Dear Brother’s and Sister’s,
I would like to explain to people, especially older generation of people who grew up in a society or culture in which having a son is the best thing in the world and having a daughter is not so great, that we should really love and cherish your daughters because this is one of the biggest Mercy’s of Allah(SWT) for you.
I personally know adults who complain about having a daughter and wishing they had a son. I also personally know girls who’s parents have told them once in their lives that they wished for a son more than a daughter. Honestly, that is mean and disgusting. Allah(SWT) put both man and woman as equal beings who need to care for one another. As a Muslim parent one should not fall back into the cultural and patriarchal ideology that a son will bring you money and provide and etc. We have to realize that the Prophet(SAW) told us to be happy and rejoice for your daughters as it is a mercy of Allah(SWT) for us.
Here are some hadiths about blessings and mercies of having a daughter:
Narrated ‘Aisha(the wife of the Prophet) A lady along with her two daughters came to me asking me (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters, and then she got up and went away. Then the Prophet came in and I informed him about this story. He said, “Whoever is in charge of (put to test by) these daughters and treats them generously, then they will act as a shield for him from the (Hell) Fire.” (Sahih Bukahri)
Hazrat Anas (radiyallahu anhu) reports Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “The person who successfully brings up two daughters until they reach maturity, then on the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) Myself and that person will be like this (Rasulullah) indicated closeness by bringing together his index and middle fingers) (Sahih Muslim)
[ There are narrations where Prophet(SAW) even said one daughter].
Even with the Prophet(SAW) own daughter the love and compassion for them was immense. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) used to say, “Fathima is a portion of my flesh, whosoever hurts her, certainly hurts me”(Sahih Bukhari)
Basically I want to say is that love, cherish, and understand your daughters because it helps you become more humble, patient, a better person, and it is a ticket to Junnah.
Insha’Allah I ask Allah(SWT) to forgive us, guide us, protect us, and enter us all in Junnah-al-Firdaus.