Is it permissible to say, "Children are beloved of God"?

Nothing should be attributed to Allah without evidence. There are explicit texts regarding those whom Allah loves, either by their characteristics or their persons, such as those who repent (At-Tawwabīn), those who do good (Al-Muḥsinīn), the pious (Al-Muttaqīn), and those who visit and love each other for His sake.

Scholars have differed on the fate of children in the afterlife. Some believe that all of them will enter Paradise, while others hold that Muslim children will enter it, but the children of disbelievers will be tested. Therefore, the phrase "children are beloved by Allah" does not align with this difference, because whoever is loved by Allah will certainly enter Paradise.

Furthermore, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade using such a description for a deceased child. Aisha, the Mother of the Believers, reported: "A child died, and I said: 'Blessed be he, a sparrow from the sparrows of Paradise!' Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'Do you not know that Allah created Paradise and created Hell, so He created people for this and people for that?!'"

Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan believes that children are not described as beloved by Allah nor as His enemies because they are not held accountable. Therefore, it is preferable to abandon this expression.