Daughters-Burden or Blessing? Part I

Female feticide is an evil that has sunken its roots deep into our society. Even the penalty against sex determination doesn’t seem to put an end to this crime. This shameful act goes against ones conscience and it also collides with the teachings of Islam. In the pre-Islamic Arabia baby girls were buried alive and today they are either aborted even before coming into this world or thrown away.

In the age of ignorance Islam came as a mercy for the whole of mankind and provided women a reputable position in the society. It was made clear through the Qur’an that those parents who kill their female children shall be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection. Today it seems we are back to the age of ignorance and once again we need to be reminded of that warning:

And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
For what sin she was killed? (Surah at-Takweer, Chapter 81, ayaat/verses 8-9)

There is no need for beating around the bush when today everybody is well aware of this crime and its lethal consequences. But what we should first try to determine is the cause of this disease. That’s right, in my opinion female feticide is a sickness but what is the source of this sickness? There are three major reasons leading to increasing rate of female feticide:

Reason 1.

 

Although Islam doesn’t recognize the evil system of dowry yet unfortunately most of the people claiming to have deep love for Allah (swt) and His Messenger prophet Muhammed (pbuh) demand huge sum of dowry shamelessly from the parents or the guardians of the bride. 

When it comes to money and property they forget Allah (swt) and His commandments.

Reason 2.

 

Desire for a male child to carry on the name of the family is another reason. People usually get disheartened when a baby girl is born. There are people so cold hearted that they desert their babies in the municipal dustbins as though shedding away some stinking garbage & not fearing the slightest that Allah (swt) is watching them and will take retribution from them. Allah (swt) exposes their sinful feelings as:

And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. He hides himself from the people because of the ill of which he has been informed. Should he keep it in humiliation or bury it in the ground? Unquestionably, evil is what they decide. (Qur’an: Surah an-Nahl, Chapter 16, ayaat/verses 58-59)

Reason 3.

Pregnancy out of wedlock is yet another reason. However, in this case babies are aborted or deserted irrespective of their gender. That is why Quran commands us:

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way. (Surah al-Isra, Chapter 17, aayaat/verses 32)