What is the Islamic ruling on killing children for fear of poverty?

Killing children for fear of poverty is unequivocally forbidden (haram) in Islam and is considered a major sin. The Quran, in verses like 17:31 and 6:151, explicitly prohibits it, reassuring believers that Allah provides sustenance for both the children and the parents. [6]

Why did some pre-Islamic Arabs kill their children?

According to Islamic sources, some pre-Islamic Arabs practiced infanticide for two main reasons: fear of poverty (imlaq) for both male and female children, and a sense of shame or social disgrace associated with the birth of daughters. Islam completely abolished these practices. [7, 5]

What does the Quran say is the alternative to killing children for poverty?

The Quran presents absolute trust in Allah as the Provider (Ar-Razzaq). In verses 17:31 and 6:151, Allah directly commands believers not to kill their children for this reason, stating, "We provide for them and for you." This replaces the fear of poverty with the certainty of divine sustenance.

Killing Children for Fear of Poverty in Islam: Quranic Prohibition & Divine Sustenance

killing children for fear of poverty

Explore Verses Related to killing children for fear of poverty

🕋Al-An'am6:137

At a Glance

According to the unanimous consensus of classical Islamic scholarship, the act of killing children for fear of poverty is an abhorrent major sin, absolutely forbidden (haram) in Islam. This practice, known from the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), was directly addressed and abolished by the Quran. [7] The tafsir of classical authorities like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir on key verses such as 6:151 and 17:31 explains that this act stems from a profound lack of faith in Allah as the Provider (Ar-Razzaq). The Quranic narrative counters this fear-based worldview by giving a divine guarantee: "We provide for them and for you." [13] The prohibition is thus not merely a legal ruling but a foundational tenet of faith, demanding complete trust (Tawakkul) in Allah's sustenance and upholding the absolute sanctity of life He creates.

📖 Quranic Context

The prohibition is a cornerstone of Islamic ethics, contrasting the ignorance (Jahiliyyah) of pre-Islamic Arabia with the compassion and trust in God central to Islam. [7]

The act represents a profound lack of faith in Allah as Ar-Razzaq (The Provider), directly challenging His divine attribute of sustenance.

References: Key verses include 6:137, 6:151, 17:31, and 60:12. [4]

💭 Theological Perspective

Addresses the human fear of scarcity and contrasts it with the required spiritual state of Tawakkul (reliance on God).

Demonstrates how fear (khashyah) of poverty can be a motivation for grave sins, a concept exploited by Shaytan (Satan).

Serves as a direct command from Allah to trust His plan for provision and to uphold the sanctity of every soul He creates.

Overcoming this fear is a sign of mature faith (Iman) and true reliance on Allah.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) identified killing a child for fear that they would share one's food as the second greatest sin after Shirk (associating partners with Allah). [13]

Sanctity of life
Allah as the ultimate provider
Condemnation of pre-Islamic practices

There is universal agreement among all Islamic scholars that infanticide for any reason, especially fear of poverty, is a major, prohibited sin (haram).

💎 Deeper Insights

A profound linguistic subtlety exists between Quran 6:151 and 17:31 that addresses two distinct types of poverty-related fear. In 6:151, the phrase is 'min imlaq' ('from poverty'), and Allah says 'We provide for YOU and them,' addressing parents already poor. In 17:31, the phrase is 'khashyata imlaq' ('for FEAR of poverty'), and Allah says 'We provide for THEM and you,' addressing those not yet poor but who fear future hardship, assuring them the child's provision comes first. [19]

— Ibn Kathir, Contemporary Scholars