Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Resenting the birth of daughters is one of the blameworthy characteristics of the pre-Islamic era, and it constitutes an objection to the decree of Allah تعالى and a denial of His blessing. Allah تعالى condemned the people of the pre-Islamic era who would become distressed when a daughter was born. He said: “And when one of them is given the good news of a female child, his face becomes darkened, while he suppresses his anger. He hides himself from the people because of the bad news he has been given.” [An-Nahl: 58–59]
Resenting daughters involves serious violations, including objecting to Allah’s decree, rejecting His gift instead of being grateful for it, insulting women and burdening them with something for which they bear no blame, and resembling the ways of the people of the pre-Islamic era.
Therefore, a Muslim must be content with the decree and destiny of Allah and be grateful for His blessing, whether Allah grants him sons or daughters. All of this is a gift from Allah تعالى. He says: “He grants female children to whom He wills, and He grants male children to whom He wills.” [Ash-Shura: 49] Allah تعالى mentioned daughters first in this verse, drawing attention to the honor and virtue of this gift.
Daughters are a great blessing. They become mothers, sisters, and wives, and they are an essential part of society. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged kindness toward them, saying: “Whoever has daughters and treats them well, they will be a shield for him from the Fire.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Therefore, a Muslim should receive the birth of a daughter with joy and gratitude to Allah تعالى, and should know that goodness lies in what Allah has chosen, and that the gender of the newborn neither diminishes his worth nor reduces the favor of Allah upon him.
And Allah تعالى knows best.