And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.

[Qur'aan 17:31]


The Arabs would kill their daughters. They did so because they feared poverty because of having to spend on their daughters.

Ibn Kathiir points out that this Verse is evidence that Allaah is more Merciful to His slaves than a father is to his children because He forbade the killing of children just like He allotted a portion in the inheritance for the offspring whereas the people in the Pre-Islamic period of Ignorance would not allow their daughters to inherit and would kill them fearing poverty.

Narrated 'Abdullah:

"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)! What is the worst sin?' He said: 'That you make and equal to Allah, while it is He who created you.'" He said: "I said: 'Then what?' He said: 'That you kill your child fearing that he will eat with you.'" He said: "I said: 'Then what?' He said: 'That you commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.'"


[Jaami' al-Tirmidhi Hadith No. 3482]