Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I will enter the Garden with someone who brings up two daughters until they come of age, and we will be like these two," and he indicated his index finger and middle finger.
Hadith Text & Context
Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I will enter the Garden with someone who brings up two daughters until they come of age, and we will be like these two," and he indicated his index finger and middle finger.
Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 894 | Book: Consequences
Linguistic Analysis
The phrase "brings up two daughters until they come of age" (yansha'u al-fatatayn) indicates comprehensive care including physical nourishment, moral education, and protection until marriageable age.
The gesture with "index finger and middle finger" symbolizes inseparable closeness, like two fingers that work together and cannot be separated without difficulty.
Spiritual Significance
This hadith demonstrates the immense reward for caring for female children in a society that often neglected them. The Prophet's companionship in Paradise signifies the highest level of honor.
The specification of "two daughters" indicates that the reward increases with greater responsibility, though scholars agree the virtue applies to caring for any number of daughters.
Practical Implications
Proper upbringing includes: Islamic education, teaching manners, protecting their chastity, arranging suitable marriages, and treating them with kindness and justice.
The hadith encourages Muslims to overcome cultural prejudices against female children and recognize them as means of great spiritual reward.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Nawawi comments that this hadith shows the superiority of caring for daughters, especially in societies where they were viewed as burdens.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that the closeness indicated by the two fingers represents both physical proximity in Paradise and spiritual affinity with the Prophet.