Islam and Human Rights — Page 49
Social Values 49 faculties and capacities should not be neglected, as that would amount to destroying them. Infanticide, which was a common practice during cer tain periods of human history, is prohibited (17:32). The practice, prevailing in certain Arab families who prided themselves on their noble status, of infanticide of female children, is severely condemned (81:9-10). As women and female children were generally held in low esteem among the Arabs, the Prophet was very emphatic on proper up bringing of girls, and on due consideration being shown to women. He said: “A person who is blessed with a daughter or daughters and makes no discrimination between them and his sons and brings them up with kindness and affection, will be as close to me in Paradise as my forefinger and middle finger are to each other”. 13 While stressing kindness and affection towards children and uniformly treating all children tenderly, he did not approve of undue indulgence. He had laid it down as a rule for himself and his family and all his descendants that they should not accept charity. On one occasion when a quantity of dates was brought to the 13 Muslim II, Sect. :Beneficence etc. , Ch. :Value of Beneficence towards Daughters.