Her entitlement to care and equality with male children

 

Islam shows a great concern for a woman in all stages of her life. It calls for her to be taken care of as a child, such that she becomes a shield against the Hellfire and a way to Paradise for her carer. Anas ibn Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "If a person takes care of two girls until they attain the age of maturity, he shall come on the Day of Resurrection in my company (and he joined two of his fingers together).''

              Islam forbids favoring the education and care of a boy over that of a girl. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "If a person has daughter and he did not bury her alive nor disgrace her or favored his son over her, Allah will admit him to Paradise.'' Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man was sitting in the company of Allah's Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) when his son happened to come to him with which he kissed the boy and sat him on his lap. Thereafter his daughter came in and he sat her down beside him. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)) said, "You have not treated them equally.'' Additionally, Al-Fatafwa Al-Hindiyyah mentions: "It is unlawful to favor a male over female in gifts. The Malikis are of the view that a trust will be invalid if the beneficiaries are only male children to the exclusion of female ones. This is because in doing so the benefactor has re-enacted the actions of the time of ignorance.

              Taking care of a girl in her childhood should include grooming her for her future life. Although images and statues are prohibited, the Shari'ah has exempted dolls, and consequently, it is lawful to produce, sell and buy dolls. Playing with dolls is a form of preparation for young girls facilitating a form of experience of taking care of their own offspring when they eventually become mothers. 

             'A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet's wife, used to play with wooden dolls along with her friends. Whenever her friends would see the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), they would withdraw away from him in bashfulness. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) used to buy toy dolls for her.