Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 245
245 their children from their infancy, so that they might grow up useful members of society. It enjoins equal treatment of children, so much so, that when they are grown up, if the parents make a present to one of them, they must make similar presents to the others. If it becomes necessary to chastise a child, it must not be struck on the head or the face, as that part of the body is the seat of all the senses and a permanent injury might thus be caused to the child. Special stress has been laid on the instruction and training of girls. The Holy Prophet sa has said that, 'If a man has a daughter and he brings her up well he shall be saved from the fire,' that is to say, if a man brings up his daughter well, God shall deal kindly with him. Again, he says, 'If a man has sons and daughters, or younger brothers and sisters, and he instructs them and provides for their needs, he shall be admitted to paradise. ' Simi- larly he says, 'If a man has a daughter and he does not kill her, nor humiliate her, nor prefer his sons to her, God will give him paradise,' meaning that such a man would be fitted to receive a larger share of the grace of God, and not that he would be free to act in any manner he might please and yet would come to no harm. Special stress has been laid upon care for the health of children. The Holy Prophet sa says:'Do not compass the death of your children by going in to your wives while they are giving suck, for such an act affects the development of the child. ' This indicates that special care ought to be taken of the health of the children, for if a man is required to control his passions for the sake