Children are seen as a blessing in Islam, and the arrival of a new born child is usually a cause for great joy and celebration. The duties of parents towards their offspring begin from the very first day that they are born. In the Quran, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states:
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones….” [Tahreem 66:6]
This passage contains a clear message which conveys the importance of encouraging ones family to adhere to the teachings of Islam.
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “A virtuous child is a flower from the flowers of Paradise.” He also said, “Among the good fortunes of a man is the virtuous child.”
In today’s world, many of us face a huge challenge whilst raising our children. Educating your children about Islam is an obligation on all parents but trying to do this while being surrounded by undesirable influences can prove to be very difficult. The exposure of children to the internet, television, and the media in general can have an adverse effect on them, and play a part in shaping their personality. This reinforces the importance of the role of parents in guiding their children.
What can we do to ensure that our children are protected from misguidance, and that the basic principles of Islam are deeply rooted in their lives?
1) Supplication
In a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “In the court of Allah, there is no greater thing than Dua” (Ibn Majah)
Parents should make dua for their children and ask Allah (swt) to guide them and make them amongst the best of Muslims. We must remember that dua should not just be restricted to after the child is born, but also at the time at which parents come together for sexual intercourse.
Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (pbuh) said, "If anyone of you, when intending to have a sexual intercourse with his wife, says:
'Bismillah, Allahumma jannibna-sh-shaitan, wa jannibi-sh-shaitan ma razaqtana,' (With the name of Allah, O Allah, keep Shaitaan away from us and keep the Shaitaan away from that which you provide for us) and if the couple are destined to have a child (out of that very sexual relation), then Satan will never be able to harm that child." [Al-Bukhari]
2) Leading by example
Leading by example is not only a Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) but it also plays an important part in parenting. Our children are constantly watching our actions and learning from them, so if we fulfil our duties as good Muslims then they will naturally emulate this. In order for our children to have the best opportunity to be raised as righteous beings, they must have righteous parents as they are essentially a product of what we show and teach them.
