1 Positive parenting solution: Islamic Parenting-How to raise a Pious Child?
2 Practical tips of Islamic Parenting
3 A Stern Warning from Prophet Muhammad for Islamic Parenting
All praise and gratitude are due to Allah, the One, the Almighty, and the Merciful! Let’s also send our blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, the final Messenger and Prophet. As parents, it’s natural to worry about meeting our children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. But let’s not forget the importance of nurturing their faith! Here are some wonderful tips for Islamic parenting that can help instill a strong belief in their hearts and minds. How much thought and planning are we putting into shaping their eternal future? Our top priority should be to raise them with love while strengthening their spiritual foundation. Just like our beloved Prophet (pbuh) showed great care and affection toward children, let’s strive to do the same! Together, we can guide them on this beautiful journey of faith.
Allah (S.W.T.) has bestowed a beautiful trust upon parents, entrusting them with the sacred role of raising their children. This responsibility is an incredible opportunity to nurture and guide them in the ways of Islam. By embracing this duty wholeheartedly, parents can look forward to immense blessings in this life and the hereafter. Conversely, neglecting this responsibility may lead to challenging consequences both in this world and beyond.
As the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) stated in the teachings of Imam Bukhari and Muslim, “All of you are heads of a group, and all of you are responsible for your groups.” Each of us has a unique role—whether as rulers, men, or women—and is accountable for those entrusted to us. This profound insight reminds us that our individual contributions matter significantly in shaping our communities and the future of Islam.
The current struggles faced by the Muslim Ummah may be linked to lapses in fulfilling these responsibilities. However, we have the power to turn the tide through effective Islamic parenting and embracing our roles with dedication and love.
Let us reflect on the guidance from the Hadith and engage deeply in the remarkable journey of parenting. By doing so, we can cultivate an environment that nurtures our children’s faith and character, ultimately contributing to a stronger, more vibrant Islamic society. Together, let’s rise to this challenge with enthusiasm, commitment, and hope!
1)Always shower your child with love and affection—it’s the foundation they need to thrive!
Our Prophet (Sallalahu alaihe wa sallam ) would never refuse his affection to children, no matter what they did because affection builds a child’s self-worth. Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No child is born except on Al-Fitra (Islam) and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or Magian, as an animal produces a perfect young animal: do you see any part of its body amputated?” (Bukhari). Without Islam, we lose our balance. This is why Prophet Muhammad (swas) and the Noble Qur’aan are called Haadi, The Guide. A child is born pure without defect, but his environment amputates him from his blessing: his Islam. Abu Hurayrah (RA) once said: “The Messenger of Allaah (swas) kissed al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, and al-Aqra’ ibn Haabis al-Tameemi was sitting with him. Al-Aqra’ said: ‘I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them.’ The Messenger of Allaah (swas) looked at him and said: ‘The one who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.’” “Whenever he (Muhammad, swas) came back from a journey, the children of his household would be taken out to meet him.” He (swas) used to hug them close to him, as ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ja;far said: “Whenever the Prophet (swas) came back from a journey, we would be taken out to meet him. One day we met him, Hasan, Husayn and I. He carried one of us in front of him, and another on his back, until we entered Madeenah.” (Saheeh Muslim, 4/1885-2772; see the commentary in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 8/56).
2)Play with your children – AS A CHILD!
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, beautifully reminds us, “Whoever has or is around children should play with them as a child!” Engaging in joyful playtime with our little ones is so vital, and carving out that special time every day can work wonders.
Life often pulls us in many directions—work commitments, travel, and daily responsibilities can make it challenging to prioritize quality moments with our children. As tempting as it might be to rely on electronic distractions to keep them occupied, this can create a distance between us and the precious experiences in their lives.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shares profound wisdom here: “Allah has indeed said your children shall be a temptation to you.” He lovingly acknowledged that his grandchildren, Hasan and Hussein, could sometimes divert his attention from tasks, yet he cherished those moments, referring to them as “the perfume of Allah.”
This reminds us to treasure our children, embracing the delightful interruptions they bring. By prioritizing our connections with them, we not only enrich their lives but also cultivate a loving atmosphere where they can thrive. Let’s commit to making play a priority and savor the joy it brings, strengthening our bonds for a brighter future together!
3)Praise your Child.
A child needs to be praised to feel good about himself. Our Prophet (swas) used to carry his grandsons, Hasan and Husain (may Allaah be pleased with them) on his shoulders. When an onlooker once remarked: “What a ride he is having!”, the Prophet Muhammad (swas) promptly said: “And how majestic is the rider!” (Tirmidhi). A child who tells himself, “I am lovable” will tell himself, “I am confident, Allaah loves me so I love Allaah.”
4)Fulfil your promises!
