Being Muslim elders, parents, and adults, we all have great accountability to back our children’s moral and religious growth. This is not a mere counseling, but an obligation Allah gives us. This is true beyond simply advising our children. We play a vital role in teaching them this religion's tenets and principles and guiding them to goodness and perfection in every aspect of their lives.
It is not just an obligation of a parent or guardian to teach Islam to their child, but rather a practical leadership, building noble characteristics and a deep bond with Allah. It is also vital to cultivate in our children the understanding that honesty, integrity, empathy, and kindness are not just hollow words but principles they must live by daily. We must train them to be respectful to their elders as well as sympathetic to their peers, regardless of their religions or origins.
As the Quran beautifully states, “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel are people and stones”. Quran 66:6. This line evokes the vitality of protecting our families from spiritual darkness and feeding their souls with the light of faith. We, as parents or guardians, need to provide a cordial environment that is filled with love, respect, and harmony within our homes where our children can grow and bloom in their faith. To rear up a virtuous Islamic child, praise is the cornerstone. Whether or not they should consider themselves successful or not, encouraging their efforts and giving credit for their progress brings confidence and self-esteem in them. As stated in the Quran, “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me” (Quran 2:152). When we express gratitude to our children and let them know how much we appreciate them, we create an upbeat atmosphere, where they realize how much they are treasured and cherished.
Respect is the very base of the interaction we build with our kids. The addition of Islamic greetings like “JazakAllah khairan” and the highlighting of the role of this manner shows the Islamic perspective. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has stated that everyone who lacks kindness is deprived of goodness. Hence through our deeds of respectful behavior, we help our children to recognize the importance of being kind, and polite and showing compassion to everyone.
Providing our kids with the liberty to play and unravel is pivotal for us whose eyes are wide open to the greater significance of childhood. As Allah says in the Quran, “And [He created] the horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.” (Quran 16:8). However, through the careful development of their imagination and inventiveness, we aim to instill in them an exploration of the world and support the growth of awe and wonder concerning nature and Allah’s creation. User and instructing our children in making important decisions is a key critical facet of upbringing. Engaging them in the planning and problem-solving processes ensures that they can direct their next action and understand the benefits of past experiences.
As Allah records, “Then consult on the matter together” a statement in the Quran. And after that, you make the decision, then you have to believe in Allah. Yes, among others, He dearly loves those who commit themselves [entirely] to Him.” Authority is no longer rooted solely in knowledge, expertise, or assertion of facts, but is earned through collaboration and this leads to achieving common goals.
Transforming grown-ups into adults who respect their children’s opinions, listen carefully, and consider their feelings as equal is building a trusting and caring home. According to the Quran, “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel are people and stones”. Analyze potential impacts on income distribution, skills/job destruction, and causes of economic disparities. Through creating an atmosphere where the students feel adequately heard and respected we engender them as belonging and competent part of our community. Transforming spaces within the home to our children’s personal space will help them create a strong self-identity and high self-respect. With the provision of such a place where they feel safe and powerful, we work our way into their hearts and allow them to be who they truly are. Allah says in the Quran, “Say, In the bounty of Allah and His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate” (Quran 10:58). By showering them with love and care, we are providing them an atmosphere of growth and success. An example of role modeling in religious faith matters, particularly in doing Salah, is very important in passing the Islamic values to the children in our families. According to the Quran, “And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein” (Quran 20:132). We illustrate to them that through our ways of prayer, worship is crucial and breathtakingly beautiful such that they’ll emulate us and develop a close relationship with Allah.
Promoting curiosity and inquiry about Islam will immerse them in a deeper understanding of faith and enhance their bond with Allah. According to the Quran, “So ask the people of the message if you do not know” (Quran 16:43). We try to empower them with correct and age-appropriate answers to their questions to enable them to negotiate the complexities of life with confidence and faith. Maintaining honesty through keeping promises we make to our children lets kids know that being reliable and responsible matters. According to the Quran, “Indeed, Allah does not like deceitful”. (Quran 8:58).
Through our reliability and truthfulness in deeds, we teach them to value integrity and morality without any exception. Not underestimating the power of dawah, we must pray to Allah for our children frequently asking Him to guide them and help them to be successful. According to the Quran, “And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near” (Quran 2:236). Through the process of entrusting our matters to Allah, and asking him for help and direction, we show our faith in him, as the source of strength and support.
Teaching the young about resilience through failure is pivotal to their learning to be persistent and rely on Allah’s plan. As mentioned in the Quran, “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]” (Quran 2:45). Through encouraging them to learn from their mistakes and never giving up seeking mercy from Allah, we instill within them the courage and steadfastness to deal with challenges by faith and being strong.
By showing humility and repentance through apologizing to our children whenever we make mistakes, we are teaching them the value of being accountable and humble. As stated in the Quran, “And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (Quran 24:31). Admission of our
faults and seeking forgiveness are meant to demonstrate the significance of sincerity and humility in seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
We boost kindness and generosity when we praise our children and treat them for their good actions instead of only pointing out their mistakes. As mentioned in the Quran, “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed” (Quran 4:125). Through the recognition and appreciation we give, we motivate them to continue seeking perfection and righteousness in every aspect of their lives.
Setting up the core of our Quranic studies in daily life, as a common practice makes our children fall in love with the Quran and its messages. As mentioned in the Quran, “Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable.” (Quran 17:9). We create an opportunity for them to call on Allah through the
Quran’s recitation and study often by acting as a bridge that joins them to the spiritual life and purity of the divine words of Allah as well as to equip them with knowledge and wisdom for a smooth life. Making it a point to constantly acknowledge and value the relationship that we have with our children is important in the process of emotionally nourishing them as well as creating a very strong bond between the family members and showing them love. As mentioned in the Quran, “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Quran 30:21).
Rather than simply showing love verbally, the Prophet’s way teaches us to express that love physically by kissing and embracing our children with love and kindness. Through this means, we can build an atmosphere that is charged with affection and appreciation. It is not just our responsibility but it is a sacred duty which has been given to us by Allah to nurture our children’s moral and religious development. By providing a nurturing environment that consists of seeing them, hearing them, and showering them with love, care, and discipline, we shape the values of integrity, honesty, and empathy in our children. We become a source of guidance and inspiration to them by reflecting Islamic values in our deeds and lessons. In this way, they form a firm bond with Allah and strive to be model humans. As parents and guardians, we are the ones who should be role models, ignite their curiosity, and instill in them the spirit of resilience so that they will be good and just people who will make our society better. Through Allah's Guidance combined with our absolute persistence, we can trail-build for our off-springs to grow even more on the Spiritual, Emotional, and Moral fronts, which will realize the principles of Islam in their daily routine.
The Author is Social Worker. He can be mailed at wanimran169@gmail.com
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