a) As a child and as an adolescent
During the time of pre-Islamic era (period before Islam), female infanticide has been a practice of some Arabian tribes but the Qur'an forbade this custom and consider it a crime like any other murder. Criticizing the attitude of such parents who reject their female children, the Qur'an states:
When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on? (Qur-an 16:58-59)
And from the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad:
"Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise." (Ibin-Hanbal, No. 1957)
"Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this ( and he pointed with his two fingers held together)."
A similar Hadeeth deals in like manner with one who supports two sisters. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 2104):
The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim." (Al-Bayhaqi). Muslims as used here includes both males and females.
-Nessa Rj, 17/05/2012
(source: The Status of Woman in Islam by Dr. Jamal A. Badawi, April 1980)