What are the rights of Children? 

Rights of Children in Islam: Islam recognizes the rights of children, and these rights are embedded in Islamic teachings. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of treating children justly and kindly. The rights of children in Islam are numerous the following include a few major rights of a child: 

Right to Life: Every child has the right to be born and live in a safe and healthy environment. Islam prohibits practices such as infanticide and abortion except in cases of necessity. 

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَـٰدَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَـٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْـًۭٔا كَبِيرًۭا 

Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely killing them is a heinous sin. 

)Surah Al Israh: 31) 

Right to a Name and Lineage: Children have the right to be given a good and meaningful name, and they have the right to know their lineage and heritage. 

عَنْ أَبِي وَهْبٍ، – وَكَانَتْ لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ – قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ تَسَمَّوْا بِأَسْمَاءِ الأَنْبِيَاءِ وَأَحَبُّ الأَسْمَاءِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ 

It was narrated that Abu Wahb (ra), who was a Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ), said: 

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Call (your children) by the names of the prophets. And the most beloved names to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, are ‘Abdullah and ‘Abdur-Rahman. 

(Sunan an-Nasa’i 3565) 

Right to Basic Needs: Children have the right to be provided with their basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare. Parents are obligated to ensure their children’s well-being. 

وَعَلَى ٱلْمَوْلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ 

The child’s father will provide reasonable maintenance and clothing for the mother ˹during that period˺.  

)Surah Al Baqara 233) 

Right to Education: Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, and children have the right to receive education. Parents are responsible for providing both religious and worldly education to their children. 

Islam places a strong emphasis on seeking knowledge, and this includes the education of children. Parents are encouraged to provide both religious and worldly education to their children. The first revelation of the Quran emphasizes the importance of knowledge. 

ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ  خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ  ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ  

“Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous.” 

 (Surah Al-Alaq: 1-3) 

Right to Protection: Children have the right to be protected from harm, abuse, and neglect. Islam strictly prohibits the mistreatment, abuse, or exploitation of children. 

عَنْ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ امْرَأَةً وُجِدَتْ فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِي النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَقْتُولَةً، فَأَنْكَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَتْلَ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِ 

Narrated by`Abdullah (ra): 

During some of the Ghazawat of the Prophet (ﷺ) a woman was found killed. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) disapproved the killing of women and children. 

(Sahih al-Bukhari 3014) 

Right to Love and Compassion: Children have the right to be treated with kindness, love, and compassion. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) set a strong example of showing affection to children. 

أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ “‏ أَكْرِمُوا أَوْلاَدَكُمْ وَأَحْسِنُوا أَدَبَهُمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ 

Anas bin Malik narrated that the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said: 

“Be kind to your children, and perfect their manners.” 

(Sunan Ibn Majah 3671) 

Right to Play and Recreation: Children have the right to engage in play and recreational activities. The Prophet Muhammad encouraged playful interactions with children and participated in joyful activities with them. 

قَالَ أَنَسٌ أَتَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى غِلْمَانٍ يَلْعَبُونَ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ ‏. 

Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (ra): 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to some children who were playing: and He greeted them. 

(Sunan Abi Dawud 5202) 

Right to Inheritance: Children have the right to inherit from their parents. Islamic inheritance laws ensure that children receive a share of their parents’ estate. 

يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۚ فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءًۭ فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ ۖ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْفُ ۚ  

Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male will be twice that of the female. If you leave only two ˹or more˺ females, their share is two-thirds of the estate. But if there is only one female, her share will be one-half.  

(Surah Nisa: 11) 

Right to Justice & Respect: Children have the right to be treated justly and fairly. Islam prohibits favouritism among children and emphasizes equitable treatment. Children have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Islam encourages parents to communicate with their children in a kind and respectful manner. 

عَنْ النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ، يَخْطُبُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ اعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ أَبْنَائِكُمُ اعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ أَبْنَائِكُمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ 

An-Nu’man bin Bashir (ra) delivered a Khutbah and said: 

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Treat your children fairly, treat your children fairly.” 

(Sunan an-Nasa’i 3687) 

It’s important to note that these rights are intertwined with the responsibilities of parents and guardians. Parents are held accountable for fulfilling these rights and ensuring the well-being and proper upbringing of their children. Islam places a strong emphasis on the family unit as the foundation of society, and the rights of children are a fundamental aspect of that foundation. 

Rights of Children according to UN: 

 The Declaration of the Rights of the Child is an international document promoting child rights. It was drafted by Eglantyne Jebb and adopted by the League of Nations in 1924, and adopted in an extended form by the United Nations in 1959. The declaration consists of ten principles that affirm the rights of children to protection, education, health, social security, and participation. The declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th November 1959. 

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child lays down ten principles : 

1. The right to equality, without distinction on account of race, religion or national origin.
2. The right to special protection for the child’s physical, mental and social development.
3. The right to a name and a nationality.
4. The right to adequate nutrition, housing and medical services.
5. The right to special education and treatment when a child is physically or mentally handicapped.
6. The right to understanding and love by parents and society.
7. The right to recreational activities and free education.
8. The right to be among the first to receive relief in all circumstances.
9. The right to protection against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation.
10. The right to be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, and universal brotherhood.