Article appeared Friday, November 11th, 2016 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (450)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Are children a blessing? Some people may think children a burden a burden in many ways,
having to give them time, having to look after them, having to spend money on them, etc. On
the other hand some individuals want more than one child. Nicole in her website {1} writes,
We live in a world where selfishness abounds. Everyone wants the nicest house,
newest car, and coolest things. We are afraid that children might drain our worldly
means from us, and then we would miss out. This way of thinking turns children into a
burden. {1}
Who, in fact, gives us children? Can the combining of a sperm and ovum create an intelligent
human being? Or does the Creator fashion a child stage by stage in the womb of a mother? If
we accept the latter, can we research what the Holy Scriptures say about the creation/birth of
babies?
O mankind! If you have a doubt about the Resurrection (consider) that We created you
out of dust then out of sperm then out of a leech-like clot then out a morsel of flesh partly
formed and partly unformed in order that We may manifest (Our Power) to you; and We
cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term then do We bring you
out as babies then (foster you) that you may reach your age of full strength; and some of
you are called to die and some are sent back to the feeblest old age so that they know
nothing after having known (much). And (further, as an example of creation) you see the
earth barren and lifeless but when We pour down rain on it it is stirred (to life) it swells
and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs). [22.5]
Why does the Creator create each baby hidden from sight in the womb? Can we run away from
the analogy that making a baby grow hidden in the womb is not much unlike constructing a
building behind a screen? The screens or covers are removed once the building has taken
shape with the final finishing left. Similarly, a baby comes out when it is in a shape to function
independently. In the next verse, Allah, our Creator, describes who He is:
This is so because Allah is the Reality: it is He Who gives life to the dead and it is He
Who has power over all things. [22.6]
The Creator Allah is not a figment of human imagination He is very REAL in fact, the only
reality, the rest is created by Him from nothing. It is only He who can, and creates life, just as He
will resurrect or recreate each of us in the afterlife or permanent life after death. What do the
Holy Scriptures say about ideas that consider children a drain on resources? Let us now look at
some verses in the Bible.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than
clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can
any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about
clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you
that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how
God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the
fire, will he not much more clothe youyou of little faith? So do not worry, saying, What
shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after
all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his

kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day
has enough trouble of its own. [Matthew 6:25-34, NIV] {2}
What to talk of worrying about the burden of food and clothing for our children, we are asked not
to worry about food and clothing for ourselves as well! So, for those who feel that children are a
burden and want to get rid of them we are forbidden from such a conduct in the Quran:
Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as
for you: verily the killing of them is a great sin. [17.31]
In contrast, we should be grateful for these blessings. In the following Verse from the Quran,
Allah describes the role of these blessings:
And Allah has made for you mates of your own nature. And made for you out of them
sons and daughters and grandchildren and provided for you sustenance of the best: will
they then believe in vain things and be ungrateful for Allah's favors? [16.72]
The correct response to these blessings is humility and gratitude for the favors of the Creator.
As sons, daughters and grandchildren should be born and raised under the collective protection
and nurturing of both parents,

17.32 Nor come near to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil opening
the road (to other evils).
As this may also lead to the killing of unborn children, as well as other social evils (such as
rivalry or murder), Allah warns against approaching illegal relationships.

17.33 Nor take life which Allah has made sacred except for just cause (i.e.,
carrying out the verdict in a court of law or in a justified war). And if anyone is
slain wrongfully We have given his heir authority (through legal action): but let
him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life: for he is helped (by the Law).
The death of parents gives an opportunity to unscrupulous people to deprive or use the property
of orphans. Therefore, Allah warns,

17.34 Come not near the orphan's property except to improve it until he/she
attains the age of maturity; and fulfill (every) commitment/promise. Indeed, there
is no doubt that each commitment will be questioned (on the Day of Reckoning).
-------{Notes}:
{1} http://childrenareablessing.org/2013/06/12/are-children-a-blessing-or-a-burden/
{2} https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34