At the time when Muhammad was charged with the prophethood a terrible custom prevailed in Arabia. Some families regarded daughters as a source of shame and killed them as soon as they were born.

Our Prophet interest in and love of children swiftly did away with such barbarity. He told them to make no distinction between male children and female. He also taught them that killing their daughters was a grave sin and an act of cruelty. By demonstrating equal love for and interest in both, he set an excellent example to the whole society.

The following is an example of what the Prophet said about female children.

''A daughter is a lovely child; affectionate, eager to help, mild and full of sacred feelings of motherhood.''

Our Prophet also warned the faithful to treat their children justly and said,

''Fear God and treat your children with equal justice.''