Rights of Children in Islam
Suggest editIslam's Framework for Children's Rights
Islam established comprehensive rights for children that are remarkable in their scope and detail — rights that the modern world only formally codified in the 20th century through instruments like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. These rights begin before birth (a child's right to a righteous parentage and a lawful lineage), continue through the stages of infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and include the right to life, a good name, proper nourishment, education, financial provision, religious upbringing, and equal treatment among siblings. Children are described in the Quran as a 'trust' (amanah) and an 'adornment of this worldly life' (Quran 18:46) — gifts from Allah that carry corresponding obligations.
The Right to Life and Protection
Islam absolutely prohibits infanticide, which was practiced in pre-Islamic Arabia, particularly the burial alive of infant girls. The Quran condemns this in the strongest terms: 'And when the girl who was buried alive is asked for what sin she was killed' (Quran 81:8-9), and 'Do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and for them' (Quran 6:151). This prohibition is foundational: every child has the right to life regardless of gender, disability, or the family's financial circumstances. The prohibition also extends to abortion after ensoulment, which classical scholars locate at 120 days, with many considering it prohibited even earlier.
The Right to a Good Name
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and the names of your fathers, so make your names good' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4948). Naming a child well is a parental responsibility. The Prophet ﷺ changed names he found unbecoming. The most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdurrahman (Sahih Muslim 2132). Names with positive meanings — those that glorify Allah, reference prophets, or carry honorable meanings in Arabic — are recommended. Names with negative, arrogant, or distasteful meanings are discouraged or prohibited.
The Right to Proper Upbringing and Education
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Every child is born in a state of fitrah (the natural disposition toward monotheism); it is his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Zoroastrian' (Sahih al-Bukhari 1385). This hadith places the responsibility for religious and moral education squarely on the parents. The child has a right to be raised with knowledge of Allah, the Quran, prayer, and Islamic ethics. The Quran reports the advice of Luqman to his son as a model of parental instruction (Quran 31:13-19), covering theology, worship, ethics, and social conduct. The Prophet ﷺ also commanded: 'Command your children to pray when they reach seven years of age, and discipline them for it when they reach ten' (Sunan Abu Dawud 495).
Financial Rights and Equal Treatment
A father is obligated to provide for his children financially until the sons are capable of providing for themselves and the daughters are married and provided for by their husbands. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'It is sufficient sin for a man to neglect those whom he is responsible for' (Sunan Abu Dawud 1692). Beyond provision, the Prophet ﷺ commanded equal treatment among children in gifts: 'Fear Allah and be fair to your children' (Sahih al-Bukhari 2586). Favoring one child over another in gifts without justified reason is prohibited, as it sows seeds of resentment and injustice. This applies to both sons and daughters.