<![CDATA[This research is motivated by the gap between the recommendation to have more offspring and the social reality in which some children do not receive adequate care, protection, affection, education, and fulfillment of their basic needs. This study aims to analyze the meaning of the hadith Tazawwajū al-wadūda al-walūda, fa-innī mukāthirun bikumul-umam, examine the meanings of al-wadūd, al-walūd, and mukāthir, and analyze their relevance to the phenomenon of child neglect in contemporary Muslim families. This research employs a qualitative method with a library research approach. The primary data consist of the hadith narrated by Abū Dāwūd and relevant hadith commentaries, while secondary data include books, journal articles, and scholarly literature concerning family, parenting, children's rights, and child neglect. The data are analyzed descriptively and analytically through the ma‘ānī al-ḥadīṡ approach by considering linguistic aspects, the context of the hadith, scholarly interpretations, and contemporary social conditions. The findings indicate that the recommendation to have more offspring does not merely mean increasing the number of children but must be understood together with the values of affection and parental responsibility toward the generations being raised. The meaning of al-wadūd emphasizes affection within the family, al-walūd refers to offspring, while mukāthir relates to the continuity of future generations. The hadith is relevant to the phenomenon of child neglect because having offspring must be accompanied by the fulfillment of children's rights, protection, education, affection, and proper care.]]>
