A child is a blessing and trust from Almighty Allah to the parents, and it is not a possession. A child has the rights given by Allah which must be fulfilled. There are instances where some couples remain without a child for years, with no apparent defect in either of them and it has also happened with the Prophets. So a child is the greatest gift to parents, for which they should always be thankful to Allah. The children, being a precious gift, it is responsibility of the parents that they should raise their children according to the guidelines of who has given this gift. Throughout the pregnancy, the expecting parents must take care to prepare for the new arrival. The mother must take care of herself by eating right kind of food, getting the required amount of rest, and seeking medical aid whenever needed. Preparing for birth also includes remembering Allah and seeking his aid. The verses of Holy Quran on this point are: “O My Lord, grant me from Thee, good offspring; Surely Thou art the Hearer of invocation”. “Thou give us a child, good in every aspect, we shall certainly be among the grateful”. “Our Lord, grant us in our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for those who guard against evil”. The children should be valued and given due importance by the parents. Unless the parents do not realize the worth of their children, they will not be able to accord them sincere love, affection, take pains and make sacrifice for them. Pious children are the best means for their parents to be rewarded here and in the Hereafter both. Leaving behind pious and virtuous children is an act of great virtue. It is like leaving behind big and shady trees under the shade of which people take rest and shelter and the credit goes to the person who planted and looked after them. Hazrat Abu Hurairah has narrated that whenever a deceased person would get upgraded in his life in the Hereafter, he would be told that it is due to the perpetual prayers by his children for him.
A Muslim mother, apart from being benefitted by her deeds in this world, will also be rewarded by Almighty Allah in the Hereafter. That is why the wise mothers bear and rear their children readily, selflessly and devotedly.
It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) has said that when a woman is pregnant she enjoys for the whole period of her pregnancy, the status of a person who keeps fasts, pray during most of the night, obeys Almighty Allah and fights for him. It is not possible for anyone to estimate the reward she earns from Almighty Allah for the pain she endures while delivering the child. According to Islam this world is not an end in itself, rather it is a means of achieving the sublime aim of deliverance by one’s virtuous deeds. A Muslim mother, apart from being benefitted by her deeds in this world, will also be rewarded by Almighty Allah in the Hereafter. That is why the wise mothers bear and rear their children readily, selflessly and devotedly. Once a companion submitted to the Prophet (SAW): “O messenger of Allah which is the greatest sin”? Messenger of Allah (SAW) observed “Polytheism”. The companion again submitted: “And what next”? Prophet (SAW) observed: “Disobedience to parents”. The companion submitted for the third time: “And which sin is the greatest next to it” Prophet (SAWS) observed: “To kill your children fearing that they will share your sustenance.”
