Table of contents
Children and Islam
Respected individuals! Children are the center of hopes, aspirations, and desires for any society because the future’s construction relies upon them. Therefore, children deserve more attention, compassion, and immense love rightfully compared to all other classes. From a societal perspective, the importance of children is acknowledged, and hence, children’s rights have been clearly outlined in Islamic teachings.
Islamic social life is not unilateral but comprehensive. Just as the obedience of parents and good conduct towards them are emphasized, children’s rights have also been revealed. If parents are the fundamental unit in an Islamic society, then children are the result and fruit of that unit. Together, they form the fabric of society. Children hold even more significance because they are not just the personal identity of parents but also the reflection of society’s progress and dynamic life.
Today’s children will become tomorrow’s parents, and today’s youth will become tomorrow’s elders. Due to this, Islam has provided specific guidance regarding children.
Read More: Rights of Spouses and Faithfulness
Children are a Great Blessing
Respected brothers! In the view of the Islamic faith, children hold immense importance for several reasons. They are a great blessing and the best gift from Allah Almighty. Today’s children are the architects of the future, the means of family continuity, the cause of community growth and recognition, and indeed, a form of Allah’s assistance.
In the influence of Islam, children are perceived as the means to introduce, preserve, and protect societal and social values. Allah has entrusted children to their parents, so we are responsible for safeguarding this trust, striving for their excellent upbringing, and considering children a great blessing, commanding their care. Parents have been appointed as guardians over their children. Thus, it is incumbent upon parents to strive for their children’s proper nurturing and promising future and to continuously consider their rights.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
«الرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ، وَهُوَ مَسْئُوْلٌ عَنْهُمْ، وَالْـمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ عَلَى بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا وَوَلَدِهِ، وَهِيَ مَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْهُمْ»([1])
([1]) “صحيح البخاري” كتاب الأحكام، ر:7138، صـ1229.
‘A man is a guardian over his family and will be asked about those under his care. A woman is a guardian over her husband’s home and his children, and she will be asked about them.’ (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Therefore, both parents must fulfill their roles as guardians and caretakers of their children and household, as they will be held accountable for their responsibilities towards their families.
Read More: Rights of Relatives
Rights of Parents upon Children
Dear friends! We have many obligations towards our children. Among them, the foremost duty is to familiarize them with the commands of Allah and His Messenger and to pray for them.
«ثَلاَثُ دَعَوَاتٍ يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُنَّ لاَ شَكَّ فِيهِنَّ»
These teachings are the best investment for their worldly and hereafter success, protection, and salvation. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘Three supplications are surely answered.’ Among these, he mentioned:
«دَعْوَةُ الْوَالِدِ لِوَلَدِهِ»([2])
‘The supplication of the parent for their child.’ From this, it is evident that parents’ prayers are indeed accepted for the sake of their children.
قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَى وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي﴾([3])
The Holy Quran perpetually mentions a virtuous person whose state is expressed as: ‘He said, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants.”‘ (Surah An-Naml, 27:19)
This illustrates that parents pray for the betterment of their children. They sow the seeds of good morals, encourage righteous deeds, and urge kindness and benevolence towards all. Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: ‘Teach yourselves and your family goodness.’
«عَلِّمُوْا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيْكُمُ الْخَيْرَ!»([4])
Therefore, parents are responsible for guiding their children towards righteousness and instilling in them the values of kindness, good deeds, and benevolence towards others.
Read More: Huqooq ul Ibad
Educate your Child!
It is our liability, city, to teach our children Deen and the world according to their age. We must educate our children in a way that children love to learn and acquire knowledge. We must make sure that children follow the schools and educational patterns. Cultivating a keen interest in lessons and asking teachers necessary questions can be encouraged. The impact of what they learn should be observed at home and among their friends so that we can gauge how much our efforts will enrich our society and our nation.
Teach Children Manners
Respected individuals! We must teach our sons and daughters manners such as good conduct towards parents, respect, obedience, and compliance with their commands. Introduce them to relatives, maintain relationships with them, and educate them about the etiquette and ways of interaction to foster kinship bonds.
«تَعَلَّمُوْا مِنْ أَنْسَابِكُمْ مَا تَصِلُونَ بِهِ أَرْحَامَكُمْ؛ فَإِنَّ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ مَحَبَّةٌ فِي الْأَهْلِ مَثْرَاةٌ فِي الـْمَالِ، مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الْأَثَرِ»([5])
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: ‘Learn about your lineage so that you may maintain ties with your kin, for maintaining family ties causes love among families and increases wealth and lifespan.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Therefore, recognizing and maintaining relationships with relatives contributes to love within the family and brings blessings and longevity in wealth and life.
Good Upbringing
We must teach our children hospitality etiquette, following the prophets and messengers. Moreover, we must teach neighbors their rights and listen to what elders say regarding any good topic. Especially when elders speak, kids must stay silent and listen carefully when someone explains something. When there is a chance to add something, kids must speak with politeness and respect—weigh your words before speaking.
«مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ، فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ، فَلْيُكْرِمْ جَارَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ، فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ»([6])
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, succinctly encapsulated these etiquettes by saying: ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak what is good or remain silent. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor their neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor their guest.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet, peace be upon him, always emphasized what Islam says about their significant impact on society.
Human Nature
Dear friends! Undoubtedly, every person is born with a pure and clean nature:
فِطْرَةَ اللهِ الَتِيْ فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا﴾([7])
“The natural disposition made by Allah on which He created mankind.” (Quran, 30:30). Then, as individuals grow, they are influenced by good or bad, adopting excellent or bad qualities.
وَنَفْسٍ وَّمَا سَوَّاهَا* فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُوْرَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا* قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا* وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا﴾([8])
Allah Almighty guides us: “And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption].” (Quran, 91:7-10)
When a person grows up in an environment that emphasizes ethics, manners, and a good upbringing, they become a good member of society. Parents play the most crucial role in children’s initial and vital development. If a father remains occupied only with work, friends, or a mobile phone and doesn’t give time to the children, similarly, if a mother remains occupied only with household chores or friends and doesn’t give special attention to the children, then the children themselves pick up these elements as part of their character. In such a scenario, one should reflect on how grateful we’ve been for this blessing of Allah concerning our children. How can we answer to Allah concerning them?
DUA
“O Allah! Please help to educate our children in a well-mannered way and bless them with the wealth to pray for their well-being. Moreover, what Prophet Muhammad ﷺ teaches us regarding social ethics and manners. O Allah! Purify us in both ways.
وصلّى الله تعالى على خير خلقِه سيّدنا ونبيِّنا وحبيبِنا وقرّةِ أعيُننا محمّدٍ وّعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين وبارَك وسلَّم، والحمد لله ربّ العالمين!.
([2]) “سنن ابن ماجه” كتاب الدعاء، ر: 3862، صـ651.
([4]) “شعب الإيمان” للبيهقي، 60، ر: 8704، 6/2911 .
([5]) “سنن الترمذي” أبواب البرّ والصلة، ر: 1979، صـ458.