Respected elders and dear friends! Islam has given children the same status in our society as is accorded to other segments of humanity. The compassionate and loving treatment that the Master of the Universe ﷺ showed towards children is both a reflection of their status in society and a guiding light for us. The importance of children’s rights can be gauged from the fact that Islam safeguards these rights even before their birth. Therefore, we are instructed to choose a righteous, noble, chaste, and well-mannered mother for these children. Furthermore, Islam has included rulings on financial maintenance (nafaqah), bequests (wasiyyah), inheritance, and endowments (waqf) among children’s rights. Such a comprehensive coverage of children’s rights, guaranteeing them even before their birth, is unparalleled in any other legal system in the world.

Islam, unlike any other, has detailed the rights of children just as it has for other members of society. Before Islam, people would kill their children at birth. It is the religion of Islam that laid the foundation for abolishing this abominable practice, warning those who did so of a dire consequence. The Lord of Majesty says:

“Certainly lost are those who have killed their children foolishly, without knowledge, and have forbidden what Allah has provided for them, inventing a lie against Allah. They have certainly gone astray and are not guided.” (Quran, 6:140)

The Wise Quran also prohibits killing children for fear of poverty:

“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for you and for them.” (Quran, 6:151)

Before Islam, daughters were considered very bad, and they were buried alive innocently, which is sheer ignorance and oppression. On the Day of Judgment, there will be questioning about this, and these innocent baby girls will be asked for what crime they were killed by their parents. They will testify about their innocent murder, as mentioned by the Creator of the Universe in one place:

“And when the baby girl buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed.” (Quran, 81:8-9)
This blessed verse shows that killing innocent children is forbidden and an act of oppression for which the oppressor will be held accountable.

Praise be to Allah! Islam is the true religion of Allah. While it has overseen various spheres of human life and supported humanity in different endeavors, it has not neglected the matter of children’s upbringing, education, training, and development. Rather, it emphasized its importance and provided complete guidance. For all the stages a child goes through from birth to adulthood, wherever they need guidance according to human nature, the religion of Islam has identified all these points. It has commanded better education, upbringing, nurturing, food and drink, clothing, fulfillment of rights, and good treatment of children, while stern warnings have been issued for those who neglect these rights.

Every Child is Born upon the Fitrah (Natural Disposition of Islam)

My esteemed elders and friends! Every child born to a human is naturally upon the religion of Islam, meaning a child is born a Muslim by nature. Later, their parents change their religion. A child is influenced by the environment they are given. The Chosen Mercy ﷺ said:

“Every child is born upon the Fitrah (natural disposition). Then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

After the child’s birth, it is an extremely important duty of the parents to have the Adhan called in its right ear and the Iqamah in its left ear by a pious Muslim, to give it something sweet (Tahneek), to care for its health, to take precautionary measures to protect it from all possible diseases, to acquaint it with Islamic teachings from its birth, and to teach it Islamic etiquette. Mentioning the responsibility immediately after birth, the Master of the Two Worlds ﷺ said:

“Whoever has a child born to him and calls the Adhan in its right ear and the Iqamah in its left ear, then Umm al-Sibyan (a type of disease like epilepsy) will not harm him.”
In this way, a child is acquainted with the fundamental teachings of Islam from the moment of birth, and through its blessings, they are also protected from diseases like epilepsy.

The Child’s Right to a Good Name

Dear friends! It is also a child’s right to be given a beautiful, meaningful name. Before Islam, people used to give their children strange and odd names. The Prophet ﷺ disliked such names and commanded that good names be chosen. Abu al-Darda (RA) narrates that the Master of the Two Worlds ﷺ said:

“Indeed, you will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers. So, make your names good.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
From this, we learn that children’s names should always be good, respectful, and meaningful. It is best to name them after the noble Prophets, the Companions, the saints, and the pious elders of the faith; so that the names are good and the children also receive the blessings of the greats. For example, names like Abdullah, Abdul Rahman, Abdul Qadir, Muhammad, Ahmad, and Hamid should be chosen.

The Right to Breastfeeding (Rida’ah)

Respected brothers! A woman feeding her child milk is called Rida’ah (breastfeeding). After birth, a child is extremely weak, making it impossible for it to protect and nourish its life with any food other than the mother’s milk. Therefore, naturally, after the child’s birth, love and compassion for the child are placed in the mother’s heart, which urges her to breastfeed the child. Allah has made it obligatory upon the father to arrange for the child to be breastfed, as this is a fundamental right of the child and extremely beneficial for its health. Modern medical research has also proven that, considering the child’s physical and psychological needs, a two-year breastfeeding period is essential. The health of both the mother and the child lies in this. This is the blessing of Islam’s teachings that it informed us of the guiding principles of life from the very beginning, which science is confirming centuries later. Regarding this right of the child, Allah the Lord of the Worlds says:

“Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father’s] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.” (Quran, 2:233)

The Right to Upbringing (Parwarish)

Respected brothers! The upbringing of children is one of the most important responsibilities of parents. A person should strive to feed and clothe their children well, fulfill their legitimate needs within the boundaries of Shariah, protect them from sins, guide them towards good deeds, keep them away from bad company and encourage them to be in the company of righteous people. Tell them stories of righteous people and encourage them to follow in their footsteps. Raise children in such a way that they are adorned with moral excellence. It is clear that good upbringing and nurturing of children is also an important cause for salvation in the Hereafter and entry into Paradise. Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that the Master of the Universe ﷺ said:

“There is no man whose two daughters reach adulthood and he is good to them as long as they are with him, except that they will admit him into Paradise.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

The Right to Education and Training (Tarbiyat)

Companions of the Islamic community! Another important right among children’s rights is to provide them with good education and training. By raising children well, make them good, responsible, and exemplary Muslims. This is the primary responsibility of parents because if a child is properly cared for, they grow up with numerous capabilities, play a better role in the world, and can benefit themselves and the entire society. Mentioning the initial stages of children’s training, the Eternal Master ﷺ said:

“Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they become ten years old, and separate them in beds.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)

The Right to Affection and Mercy

Respected beloved ones! It is obligatory upon parents to treat their children with softness, affection, love, and kindness. Undue harshness and scolding have a bad effect on children. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ kissed Al-Hasan (RA). A Bedouin was sitting with the Prophet ﷺ and said, “I have ten children, and I have never kissed any of them!” The Master of the Universe ﷺ looked at him and said:

“He who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The Right to Justice and Fairness

Brothers in Islam! Among the rights of children is that they should be treated equally when giving them something. Giving more to one and less to another is injustice and oppression. Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir (RA) narrates that his father, Bashir (RA), brought him to the court of the Chosen Mercy ﷺ and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have given this son of mine a slave as a gift.” The Master of the Universe ﷺ asked, “Have you given every one of your children the same?” He replied, “No.” The Master of the Two Worlds ﷺ said, “Then take it back.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The Rights of Orphaned Children

Brothers of the Islamic community! While Islam has guided us in safeguarding the rights of our own children, it has also strongly emphasized the rights of orphaned children. The Quran, in several places, commands good treatment, love, and compassion towards orphans. It instructs the protection of orphans’ property and their care. A severe warning has been issued for those who wrong them, violate their rights, and usurp their wealth. The statement of Allah the Exalted is:

“Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze.” (Quran, 4:10)

Distinguished audience! The home where orphaned children are treated well, no matter how dilapidated it may appear or how weak its financial condition, in the eyes of Islam, it is a great and lofty household. And the home where the rights of orphans are violated, where they are treated unjustly, no matter how good it may appear or how financially stable, in the eyes of Islam, it is the worst household. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Beloved of Allah ﷺ said:

“The best house among the Muslims is the house in which an orphan is treated well, and the worst house among the Muslims is the house in which an orphan is treated badly.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Conclusion

Worthy companions! Everyone knows that the secret to the rise and fall of nations lies largely in the education and training of the new generation. If they are raised well, and they acquire firmness in beliefs, rectitude in character, and purity in actions, then they develop high character, breadth of vision and thought, and a sense of self-respect. The history of nations shows that those who paid full attention to their children’s education and training were successful in every era. Those who did not realize its importance and remained neglectful of their children’s proper upbringing did not receive any honor in society. The teachings of Islam make it clear that by guaranteeing life, education, upbringing, and other basic rights for children, just like other members of society, Islam has laid the foundation for an ideal civilization. Islam established the rights of children even before their birth, aiming to emphasize the better development of future generations and making children good members of society.

Dua (Supplication)

O Allah! Grant us the ability to fulfill the rights of our children, to remove harmful things from them, to enjoin them to do good, and to forbid them from evil. Grant us the ability to support orphans and treat them with kindness. Grant us the ability to provide them with good and virtuous upbringing. Help Muslims everywhere in the world where oppression and tyranny are occurring. Save them from the atrocities of the disbelievers. Grant freedom to our Kashmiri and Palestinian Muslim brothers and sisters. Protect their lives, wealth, and honor. Resolve the issue of Kashmir for them with goodness and blessings. Keep those guarding the borders of our beloved homeland in Your protection and safety.

Protect our beloved country from internal and external dangers and conspiracies. Protect us all from all kinds of terrorism, strife, discord, bloodshed, killing and devastation, plundering, and all accidents. Grant our rulers religious and political understanding and insight to reform this God-given state, and grant them the ability to serve the country and nation with sincerity. Grant mercy to those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the faith and the beloved homeland; elevate their ranks. Grant us the ability to obey You and Your Beloved Prophet ﷺ truly.

O Allah! Purify our inner and outer selves from all impurities. Grant us the ability to reform our lives according to the Quran and Sunnah by acting upon the teachings of Your Beloved Prophet ﷺ, and to obey with the true love and sincerity for the Master of the Two Worlds ﷺ and his Companions. Grant us goodness in this world and the Hereafter. Grant us a plentiful share of the beloved prayers of the Beloved Mustafa ﷺ. Make us Your and Your Beloved’s ﷺ favored servants. O Allah! Have mercy on all Muslims, protect them all, and make us perform those deeds in which Your pleasure is attained. Grant goodness to the entire Muslim world, Amen, O Lord of the Worlds!

And may Allah the Exalted send blessings and peace upon the best of His creation and the light of His Throne, our Master, our Prophet, our Beloved, the apple of our eyes, Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions, and may He bless him and grant him peace. And all praise is to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds!