The Quran views children as blessings, guiding parents to raise them with faith, gratitude, and moral values. It highlights the importance of virtues like respect, prayer, and patience, as seen in Surah Luqman. Children are granted essential rights, including proper care, names, and inheritance, fostering a nurturing, faith-centered upbringing.
The Quran confirms that having children is considered one of the biggest blessings one can have in life! Allah SAW Says in the Quran:
{ ٱلْمَالُ وَٱلْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ }
( Wealth and children are the adornments of this worldly life )
[ Al Kahf – 46 ]
The Quran says a lot about the importance of knowing how to raise your children well in the light of the Quran. So, in this article, we will go through a lot of topics about children that were mentioned in the Quran, like: What children’s rights are in Islam, how they should be treated, and who is considered a child in Islam according to the Quran.
Therefore, we need to pay great attention and care to our offspring, as they can be our true fortune, or our utmost regret. Yes, of course, they are our gifts from Allah Almighty, but, at the same time, they are meant to be a test to us, like all the blessings given, for which Allah holds us accountable:
إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ [ التغابن: 15]
[Your wealth and children are only a test, but Allah ˹alone˺ has a great reward.] [At-Taghabun: 15].
Also let’s talk about the verses that talk about childbirth in the Quran, what the Quran is for kids and why it is important to learn The Quran at a very young age.
Keep reading for the answers to all of these questions and more!
Table of Contents
Who Is Considered A Child In Islam?
Childhood starts from the moment of birth, until reaching the age of pubertyز The definition of a child in Islam according to the Quran is one who has not reached puberty yet.
{ وَإِذَا بَلَغَ ٱلْأَطْفَـٰلُ مِنكُمُ ٱلْحُلُمَ فَلْيَسْتَـْٔذِنُوا۟ كَمَا ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ }
{ And when your children reach the age of puberty, let them seek permission ˹to come in˺, as their seniors do. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. }
[ Al Nour – 59 ]
The age of puberty is usually 10 years old and above, From this age forward children are expected to be more responsible and disciplined so they would be ready for the responsibilities of adulthood.
Three Stages of Childhood in The Quran:
There are three remarkable stages throughout the childhood-phase:
1. Birth to 7 Years Old:
At that age, the child is still too young to be mindful enough, or consistent of doing the right and avoiding the wrong. He is still growing, and knowing about things around.
2. 7 to 10 Years Old:
At that age, the child becomes more aware already, and attentive to differentiate between the good and bad, more clearly, so the parents should get him ready and trained to be responsible for his actions, and discipline him, whenever needed, so that he can develop a well-founded, good character.
That is why the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Command your children to perform Salat when they are seven years old, and hit them (harmlessly) for (not offering) it when they are ten, and do not let (boys and girls) sleep next to each other”.
3. 10 Years Old to Puberty:
At that age, the child can have physical, hormonal, and psychological changes, becoming closer to the puberty phase. Here lies the importance of disciplining the child even before it, getting him already trained and familiar with the obedience acts, and the good deeds, so that it becomes easier for him to stand firmly that critical time, moving smoothly into the coming adulthood.
How Should Children Be Treated According To The Quran?
In the Quran, children are to be treated with respect and patience. Parents are expected to guide their children to the right path towards Allah, This is the ultimate goal of raising children properly.
{ وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْـَٔلُكَ رِزْقًۭا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ }
{ Bid your people to pray, and be diligent in ˹observing˺ it. We do not ask you to provide. It is We Who provide for you. And the ultimate outcome is ˹only˺ for ˹the people of˺ righteousness.}
[ Taha – 132 ]
Read more about Teaching Children Islam: How To Teach Islam To Child?
What Does the Quran Say About Children?
The Quran emphasizes that children are a blessing and a source of joy in life. Allah encourages believers to pray for righteous spouses and offspring who will bring happiness and serve as examples of piety. Islam stresses the importance of raising children with care, as they are a means of ongoing reward, as noted in the Hadith, where a righteous child’s prayers can benefit the parents after death.
Furthermore, the Quran outlines several rights for children, starting with the choice of a pious spouse to ensure a stable and loving family. It also prohibits the killing of children for fear of poverty and encourages parents to provide good names, proper breastfeeding, and just treatment. Islam advocates kindness, patience, and consistent guidance, emphasizing equality among siblings and the importance of allowing children to play, as part of their natural development. Ultimately, children are entrusted to parents, and fulfilling their rights is a sacred duty in Islam.
1. Child as a Blessing in the Quran:
As previously said, children are [the adornment of this worldly life]; without a doubt, they are such a treasured blessing, for which the believers hopefully invoke Allah:
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍۢ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا (الفرقان: 74)
[˹They are˺ those who pray, “Our Lord! Bless us with ˹pious˺ spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.] [Al-Furqan: 74].
وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًۭا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ (الأنبياء: 89)
[And ˹remember˺ when Zakariah cried out to his Lord, “My Lord! Do not leave me childless, though You are the Best of Successors.] [Al-Anbya’: 89].
In Islam, by having a child, and doing the best to raise him/her well, you will be abundantly blessed, along with the child, in this world by Allah’s help and provision, and even in the hereafter:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “He who is involved (responsible) of (raising) daughters, and he is benevolent towards them, they would become a shield for him against Hell-fire”. (Bukhari and Muslim).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also said, “When a person dies all his good deeds come to an end, except three (exceptions): Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge, and a righteous son who prays for him.” (Sahih)
2. Children Must Be Treated Kindly and Taught Patiently:
Islam is the religion of benevolence and morals, and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was actually sent down [as a mercy for the whole world.] Whoever reads Sirah (the Prophet’s Biography), finds how sweet, kind, patient, and close the Prophet was to the children.
Being kind and patient to the children help them growing up with respect, patience and goodness, and becoming benevolent persons, in turn.
Basically, as Muslims, we are commanded to refrain from repulsiveness, cruelty and rudeness, and to treat others patiently and gently, not to mention our children, for sure!
… وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ … (آل عمران: 159)
[… Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you…] [Al’-Imran: 159].
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “You must be compassionate. Whenever there is compassion in something, it adorns it, and whenever it is removed from something it disgraces it.”
3. Child Must Be Advised Consistently:
As a parent, you find yourself entitled to keep giving good advice to your child, throughout the lifetime, in different situations. You can find such dear father-to-son advice in Surah Luqman in Qur’an; here are some of the ayahs:
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَـٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌۭ (لقمان: 13)
[And ˹remember˺ when Luqmân said to his son, while advising him, “O my dear son! Never associate ˹anything˺ with Allah ˹in worship˺, for associating ˹others with Him˺ is truly the worst of all wrongs.] [Luqman: 13].
يَـٰبُنَىَّ أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱنْهَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَكَ ۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ ١٧- وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍۢ فَخُورٍۢ ١٨- وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ ١٩. (لقمان: 17-19)
[“O my dear son, establish prayer, encourage what is good and forbid what is evil, and endure patiently whatever befalls you. Surely this is a resolve to aspire to- And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk arrogantly upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful- Be moderate in your pace. And lower your voice, for the ugliest of all voices is certainly the braying of donkeys.] [Luqman: 17-19].
4. Children Must Be Treated Justly, and Equally to the Siblings:
Justice is the backbone of Islam, so justice and equality should be consistently fulfilled while raising the child. In Qur’an, in the story of Prophet Yusuf, Allah shows us how preferring a child, or two, over the other siblings caused the hatred, jealousy and envy among them:
﴿ لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آَيَاتٌ لِلسَّائِلِينَ إِذْ قَالُوا لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَى أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ * اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ ﴾ [يوسف: 7-9].
[Indeed, in the story of Yusuf and his brothers, there are lessons for all who ask.- ˹Remember˺ when they said ˹to one another˺, “Surely Yusuf and his brother ˹Benyamen˺ are more beloved to our father than we, even though we are a group of so many. Indeed, our father is clearly mistaken.- Kill Joseph or cast him out to some ˹distant˺ land so that our father’s attention will be only ours, then after that you may ˹repent and˺ become righteous people” (Yusuf: 7-9).
Also, as Muslims, we are commanded not to discriminate or prefer a son, over a daughter, for example, like that hideous habit in the ignorant pre-Islamic time; in Islam, every child is a gift:
لِّلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَـٰثًۭا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ (الشورى: ٤٩)
[To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons] [Ash-Shura: 49].
The Prophet (ﷺ) recommends us to avoid the sibling-discrimination, and its destroying consequences: “Fear Allah and treat your children equally.”
Quran Verses About Childbirth
Childbirth and pregnancy were mentioned several times in the Quran as a major event in the life of both the Muslim woman and child, So as the miracle of creating a human being, Let’s mention some of them:
The creation of a human being is one of the many miracles of Allah (SWT), a life-giving miracle that we can only admire and reflect upon. The Quran describes the stages of human creation:
{ وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ سُلَالَةٍ مِنْ طِينٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَكِينٍ ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ }
( And indeed, We created humankind from an extract of clay, Then placed each ˹human˺ as a sperm-drop in a secure place, then We developed the drop into a clinging clot, then developed the clot into a lump ˹of flesh˺, then developed the lump into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, then We brought it into being as a new creation.1 So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.)
[ Al Mu’minun: 12 – 14]
Childbirth In The Quran
In the Quran, the process of childbirth is beautifully described, emphasizing the deep connection between parents and their child, and the gratitude they express towards Allah for His blessings.
{ هُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٖ وَٰحِدَةٖ وَجَعَلَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا لِيَسۡكُنَ إِلَيۡهَاۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّىٰهَا حَمَلَتۡ حَمۡلًا خَفِيفٗا فَمَرَّتۡ بِهِۦۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثۡقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنۡ ءَاتَيۡتَنَا صَٰلِحٗا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ }
( It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her. And when he covers her, she carries a light burden and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allah, their Lord, “If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful. )
[ Al-A’raf – 189 ]
Taking children to the Masjid – Hadith
Prophet Mohammed ( Peace be upon him ) often talked about children and how they should be treated, cared for, and cherished.
One of these Hadith was about It is Sunnah to pray while holding a child in your arms, It shows how dear the grandchildren of Prophet Mohammed ( Peace be upon him ) were to him.
“While we were sitting in the Masjid. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to us carrying Umamah bint Abi Al-‘As bin Ar-Rabi’, whose mother was Zainab, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She was a little girl and he was carrying her. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed with her on his shoulder, putting her down when he bowed and picking her up again when he stood up until he completed his prayer.”
Benefits Of Learning The Quran For Kids
Learning the Quran at a young age is very beneficial for kids on many levels:
- Learning the Quran will help children develop Arabic language skills, especially the Arabic pronunciation.
- Memorizing the Quran at a young age will help children develop memorization skills and have a good memory. Which will eventually help them in any major they will study in their life.
- Having the Quran as a companion will influence their behavior and guide them always to the right path.
Interested in teaching your children the Quran? Check this article too : What is the Best Age to learn the Quran
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Conclusion:
The Quran portrays children as one of the greatest blessings bestowed by Allah, emphasizing their significance in worldly life: “Wealth and children are the adornments of this worldly life” (Al-Kahf 18:46). It outlines the pivotal role of parents in nurturing children with guidance and patience, steering them toward righteousness and faith.
From their early years, the Quran encourages instilling virtues such as prayer, gratitude, and moral discipline. Surah Luqman beautifully exemplifies this through Luqman’s wisdom to his son, highlighting the avoidance of shirk, honoring parents, practicing humility, and enduring life’s trials with patience. These teachings reflect the Quran’s comprehensive approach to raising children with character and piety.
Furthermore, the Quran grants children numerous rights, starting even before birth. It emphasizes choosing righteous spouses, providing meaningful names, and ensuring fair inheritance. Children are entitled to financial support, proper breastfeeding, and a nurturing upbringing.
