MUI: Islam Does Not Prohibit Day Care, But...
The surge in cases of violence at child day care centres has raised questions about Islam’s perspective on the practice. Chairman of the Fatwa Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Surakarta, KH Ahmad Muhamad Mustain Nasoha, affirmed that entrusting children to day care is fundamentally permissible in Islam, as long as it does not replace the primary responsibility of parents.
According to him, in Islamic teachings, children are a trust that must be guarded, cared for, and raised with full responsibility. This principle is emphasised in the word of Allah SWT, Surah At-Tahrim verse 6:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا,
Meaning: “Protect yourselves and your families from the Fire.”
Additionally, the Quran also emphasises the obligation of parents, particularly fathers, in meeting children’s needs. In QS Al-Baqarah verse 233, it states:
وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ.
This verse stresses the duty to provide sustenance, care, and proper protection for children.
“Imam Ibnu Jarir At-Thabari in Tafsir Jami’ al-Bayan explains that the father has the primary responsibility to ensure the needs of the mother and child, including food, clothing, and everything that supports the child’s growth and development,” said Gus Mustain, his familiar nickname, to Republika.co.id on Monday (27/4/2026).
Therefore, according to him, the existence of day care can be seen as one modern effort to assist in child rearing, especially when parents have time constraints due to work or certain conditions. However, using child care services does not automatically transfer that responsibility to others.
“Day care is merely a means or medium, not a replacement for the primary role of parents. The responsibility for child rearing remains entirely with the father and mother,” he said.
He added that the concept of bil ma’ruf mentioned in the verse becomes an important standard in assessing the suitability of a day care. This means the child care facility must provide a safe, healthy environment full of affection, and support the child’s physical, mental, and emotional development.
If a day care meets these criteria, he said, its existence can be deemed in accordance with Sharia principles. Conversely, if it involves negligence, violence, or an unhealthy environment, it contradicts Islamic values.
“If there is violence or neglect instead, it clearly violates the trust of child rearing and contradicts the principle of protecting life or hifzh al-nafs,” he stated.
Gus Mustain emphasised that entrusting infants to care services fundamentally falls under the realm of muamalah, so it is permissible. However, this permissibility is conditional. Parents remain obligated to ensure that the care facility is safe, reliable, and truly provides good upbringing.
Islam, he said, does not prohibit parents from utilising assistance from others in raising children. However, Islam also does not justify parents completely relinquishing their responsibility to educate, guide, and raise their children.
“In essence, Islam does not prohibit entrusting children, but it does not justify parents abandoning their primary responsibility in educating and raising their children,” said Gus Mustain.