INTRODUCTION:

This writing is about studying the Qur’anic Ayat from surah ali-Imran (3:45) and discussing
its relationship with the issue of baby dumping. The objectives of this writing are to explore
the meaning of baby dumping and how its effect in one’s belief in Qada’ and Qadr. This
writing will cover the meaning of baby dumping, its causes, example of baby dumping and its
impact in Muslim’s life.

DISCUSSION:

Allah S.W.T says,

‫يها فِى ٱل ُّد ْنيَا‬ ْ ‫ٱَّلل يُبَش ُِركِ ِب َك ِل َم ٍۢة ِم ْنهُ ٱ‬

َ ‫س ُمهُ ٱ ْل َمسِي ُح عِي‬
ًۭ ‫سى ٱ ْب ُن َم ْريَ َم َو ِج‬ َ َّ َّ‫ت ٱ ْل َملَ ٰـٰٓئِكَةُ يَ ٰـ َم ْريَ ُم إِن‬
ِ َ‫إِذْ قَال‬
(٤٥) ‫َوٱ ْلـَٔاخِ َر ِة َومِ ٱل ُمق َّربِين‬
َ ْ َ‫ن‬

Translation: Tafsir Ibn Kathir: (Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam! Verily, Allah
gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him, his name will be Al-Masih, `Isa, the son of
Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and he will be one of those who are
near to Allah.''.

A. Meaning

Belief in Qada and Qadar means to believe without doubt that Allah knows everything, that
He programmed everything in pre-eternity and that He creates things and events based on that
knowledge and program when their time is due. However, disbelief in Qada’ and Qadar may
lead muslims to commit sins that can ruin their lives. The issue of baby dumping is one of the
result of disbelieving in Qada’ and Qadar. Baby dumping refers to parents leaving a child
younger than 12 months in a public or private place with the intent of terminating their care
for the child. It is also known as rehoming when adoptive parents use illegal means, such as
the internet, to find new homes for their children.
The issue of baby dumping is a dangerous issue which against to the teaching of Islam. Al-
Qur’an has clearly prohibited such inhuman act against children. Allah S.W.T says: Say, ˹O
Prophet,˺ “Come! Let me recite to you what your Lord has forbidden to you: do not associate
others with Him ˹in worship˺. ˹Do not fail to˺ honour your parents. Do not kill your children
for fear of poverty. We provide for you and for them. Do not come near indecencies, openly
or secretly. Do not take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺
right.1 This is what He has commanded you, so perhaps you will understand.
[surah al-An’am (6:151)]
Prophet S.A.W also said about taking away a life is one of the biggest sins where most of
baby dumping’s issues resulted in death. In a sahih hadith that was narrated by the two
Shaykhs, al-Bukhari and Muslim, in as-Sahihayn, in which it was narrated that the Prophet
SAW said: “Avoid the seven sins that doom a person to Hell.” We said: What are they, O
Messenger of Allah? He said: “Associating others with Allah (shirk); witchcraft; killing a
soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill, except in cases dictated by Islamic law; consuming
orphans’ wealth; consuming riba; fleeing from the battlefield; and slandering chaste, innocent
women.”
B. Two Causes
Baby dumping is a common issue among students and teenagers. In Malaysia, it is a crime to
abandon a baby. This can be done through Section 302 of the Penal Code or Section 307 of
the Criminal Code. OrphanCare, a non-governmental organization, aims to help women with
unplanned pregnancies by launching Baby Hatch, a programme that aims to reduce the
number of cases of baby abandonment.
Generally, there are two main causes contributes to this:
i. Handicap baby. A child that has a disability is one who suffers from conditions like
hearing loss, speech or language difficulties, or visual impairments. The foetal alcohol
syndrome problem, genetic and chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, and
certain infections during pregnancy are some of the most typical recognised causes of
intellectual disability. The parents reject the belief that their child is handicapped
because they feel ashamed about having a disabled child. Parents who have decided to
give up on their children out of shame or fear face a lot of stigma from people around
them.
ii. Unexpected pregnancy. Every case of baby dumping is preceded by an unintended
pregnancy, which frequently happens as a result of unsafe and unprotected sexual
activity. Lack of sexual education and understanding leads to unsafe sex and
unwanted pregnancy. Most students and teenagers in this situation deal with the same
issues. In this situation, it is simple to become entangled due to the promiscuity of the
other gender. Unintentional pregnancy may result from this action. Due to the fact
that they are still students and unmarried women, they do not want to be responsible
for the child.

C. One Example

In Malaysia, an average of nine babies are reported abandoned each month, with half of them
discovered dead. Many times, there are no records of the babies, thus the police are unable to
identify them. The majority of the suspects reside alone and apart from their families.
Therefore, when they enter relationships and become pregnant, they become anxious and turn
to measures like this. There are also instances where the suspects claim to have found a kid,
but in reality, their relationships with their girlfriends are what gave birth to the child. In a
few situations, they discover messages requesting that the finder take care of the baby or
make burial arrangements for the infant.
For example, police have arrested a higher learning institution (IPT) student in connection
with a baby dumping case. The baby, believed to be a newborn, was found in a black plastic
bag in front of a stall. The initial investigation found that the National Social Welfare
Department also received a call from a suspect who said a baby had been abandoned near the
area. The woman also left her contact number after being persuaded to do so by the
department.
D. Two Impact
1. Impact to religion. As a muslim we must show a good islamic lifestyle. However,
dumping babies can tarnish the image of Islam in Malaysia. This will cause Islam to
be looked down upon by other religions. Other religions will also have less faith in
Islam. The future of Islam may be threatened if this matter is not prevented.
2. Impact to individual and community. The effect of baby dumping on an individual is
that the individual will experience mental and emotional disorders, nervousness and
guilt. At the same time, as a result of the abandonment of the baby, the collapse of
family institutions. They consider children like this to have tarnished their own good
name. This case has affected the image of the surrounding community. They must be
embarrassed and disappointed by what happened.

CONCLUSION:
Based on the discussion above, it can be understood that the issue of baby dumping requires
Muslim to believe in Allah’s planning because everything that happened must have reason
behind it . To prevent this issue from happening again, all Muslims need to strive to do better
things such as constantly performing ibadah to Allah S.W.T and avoiding His prohibitions
such as zina in order to hope for a better future and outcome in their life.