Surah An-Nahl — Verse 58

Word Meanings:

• Bushshira: Given the glad tidings or news (in this context, the news of a newborn daughter).
• Zalla wajhuhu muswaddan: His face turned dark or blackened—a metaphor for extreme distress and grief.
• Kazim: One who suppresses intense anger or sorrow, choking with rage while holding it inside.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse exposes the profound contradiction in the hearts of the polytheists of Mecca. When one of them was told that his wife had given birth to a daughter—a blessing and a gift from Allah—his face would darken with anguish, and he would be filled with overwhelming grief and suppressed fury. He would choke on his anger, unable to express it openly, yet his very countenance betrayed the bitterness within.

This reaction stands in stark contrast to their claim that angels—whom they believed to be daughters of Allah—were noble beings worthy of worship. They rejected for themselves what they attributed to their Creator, displaying a twisted logic that defied reason and justice. How could they despise daughters for themselves, yet assign them to Allah, the Most High, the All-Powerful?

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, ponder the beauty of Islam’s teaching. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: *"Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, nor insult her, nor prefer his son over her, Allah will admit him to Paradise"* (Sunan Abi Dawud). Islam elevated the status of daughters, making their care a path to Paradise and their upbringing a source of immense reward. A daughter is a mercy, a trust, and a blessing—not a burden. She may be the very means by which her parents are saved from the Fire and granted the highest ranks in the Hereafter.

How different is this noble guidance from the darkness of ignorance! Let us embrace the Quran’s call to justice, gratitude, and love for all of Allah’s creation. When we receive a daughter, we should rejoice, for in her may lie our greatest honor and our most profound connection to Allah’s mercy. The true believer sees every gift from Allah as good, for Allah does not decree anything except that it carries wisdom and benefit, even if we do not perceive it at first. So, open your heart to Allah’s decree, and you will find peace in this life and the next.