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, has said, “Have love for your children and show compassion towards them and when you promise them something, then live up to your promise since indeed they do not recognize you except as the one who sustains them.” Kids live in their emotions, and when they hear something being promised to them, they get very excited. They can picture the promise happening and keep it with the mind in a way that is much more powerful than we are able to. For this reason, they will not ever forget what you promise them! So don not even think about making a promise that you might not be able to keep.In addition, from a Quranic perspective, fulfilling one’s promise is an obligation which Allah makes reference to many times in the Qur’an that a believer is one who “fulfills his promise” and that he will be questioned on the Resurrection Day about promises which he made but did not keep – so not only will this affect a parent’s own spiritual ranking, but it will also affect the children’s perception of the parents and ultimately the religion.
5)Teach your Children the Essence of Faith!
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family, wisely encouraged us to “acquaint your children with religious teachings (of Islam) before the disbelievers get to them.” This highlights the incredible importance of sharing our beautiful Islamic teachings with our children from the earliest moments of their lives. In fact, even during pregnancy, a mother’s connection to her faith can greatly influence her unborn child. The first madressa lesson for our little ones truly begins when we joyfully recite the Adhan and Iqamah in their ears, welcoming them into the world of faith.
Unfortunately, many parents feel that the responsibility for religious education falls solely on community leaders or madressa, often due to their busy lives or a lack of confidence in their own knowledge. It’s essential that we change this narrative. By prioritizing our children’s spiritual education at home, we can empower them with a strong foundation in Islam and nurture their faith journey right from the start. Together, let us embrace this wonderful opportunity to guide and educate our children with love and enthusiasm!
Practical tips of Islamic Parenting
We can live Islam on Daily basis by ensuring that the children are made aware of prayer times either through an Adhan alarm clock, Islamic apps/Softwares making sure that the children perform wudhu or at least go through the motions and are then encouraged to stand and make the salat in Jamaat AT HOME on a regular basis; helping the children learn the recitation of the Qur’an and different supplications;get them a Quran that they can read and Understand themself,Read to them Islamic Stories,get them educational games that teach Islam and Play with them with their Islamic toys.taking the children to Umrah, Ziyarat, etc… to further acquaint them with the religion – these are all simple ways that the family can grow together in Islam – and remember that, “The family that prays together, stays together.”
A Vital Message from Prophet Muhammad on the Art of Islamic Parenting
In the rich tapestry of Islamic teachings, few lessons resonate as deeply as those related to parenting. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) offered profound guidance that serves as a crucial beacon for all parents striving to nurture their children with love, respect, and discipline. His wisdom emphasizes the immense responsibility that comes with raising the next generation, urging us to instill strong values and a solid moral foundation. This is not just a responsibility but a sacred duty, reminding us that our actions today shape the leaders of tomorrow. Let’s explore this enlightening perspective on Islamic parenting and embrace the profound insights offered by the Prophet.
As we reflect on the profound guidance of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, it’s essential for all parents in Islam to deeply consider their vital role in nurturing the next generation. The Prophet once expressed a powerful sentiment while observing young children: “Woe be upon the children of the latter days from that which their fathers will do (to them).” When questioned about whether he meant fathers who are polytheists, he clarified that he was referring to believers who, despite their faith, fail to impart essential knowledge to their children. They teach them only what helps them get by in the transient world, neglecting the depth and richness of spiritual and practical teachings. He emphasized, “Indeed, I am not from them, nor are they from me.”
This poignant reminder from the Prophet of Mercy highlights the importance of balancing both worldly skills and spiritual teachings in our parenting. While imparting religious values is vital, we must also equip our children with knowledge about the world around them. Unfortunately, many crucial life skills are often overlooked in both public education and traditional religious settings. So, where can our children find the guidance they need?
It’s crucial not to leave them at the mercy of search engines or rely solely on peers who may not share the values we hold dear. In the absence of direct guidance from us, they may turn to their friends for answers, which can sometimes lead them astray and jeopardize their spiritual well-being.
Therefore, it’s our responsibility as parents to actively engage in teaching our children about the intricacies of our world, helping them navigate its challenges and pitfalls with confidence and wisdom. By fostering an open dialogue and encouraging curiosity, we can spark a genuine interest in learning, empowering them to understand and maneuver through life’s complexities.
Let us take this opportunity to invest our time and effort in enriching their lives, both spiritually and practically. By doing so, we not only fulfill our duty as caregivers but also create a nurturing environment that fosters growth, resilience, and understanding. Together, we can raise a generation that is well-equipped to face the future with a solid moral foundation and valuable life skills. With optimism and sincerity, let’s embark on this journey of parental growth and commitment to ensuring our children’s success and fulfillment.