Preserving the sanctity of life in a modern world

Reproduction is a phenomenon that humans are yet to fully understand. From the formation of the zygote to its development into a baby, scientists and research analysts have spent countless hours understanding the entire process and the reasons behind it. These details were province in the Quran at the time of its revelation in the following verses:

“And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).
( Surah Al-Mominoon, verse2)

“Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman)Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.After that, surely, you will die.”
(Surah Al-Mominoon, verse 13-15)

Reproduction has always been a part the natural cycle created by Allah (SWT) many years ago, regardless of what species it may be. The purpose behind human creation specifically was to worship Allah (SWT) and to follow his commands.

As society advances, we witness some major modifications in human perspectives. Where it was once held that children are necessary to complete a family and provide stability to the couple, there is an increasing negation of this perspective.

In the Psychology Today article, “Choosing to be Childfree in a Changing World,” author Ellen Walker, Ph.D. provides that 43 percent of college-educated women who are between the ages of 33 and 46 are child-free. More women are skipping out on what has generally been perceived as a required life experience without regrets.

When viewed in a long term, this may bring sufficient flaws in human society. There will come a time when the generation gap would become too wide to cover. Even now we can see many societies faced with the burden of an ageing population because not enough children are born.

Many people argue that they simply do not have the time or energy to care for children, and it is true that parenting is indeed a trying task. However having a child becomes a need for most woman at some point in their lives. This is because after all the success and financial advancement that you obtain, there comes a time when one is enforced to think about what comes next? The race towards self-actualization may be tiring and it is a good option for couples to have children so they have something in common, a person whom they love mutually.

As discussed earlier, it is mandatory for Muslim families to raise their children according to laws of Allah. This would arrive by making Duas to Allah (SWT) and operating according to the Divine Commandments yourself.

There might be some people whom Allah chose for testing in this world. He (SWT) has created all humans according to His will and desire. We witness how certain children are born with special needs or there are parents who lose their child in infancy. These are the tests that come in human life for Allah knows how strong His slaves are. He has stated that He will never over-burden his slaves and there is always a better reward awaiting them. The All-Listener and Omni-potent witnesses every suffering and rewards awaiting such parents are insurmountable.

Additionally, there are people in our society who still believe sons to be a blessing and daughter as a burden. This mentality has to be abolished. Every child is the creation of Allah (SWT) and nowhere in Islam; have we found any evidence of a son’s blessing and daughter to be cursed.
To sum up, a child provided to you is an Amanah from Allah (SWT). You will be questioned about their righteousness and safety by Him. Thus, it is the responsibility of Muslim societies to change the growing perception of child being the obstacle in path of freedom and success. Along with that, there has to be a focus on increasing awareness about transmitting Divine orders from one generation to another, about modest worldly approach and also regarding daughters being equally gifted as sons.