Question:
Assalamualaikum. If I am not blessed with a child in my marriage, how am I and my wife going to get the supplication from a pious child after we die? Who would wait for us at the gates of heaven if we don’t have any children? Hope for an explanation for us who are tested to not have any children. Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam. Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
A child is both a blessing and a gift from Allah SWT. Hence, Allah SWT reserve the right in determining everything. This is stated in the Quran:
لِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ يَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ إِنَاثاً وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ. أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَاناً وَإِنَاثاً وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَاءُ عَقِيماً إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ
“To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what he wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males. Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.”
Surah Ash-Shuara (49-50)
Syeikh Tantawi commented on the above verse, stating: “In this regard, Allah SWT declared His sovereignty in deciding sustenance and blessings to humans. As well as determining whether blessing a couple with a boy, a girl or both. And it is also His will to not bless any child to someone.” (See: al-Tafsir al-Wasit li Tantawi, 13/49)
Imam Ibn Kathir in his commentary said: “Humans are blessed with four things; a daughter, a son, both or none at all. This is proof that Allah SWT has the right in determining everything and as believers, we should place our hopes in Him.” (See: Tafsir Ibnu Kathir, 7/198)
The Test of Allah SWT for His Slaves
Every human is tested by Allah SWT according to his own capability as stated in the Quran:
وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
“And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.”
Surah al-Anbiya’ (35)
In a hadith, the Prophet PBUH recount a story of those who are tested to not have a child and that Allah SWT will grant everything that he wants in the hereafter. This is stated in a narration from Said al-Khudri R.Anhu, where the Prophet PBUH said:
الْمُؤْمِنُ إِذَا اشْتَهَى الْوَلَدَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ كَانَ حَمْلُهُ وَوَضْعُهُ فِي سَاعَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ كَمَا يَشْتَهِي
“When the believer wants a child in Paradise, he will be conceived and born and grown up, in a short while, according to his desire.”
Sunan Ibnu Majah (4338)
Imam Tirmizi commented on the above hadith saying that scholars have differing opinions on it, some state that there are no one who would give birth in paradise. However, according to the majority of scholars, Allah SWT will grant anything that a person in paradise wishes for. (See: al-Tanwir Syarah al-Jami’ al-Soghir, 1-/458)
This is in accordance with a statement of Allah SWT:
وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الْأَنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنْتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.”
Surah al-Zukhruf (71)
Every test and tribulation should be accompanied with tawakkal and having good thoughts towards Allah SWT. There is a chance that something may seem like a good thing by humans, but in truth is bad according to Allah SWT and vice versa. This is as stated by Allah SWT:
وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”
Surah al-Baqarah (216)
Imam al-Maraghi in his commentary states: “Something that we dislike may be something that Allah like for us and vice versa. There may be wisdoms behind it and lessons that teach us the meaning of patience and obedience in our worldly matters. And indeed, Allah SWT’s knowledge transcends humans’ knowledge.” (See: Tafsir al-Maraghi, 2/133)
Conclusion
According to the above question, here we would like to conclude the following according to the evidences presented above:
- Allah SWT test His slaves so that we will always place our hopes and trust in Him. Hence, we should be patient in facing His tests in order to obtain he greater reward in the hereafter.
- We should increase our supplications so that Allah SWT ease our affairs; by not giving up, putting our best efforts and believe in Allah SWT. This is as stated by Allah SWT:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So, let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.”
Surah al-Baqarah (186)
In commenting on the above verse, Syeikh al-Maraghi stated in his commentary: “What is meant by Allah SWT being near is Allah SWT is always listening and know the wishes of His slaves. And every worship done with sincerity and khusyuk, then Allah SWT will open the hijab and grant his supplication.” (See: Tafsir al-Maraghi, 2/75)
- It is encouraged to increase one’s donations and help for the poor and needy for us to ease our life and increase our sustenance and blessings. Allah SWT state:
وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
“But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers."
Surah Saba’ (39)
In Tafsir al-Mannar, the commentary on the above verse states, “This is the sunnah of Allah, who will replace anything that anyone donates or spends for His religion. Furthermore, Allah SWT will also compensate with contentment and generosity that will benefit us in this world and the hereafter.” (See: Tafsir al-Mannar, 3/63)
Moreover, we could also practise the supplication of Prophet Zachariah (Zakariyyah) AS that is recorded in the Quran:
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖإِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ
"My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."
Surah Ali Imran (38)
Syeikh Abdul Rahman al-Sa’di said, “This is the supplication of the Prophet Zachariah AS when he asked for a pious child with good character and completion of blessings in this world and the hereafter. Afterwards, Allah SWT granted his supplication for his sincerity and efforts.” (See: Tafsir al-Sa’di: 1/129)
Wallahua’lam.