إِنَّ الْوَلَدَ مَبْخَلَةٌ مَجْبَنَةٌ
Translation: Children can become a cause of stinginess and fearfulness.
Source: أحمد
Love for children is natural. Yet attachment can sometimes lead a person to withhold others’ rights or fear doing what is just. The warning concerns possible weaknesses arising from attachment; it does not condemn children or parental love.
الْوَلَدَ refers to offspring. مَبْخَلَةٌ and مَجْبَنَةٌ express “a cause of stinginess” and “a cause of cowardice.” Both serve as predicates following إِنَّ. The forceful wording highlights a risk and encourages moral balance.
Meeting children’s needs must not become an excuse for injustice, dishonest earnings, or denying others their rights.