adminUmari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks
CHILDREN are regarded as the future of any community. Hence it is only natural much importance is given to their upbringing so that the aspirations of the community can be realised. If a community aspires to produce productive, complex free and responsible adults, such a community should invest in an educational system that will inculcate good moral values in the children with an environment which is free from all forms of abusive tendencies. Islam has granted children certain rights over their parents/guardians so as to protect them from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
It is for the same reason that Islam has emphasised the need to treat children with kindness and mercy.
A child in Islam is regarded free from responsibility until he/she attains puberty, because it is at that age that a child becomes psychologically and physically mature enough to shoulder responsibilities. The following are some of the basic principles regarding the status of children in Islam.
Sound moral upbringing
All the Messengers of The Almighty and lastly the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have stressed that the brief earthly stay of a human being is an introduction to the everlasting life of eternity. It therefore follows that greater attention is paid to the betterment of prospects in the life to come and attainment of happiness in the Hereafter in comparison to the affairs and interests of this life.
Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has enjoined upon the parents to take care of the moral and religious instruction of their children from the very beginning, otherwise they will be called to account for negligence on the Day of Judgement.
Parents must inculcate the aspect of God-consciousness in their children from an early age, where the children gain an understanding of duty to The Creator.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “No father gives a better gift to his children than good manners and good character.” Showing of respect to one’s children denotes that they should be treated not as a burden, but a blessing and trust of Allah, and brought up with care and affection.
Status of girls
Daughters are considered an unwanted burden in some societies and instead of rejoicing, an atmosphere of grief and disappointment is produced in the family at their birth. This is the position, today, but in the pre-Islamic times daughters were positively considered a shame and disgrace among the Arabs, so much so that even the right to live was denied to them.
Many a hard-hearted parent used to strangle his daughter to death, with his own hands, when she was born, or bury her alive.
Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said, “Whoever becomes the father of a girl, he should neither hurt her nor treat her with contempt nor show preference over her to his sons in kindness and affection. (Both boys and girls should be treated alike). Allah will grant him paradise in return for kind treatment towards the daughter.”
Abu Saeed Khudri (one of the Companions of the Prophet) relates that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said, “Whoever bears the responsibility of three daughters or sisters or even two daughters or sisters, and bears it well, and looks after their training and welfare properly, and then, gets them married, Allah will reward him with Paradise.”
In such sayings and teachings, the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) has not only stated that kind treatment was the natural right or claim on the daughters, but, also that the Believers who fulfilled the obligation towards them in good and proper manner would be rewarded with Paradise in the Hereafter. He, further, gives the joyful tidings that such a man will be close to him, on the Day of Judgement, as the fingers of a hand are, when joined together.
To be continued
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
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