Killing of Baby Girls is Condemned by Holy Quran

Today is celebrated as International Women’s Day, yet in our country [India], female babies are still being killed on the pretext of being "socio-economic liabilities".

In the spirit of sharing from each other’s good traditions, here is what we could teach and learn from the Quran: God detests this heartless custom that seventh century Arabs were guilty of when Prophet Mohammed came to reform them.

The Quran speaks manifestly against female infanticide. Surah Al-Nahal (16: 58, 59) says, “And when a daughter is announced to one of them, his face becomes black and he is full of wrath. He hides himself from the people when it is announced to him. Shall he keep it with disgrace or bury it (alive) in the earth? Now surely evil is what they judge”.

In Surah Bani Israel (17: 31), it was revealed, “Don’t kill your children for fear of poverty; we give them sustenance and yourself (too); surely to kill them is a great wrong.”

A similar verdict was given in Surah Al-Inaam (6:151) and Surah Al-Inaam (6: 40) says, “They’re lost indeed who kill their children foolishly.” It was revealed in Surah Al-Takwir (81: 8, 9), “And when the female infant buried alive is asked”, “For what sin was she killed?.” Religious scholars unanimously agree that the act of female feticide after the sex determination test is the same offence.

Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] was blessed with only one child, Fatima [AS], and had profound love for her. Indeed in the Quran (42: 23), it was revealed, “Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind) I don’t ask you any reward for (enlightening people with the message of peace) except love for nearest of kin.”




Hasan Khurshid, Hindustan Times