The Islamic Perspective on Having Children and the Jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Ignorance) Understanding

Islam, like in all areas of life, brings wisdom and depth to the issue of having children. The supplications of Prophet Abraham and Prophet Zechariah serve as examples in this regard. Both of them asked Allah for righteous offspring during their old age, and in their prayers they sought only the benefit of Islam. Their desire for children was not based on lineage continuation, numerical superiority, or worldly interests, but on the aim of raising a generation that would carry the banner of Tawhid after them.
This teaches us the true intention and wisdom behind having children.
In Islam, a child is not merely a biological necessity or a symbol of social status. Having children is a blessing from Allah and at the same time a heavy responsibility. The prophets viewed having children as a need—but this need was the need to raise a generation that would carry the message of Islam.
Their supplication reflects this pure and sincere intention:
> “My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” (As-Saffat 37:100)
The purpose of the prophets in seeking children was to preserve the higher interests of Islam. Worldly blessings, social prestige, or personal desires never played a role in their supplications.
Today, however, the reasons why billions of people have children often do not align with Islamic criteria. Having children has frequently become a decision driven by social pressure or personal desire. Reasons such as numerical superiority, continuation of lineage, or social acceptance represent a pre-Islamic (jahiliyyah) mindset that is contrary to Islamic principles.
Allah says in Surah Al-A’raf:
> “He it is Who created you from a single soul and from it made its mate so that he might find comfort in her. And when he covers her, she carries a light burden and continues with it. When it becomes heavy, they both call upon Allah, their Lord: ‘If You grant us a righteous child, we will surely be among the grateful.’ But when He grants them a righteous child, they begin to associate partners with Him in what He has given them. Exalted is Allah above what they associate with Him.” (Al-A’raf 7:189–190)
This verse points to how, both in the pre-Islamic era and today, children can be “idolized.” A mindset that centers life entirely around a child, sacrifices everything for them, and prioritizes their future above all else can harm the belief in Tawhid. A child must be seen as a blessing from Allah, never as something to be associated with Him or placed above Him.
Parents who idolize their children may, without realizing it, fall into a form of shirk.
Those who dedicate their entire lives to their children and prioritize them above worldly and spiritual values risk both worldly and eternal well-being. Parents who excessively mourn the loss of a child, rebel against Allah, and cannot return to normal life may unconsciously demonstrate that they valued their child above Allah’s decree.
This reality is clearly mentioned in Surah Al-Ma’arij:
> “And no intimate friend will ask about a friend… The guilty one will wish to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children, his spouse, his brother…” (Al-Ma’arij 70:10–14)
On the Day of Judgment, those who wrongly prioritized their children in this world will wish to sacrifice them to save themselves from punishment. This reveals the great regret of those who followed a distorted scale of values in this world.
Islam views having children as a responsibility. This responsibility is not limited to bringing a child into the world; it includes raising them upon Tawhid, shaping them into righteous servants of Allah, and contributing positively to society.
Otherwise, parents will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.
Having children should be based on the intention of raising a generation that will carry Islam forward. A Muslim who acts with this awareness thanks Allah, does not idolize their children, and never submits to jahiliyyah standards.
Having children in Islam is a sacred trust (amanah). Fulfilling this trust is only possible by raising children upon Islamic ethics and avoiding associating partners with Allah in any form.
Those who follow the standards of jahiliyyah societies will face loss in both this world and the hereafter. However, those who take the supplications of the prophets as their example will raise their children as bearers of Tawhid and leave behind a generation beneficial both to themselves and to the Ummah.
May Allah grant us the ability to see our children as a trust, to raise them upon Islamic ethics, and to remain patient in this path.