'It is a Girl Child That is Needed'
It was quite late when I went to sleep. Although I hit the bed before nine o'clock, by the time I finished reading, browsing the news, watching science content on YouTube (Science 4 Maths), and performing the 'Tahajjud' prayer, it was around 1:30 in the morning when I actually slept.(The time for Tahajjud prayer begins after the late-night prayer, Isha, and lasts until the end of the night.) The Prophet said: When one-third of the night remains, God descends to the lowest heaven closest to the earth. Then, whoever calls upon Him, God will answer. Whoever asks for anything, He will grant it. Whoever seeks forgiveness, He will forgive. This is the time when prayers are answered. Waking up and praying in the final hour of the night, when the Almighty has promised to answer prayers, is most virtuous.
On some days, due to fatigue and discomfort, I fall asleep early. After all, which human can remain hale and hearty every single day? Disrupting my reading, my wife's phone rang. Late-night phone calls in any household are most likely from very close relatives. Lying in bed, I watched my wife answer the call. Like the landlines of the past, or a loud long-distance STD call, the person on the other end was shouting frantically. "I had called your son and shared the news; didn't you know?" — that was his style of conversation. My wife replied, "No, the children haven't come yet. They might be busy and will return a bit late; they'll tell us when they get back."
From the other end: "Oh, then listen: my son's wife gave birth — to a boy!!!" The caller then began unravelling a whole bundle of excuses about his inability to visit my house and his ailments that prevent him from driving here. I thought to myself... when it comes to his own needs, he brings up a hundred excuses just to show off to relatives.
As the conversation dragged on, my thoughts drifted back to the past.... Whenever women in the family gave birth to a baby girl, this very caller used to go and mockingly say, "Go on, keep breeding like dogs, pigs, and cats." I still remember what a wretched person he was, going around insulting others like that. Even now, as he shares the news over the phone, his voice echoes with exuberant joy — that it is a boy! All this is a grave sin deserving punishment.
The birth of a girl child is the prosperity and light of a home. Sacred scriptures remind us that since she is a trust (Amanah) meant to be handed over to another, it is a duty to care for her like gold and guide her hand. Listen to the words of the Prophet and Sage Kanva....
(4) The Holy Quran (Surah An-Nahl 16:58-59)
"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 dirt? Unquestionably, evil is what they decide."
Meaning: When news of the birth of a female child reaches one of them, his face darkens while suppressing anger. Distressed by the news he received, he hides from people. He ponders whether to keep her in humiliation or bury her alive in the dirt. Remember, how terrible and sinful their decision is! Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made it clear through the Quran and his own examples that for those who care for female children with love and joy, those daughters will become a shield protecting them from the fires of Hell. Daughters are a special mercy and blessing (Rahmat) from Almighty God. Love and compassion should always be shown towards the birth of a girl. There should be no discrimination among children. The Prophet instructed that equality must be maintained between boys and girls in food, gifts, and expressions of love.
(5) Islam teaches that daughters should be raised with love and respect, providing them with good education, moral guidance, and priority.
Sage Kanva says:
Artho hi kanyā parakīya eva
Tām adya saṁpreṣya parigrahītuḥ
Jāto mamāyaṁ viṣadaḥ prakāmaṁ
Pratyarpitanyāsa ivāntarātmā
Meaning: "A daughter is indeed someone else's wealth (belonging to her future husband). Having sent her off to her husband today, my inner soul feels immense relief and contentment, just as if returning a treasured trust (Nyasa) to its owner."
This is the context of the verse: Raising daughters and giving them away in marriage is a great responsibility of a father. Even though Sage Kanva was an ascetic, his mind attained peace when he sent his foster daughter, Shakuntala, to her husband's home. The essence of this verse lies in the fulfillment of a father's duty after completing his task beautifully, and the relief of entrusting his daughter into safe hands. The ultimate fulfillment felt by every father of a daughter is the inspiration behind writing this. Beyond a certain age, physical affection towards young women — whether by an uncle, cousin, or elder relation — is inappropriate and unacceptable. — Palayam Nizar Ahamed Copyright reserved to the publisher. Author Palayam Nizar Ahamed (M.Nizar Ahamed) Writer| Journalist |Blogger| Poet| Editor-in-Chief | Flash News-Breaking News Bulletindaily |for investigative reports & editorial writings.
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