Rewards for Patience in Islam When Losing a Child

There is no doubt that the death of a child is one of the most difficult trials a parent can face in life. Overcoming this profound grief can seem nearly impossible. This article is for all the parents who carry this heavy sorrow in their hearts. The Holy Quran and Hadith describe the immense rewards for patience in Islam, which can bring peace to the heart of any believer. It is hoped that, through this discussion, they may find it a little easier to be patient and, by placing their trust in Almighty Allah, navigate this difficult time—Insha’Allah (God willing).

The Holy Quran and Hadith describe rewards for the patient that can bring peace to the heart of any believer. Those who face their trials with patience will be the recipients of these special rewards. We will explore this topic in detail through four distinct sections.

1. The Quran’s Good News for Those Who Are Patient

Almighty Allah tests His servants through various trials. In the Holy Quran, He has promised immense rewards and glad tidings for those who practice patience (Sabr).

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’ Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.”

[Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses: 155-157]

وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ

“And Allah loves the patient.”

[Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse: 146]

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”

[Surah Az-Zumar, Verse: 10]

2. Hadith on Consolation and the Rewards for Patience in Islam

Many may wonder why Allah tests them with something as immense as taking away a child. The answer to this is clearly given in the Hadith (sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), which detail the profound rewards for patience in Islam. No trial in the life of a believer is in vain; rather, it becomes a means of erasing sins and drawing closer to Allah.

Trials and the Expiation of Sins

Through hardship, Almighty Allah forgives the sins of His believing servants, purifying them.

Aisha (RA), the Mother of the Believers, narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins for it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn.”

[Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6239]

Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“The believing man and the believing woman continue to be tested in their lives, their children, and their wealth until they meet Allah Almighty without any sin.”

[Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2399]

The ‘House of Praise’ (Bayt al-Hamd) in Paradise

If parents who have lost a child remain patient and praise Allah, a special house is built for them in Jannah (Paradise).

Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“When a person’s child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, ‘Have you taken the soul of My servant’s child?’ They reply, ‘Yes.’ He asks, ‘Have you taken the apple of his eye?’ They reply, ‘Yes.’ He asks, ‘What did My servant say?’ They reply, ‘He praised you and said: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (To Allah we belong and to Him we return).”‘ Allah says: ‘Build a house for My servant in Paradise and name it Bayt al-Hamd (the House of Praise).’”

[Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1021]

A Child as a Forerunner to Paradise

A child who dies at a young age will be a reason for their parents to enter the gates of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.

It was narrated from Qurrah (RA) that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would sit, a man from among his companions who had a young son would come to him. He would bring him from behind and seat him in front of him. The boy passed away, and the father became deeply saddened and stopped attending the Prophet’s (ﷺ) gatherings. When the Prophet (ﷺ) didn’t see him, he asked, “Why do I not see so-and-so?” The companions replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah! His young son has passed away.’

Later, when the Prophet (ﷺ) met him, he asked, “What happened to your young son?” The man replied, ‘He has passed away.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) then consoled him and advised him to be patient. Then he said:

“O so-and-so, which would you prefer: to enjoy his presence in your worldly life, or to find him at any gate of Paradise you wish to enter, having arrived there before you to open it for you?” The man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, for him to open the gate of Paradise for me is more beloved to me.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then that is what you shall have.”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith: 2090]

3. A Deeper Reality and Comfort

There is a profound point to consider. Had the child lived, he might have moved far away from his parents for work or other reasons. In this era of moral decline, he might have even strayed onto a wrong path. But by passing away in childhood, Allah has protected him from all such tribulations (fitnah).

“Death” is a stark reality from which there is no escape. But beyond the agony of death (sakrat al-mawt), the punishment of the grave, and the terrors of Judgment Day are our children who passed away before reaching maturity.

In a long hadith, Samurah ibn Jundub (RA) described a dream of the Prophet (ﷺ), in which he said:

“…We proceeded and came to a lush green garden… and in the middle of the garden, there was a man who was taller than the sky… around him was the largest number of children I had ever seen. I asked, ‘Who is he?’ I was told, ‘This is Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, and the children around him are those who died on the Fitrah (the natural state of Islam).’”

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 1386]

Subhan’Allah (Glory be to Allah)! Our children are playing in the gardens of Paradise under the care of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), and they will be a reason for their parents’ entry into Paradise, Insha’Allah.

4. Special Rewards for Patience in Islam: The Case of Miscarriage

For couples whose child dies in the womb or is lost to miscarriage, there is also an unimaginable reward. That fetus, which never saw the light of this world, will also intercede for its parents.

Mu’adh ibn Jabal (RA) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“By the One in Whose hand is my soul! The miscarried fetus will drag his mother by his umbilical cord to Paradise, if she was patient and sought reward for it.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1609]

Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“The miscarried fetus will plead with his Lord when his parents are made to enter the Fire. It will be said to him, ‘O you who pleaded with your Lord! Admit your parents to Paradise.’ Then he will drag them by his umbilical cord until he admits them to Paradise.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1608]

Conclusion and Prayer

We pray to Almighty Allah that He grants all bereaved parents the strength to be patient, so they may become the proud recipients of the ultimate rewards for patience in Islam. Ameen.

Jazakumullahu Khairan (May Allah reward you with goodness).