, the expectations and duties of men and women may differ, but what makes people beloved by Allah is not their gender; rather, it is their deeds. The remarkable point is the grace and mercy that Allah Almighty bestows on His creation, including every human being. However, a girl child is particularly blessed. In a time when Western society is at the peak of exploiting girls and imparting its anti-values to other societies, relying on the divine verses and the important hadiths of the Prophet (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) is essential for salvation.
According to the verses of the Holy Qur’an, during the Jahiliyyah period, some ignorant people were very upset upon the birth of a girl child and even complained to Allah. Allah (S.W.T): «وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنْبٍ قُتِلَتْ» (“And when the girl who was buried alive is asked, for what sin was she killed?”). Allah Almighty has forbidden this ugly act in the Holy Qur’an and declared the prohibition of this practice through the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). This command from Almighty Allah serves as a clear reason to pay attention to and protect this segment of society and is one of the biggest reasons to cherish and respect girls.
Islam emphasizes the importance of avoiding the burial of girls alive and publicly announces the consequences for those who kill their daughters out of ignorance. Upon his arrival, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) not only forbade burying them alive but also prohibited insulting them, encouraging nurturing and caring for them as one would for boys. He gave glad tidings of Paradise to those who treat daughters well.
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Whoever is blessed with a daughter, and does not bury her alive, insult her, or prefer his sons over her, Allah Almighty will admit him into Paradise.”
A girl is an immense support for her parents; without her, parents may feel helpless. Fathers and mothers deprived of the blessing of a daughter often lament in their old age, saying: “I wish we had a daughter.” This is because a girl serves as a great helper to her parents from childhood through adulthood and even into marriage. She assists her mother with household chores, and when her father returns home tired each day, she greets him warmly and tries to alleviate his fatigue by providing comfort and entertainment. Today’s girls are eager to help their parents, to the extent that if a girl senses financial struggles at home, she will strive to address the issue.
Almighty Allah blessed His Prophet with daughters, bestowing upon him the honor of fatherhood to daughters. This carries significant wisdom and implies that nurturing girls requires kindness, compassion, and patience. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) served as the guardian, teacher, guide, and mentor to his community. Hence, in order to raise righteous girls, these qualities are essential. In a way, the Holy Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) epitomizes the ideal for the Ummah to emulate in educating their daughters.
This is a great privilege that Allah Almighty granted His Prophet – the honor of having daughters – because when Islam emerged, it restored dignity and respect to girls, affirming their rights without any deficit. All of this is reflected in the behavior of the Holy Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) towards his daughters and is evident in his teachings and guidance regarding fulfilling their rights and celebrating their births.
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