What is the reward for raising daughters in Islam?
The reward for raising daughters in Islam is closeness to the Prophet ﷺ in the hereafter and protection from the Fire. Authentic hadith promise that whoever raises girls with care and kindness will be shielded from Hell, and that whoever raises two girls until they grow up will be near the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection.
What the Prophet ﷺ promised
Several authentic hadith speak directly to parents of girls. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever brings up two girls properly until they grow up, "he and I would come (together) on the Day of Resurrection," and he interlaced his fingers to show how close (Sahih Muslim 2631).
Aisha once saw a poor mother split a single date between her two daughters and eat nothing herself. When she told the Prophet ﷺ, he said, "Whoever is put to trial by these daughters and he treats them generously, then these daughters will act as a shield for him from Hell-Fire" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1418). Another narration mentions a parent of three daughters who is patient with them and provides food, drink and clothing: "they will be a shield for him from the Fire" (Sunan Ibn Majah 3669, graded sahih).
The reward applies to mothers and fathers alike, and scholars say the key words are "properly" and "generously": love, good upbringing, education and fairness.
A clean break from the past
These promises landed in a society where some families felt shame at the birth of a girl, and some even buried baby daughters alive. The Quran condemned that attitude sharply.
The Quran also describes the Day of Judgment, when the buried girl "is asked for what sin she was killed" (Quran 81:8-9). Islam turned a daughter from a source of shame into a source of Paradise.
What honoring girls looks like today
- Celebrate her birth as warmly as a son's, with the same joy and aqiqah.
- Be fair in gifts, attention and opportunities between sons and daughters.
- Educate her in faith and in worldly knowledge.
- Listen to her and value her opinions, including in big life choices.
- Show affection: the Prophet ﷺ was famously tender with his daughter Fatimah.
Practical questions, like when she might start wearing hijab, are best handled gently and with her input. See At what age should a girl start wearing hijab?
For convert parents
If you came to Islam with daughters already in your family, the promise is yours too. Every school run, bedtime story and patient conversation counts. And one day, the daughters you raise may be the ones making dua for you. See What dua can I make for my parents?
- Raising girls well is a shield from the Fire (Sahih al-Bukhari 1418).
- Raising two girls to adulthood brings closeness to the Prophet ﷺ (Sahih Muslim 2631).
- The Quran condemned shame at a girl's birth and the burying of daughters.
- The reward is for mothers and fathers who raise daughters with love and fairness.
People also ask
Can I accept money from my non-Muslim parents as a Muslim?
Yes, you can accept money and gifts from non-Muslim parents as a Muslim, even if their income isn't halal. Birthday money, rent help and more.
Read the full answer →How do I raise Muslim kids as a single convert mom?
How do I raise Muslim kids as a single convert mom? Lean on mosque and convert sisters, find male role models, get practical help, rest.
Read the full answer →Do jinn marry and have children?
Yes, jinn have offspring according to Quran 18:50, and scholars say they marry. Learn about jinn family life and if a human can marry a jinn.
Read the full answer →Who gets custody of children in Islam?
Who gets custody of children in Islam? Usually the mother for young children, with ages differing by school, while the father stays guardian and pays.
Read the full answer →Can Muslims foster non-Muslim children?
Yes, Muslims can foster non-Muslim children. Here's how to respect the child's faith and care plan, handle food and church, and privacy with teens.
Read the full answer →