7th May 2016
Question: Kindly tell me the status of the Hadeeth “Lucky is the woman whose first child is a daughter”
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
The Hadeeth has been transmitted by Ibn Asākir and Daylami from two companions; Sayyidunā Wathila Ibn Asqa radhiyallahu anhu and Sayyidah Āisha radhiyallahu anha that blessed is that women whose first born child is a girl. This is an isolated report however and not commonly found in any of the major Hadeeth works. Hadeeth critics such as Imām Sakhāwi rahimahullah classify this narration as week. Ibn al-Qayyum al-Jawzi rahimahullah, known for his rigidness in Hadeeth classification, renders this report as fabricated.[1] Thus, the authenticity of the above Hadeeth is questionable. This however does not negate the merits of bearing female children in general as Islām honours daughters and not just sons. The Messenger of Allāh sallallahu alayhi wasallam promised Jannah to those parents who nurture their daughter(s) according to the Islamic principles, do not inflict harm upon them, do not prefer sons over them (in order to degrade daughters) and also treat them with kindness.[2] In another report, the Messenger of Allāh sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Whoever endures (the responsibility in nurturing and providing for them) until they reach puberty (and ready for marriage) then he will come on the day of judgment whereas me and him (like this), joining his fingers.”[3]
Thus, daughters in general are a source of blessing in Islam. The Hadeeth you quoted about a first child being born is weak but other Ahadeeth such as the one above explain the merits of rearing daughters in general.
[Allãh Knows Best]
Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed
Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] al-kafi, vol 2, page 6
Faidul Qadeer, (No: 8237 6/11)
(من بركة المرأة) على زوجها كما جاء مصرحا في رواية (تبكيرها بالأنثى) تمامه عند الخطيب والديلمي ألم تسمع قوله تعالى {يهب لمن يشاء إناثا} فبدأ بالاناث (ابن عساكر) وكذا الخطيب والديلمي كلهم (عن واثلة) بن الأسقع ورواه الديلمي عن عائشة مرفوعا بلفظ من بركة المرأة على زوجها تيسير مهرها وأن تبكر بالإناث قال السخاوي: وهما ضعيفان اه بل أورده ابن الجوزي في الموضوعات فقال: موضوع
[2] Musnad Imām Ahmad No: 1957
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” مَنْ وُلِدَتْ لَهُ ابْنَةٌ، فَلَمْ يَئِدْهَا، وَلَمْ يُهِنْهَا، وَلَمْ يُؤْثِرْ وَلَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا – يَعْنِي الذَّكَرَ – أَدْخَلَهُ اللهُ بِهَا الْجَنَّةَ “
[3] Saheeh Muslim No: 149
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ عَالَ جَارِيَتَيْنِ حَتَّى تَبْلُغَا، جَاءَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنَا وَهُوَ» وَضَمَّ أَصَابِعَهُ