Islam views daughters as a precious gift from Allah, and a father is entrusted with immense responsibility towards his daughter’s well-being. His responsibilities include providing nurturing care to his daughter from infancy for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
A father is also responsible for guiding his daughter towards Islamic values and principles, educating her in matters of faith and morality, and preparing her for a successful future. Quran and Hadith emphasize the significance of a father’s role in raising his daughter and providing guidance on fulfilling his duties.
We will discuss all the essential duties of a father towards his daughter in Islam so that fathers can raise their daughters as strong, confident, and righteous individuals.
3 Fundamental Duties of a Father Towards His Daughter in Islam
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In Islam, a father’s duties towards his daughter encompass various aspects of her upbringing and well-being, such as:
- Providing nurturing care and financial responsibility
- Providing education and guidance in Islamic faith and morality
- Arranging a suitable marriage
Explore each of the fundamental duties a father has towards his daughter in Islam in detail.
1. Providing Nurturing Care and Financial Responsibility
The father’s duty towards his daughter includes nurturing care and ensuring financial responsibility with fairness and generosity. Islam emphasizes the importance of fathers cherishing and sustaining their daughters from an early age.
Fathers also bear the responsibility of safeguarding their daughters, both physically and morally. This duty necessitates establishing a secure environment for their growth, development, and overall well-being.
The Quran and Hadith underscore the significance of shielding children from harm, whether it be physical or emotional.
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:233), Allah states, “Mothers may nurse [i.e., breastfeed] their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is their [i.e., the mothers’] provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity.
No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father’s] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire to wean through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them.
And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is Seeing of what you do.”
This verse highlights the financial responsibility of fathers towards their daughters as well as the importance of fair and mutual consultation in child-rearing decisions.
2. Providing Education and Guidance in Islamic Faith and Morality
A father’s duty towards his daughter in Islam also includes providing education and guidance on Islamic faith and morality.
Islam highlights the value of knowledge and supports the pursuit of it by both sons and daughters. The responsibility of fathers is to facilitate their daughter’s educational pursuits to help them acquire knowledge.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge, stating that
“Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim, and he who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it, is like one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls and gold around the neck of swines.”. (Sunan Ibn Majah 224).
In addition to education, fathers must guide their daughters on faith and morality, teaching Islamic values, ethics, and principles and ensuring their daughters grow up with a strong moral compass.
Fathers should execute their role in guiding their daughters concerning the Islamic teachings, citing that they are responsible for their daughters’ upbringing following Hadiths:
“Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The amir (ruler) who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd in charge of the inhabitants of his household and he is responsible for his flock; a woman is a shepherdess in charge of her husband’s house and children and she is responsible for them; and a man’s slave is a shepherd in charge of his master’s property and he is responsible for it. So each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”(Sunan Abi Dawud 2928)
Fathers have to teach their daughters about Tawhid, emphasizing its impact on all aspects of life. Explaining the messages of the Prophets and the finality of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is essential.
To foster a strong Islamic connection, fathers should encourage their daughters to memorize and understand the Quran and provide guidance on Salah and Dhikr.
Fathers must instill values of honesty and integrity, drawing examples from the Prophet’s life. Teaching the significance of hijab as a symbol of modesty, privacy, and dignity is vital, encompassing behavior, speech, and interactions.
A lack of knowledge and guidance can lead them astray from the right path. The Quran encourages believers to protect their families from the Fire, as mentioned in Surah At-Tahrim (66:6):
“O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable and severe angels, who never disobey whatever Allah orders – always doing as commanded.”
According to Abu Huraira’s report (Allah be pleased with him), Allah’s Messenger (S) said: “When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased).” (Sahih Muslim 1631)
So, fathers should strive to fulfill their duty towards their daughters by providing them with a solid foundation of Islamic knowledge and guidance.
3. Arranging a Suitable Marriage
Another significant responsibility of a father towards his daughter is to arrange a suitable and compatible marriage. The Messenger of Allah emphasized the importance of considering the religious commitment and character of the prospective groom.
Allah’s Messenger said: “When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so there will be temptation in the earth and extensive corruption.” (Mishkat al-Masabih 3090)
Fathers must consider their daughter’s interests while selecting a suitable partner. The prospective groom’s level of religious commitment and character should be considered according to Islamic teachings. It is also crucial to consider compatibility between the couple.
Moreover, fathers must ensure that their daughter’s consent is taken before finalizing the marriage. The daughter’s right is to choose her partner with her free will. The role of a father in Islamic marriage is to facilitate the process and guide his daughter on religious principles while choosing a groom.
The Quran encourages the believers to marry those who are pious and righteous. In Surah An-Nur (24:26), Allah says, “Vile women are for vile men, and vile men are for vile women; and good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those are free from what they (the accusers) say. For them there is forgiveness, and a graceful provision.”
Fulfill the Duties of a Father and Receive Allah’s Blessings
The duties of a father towards his daughter in Islam are multifaceted, involving not just care and financial support but also education and moral guidance.
Grounded in Quranic teachings and the example of Prophet Muhammad (S), these responsibilities emphasize daughters’ holistic development and well-being. By diligently fulfilling these duties, fathers contribute to nurturing strong, confident, and righteous individuals who embody the principles of Islam.
Indeed, in recognizing and fulfilling a father’s duties towards his daughter in Islam, faith and morality foster a virtuous family life.
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