إن الحمد لله نحمده ، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله . أما بعد!
How did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ teach children religious education?
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty said:
“And when Luqman said to his son, while he was advising him: O my dear son! Do not associate anyone with Allah. Indeed, associating partners with Allah is a great injustice.”
Hadith 1:
«عن ابن عباس قال: كنت خلف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوما ، فقال: يا غلام ! إني أعلمك كلمات: احفظ الله يحفظك . احفظ الله تجده تجاهك، إذا سألت فاسأل الله، وإذا استعنت فاستعن بالله واعلم أن الأمة لو اجتمعت على أن ينفعوك بشيء لم ينفعوك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله لك ولو اجتمعوا على أن يضروك بشيء لم يضروك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله عليك رفعت الأقلام وجفت الصحف»
Muhaddith Albani has declared it authentic.
Narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that one day I was behind the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on a mount, and he said: “O young boy! Indeed, I am teaching you some things. Protect Allah’s commands, and He will protect you. So protect Allah, and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask from Allah, and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. And know this well (make it firmly established in your mind) that if the entire Ummah gathers to benefit you with something, they will only benefit you with what Allah has already written for you. And if the entire Ummah gathers to harm you with something, they will only harm you with what Allah has already written against you. The pens have been lifted, and the pages have dried.”
How did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teach the method of welcoming?
Hadith 2:
«وعن أم المؤمنين عائشة رضي الله عنها ، أنها قالت: ما رأيت أحدا كان أشبه سمتا وهديا ودلا – وفي رواية: حديثا وكلاما – برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من فاطمة ، كانت إذا دخلت عليه ، قام إليها ، فأخذ بيدها وقبلها وأجلسها فى مجلسه، وكان إذا دخل عليها ، قامت إليه ، فأخذت بيده فقبلته وأجلسته فى مجلسها»
Al-Muhaddith Al-Bani has declared it authentic.
“And Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that when Sayyida Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to come to the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Prophet would stand up to welcome her, kiss her on the forehead, seat her in his place, and when the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to Sayyida Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), she would stand up for him, hold his hand, welcome him, kiss his blessed forehead, and seat him in her place. Sayyida Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his final illness to serve him, and he welcomed her and kissed her.”
Commanding children to pray at the age of seven
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا ۖ لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ ۗ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And enjoin prayer upon your family and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you. And the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.”
Hadith 3 :
«وعن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه، عن جده، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : مروا اولادكم بالصلاة لسبع واضربوهم عليها لعشر وفرقوا بينهم فى المضاجع»
Muhaddith Albani has graded it Hasan Sahih.
And Amr bin Shu’aib narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Begin commanding your children to pray at the age of seven, and when they reach ten years (and do not pray), then discipline them (for training), and when the children reach ten years, make them sleep in separate beds (so that they do not engage in satanic acts).”
Keeping children in a good environment from the beginning
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.”
Hadith 4 :
«وعن أنس بن مالك رضى الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ولد لي الليلة غلام ، فسميته باسم أبى إبراهيم – عليه السلام – ثم دفعه إلى أم سيف امرأة قين يقال له: أبو سيف ، فانطلق يأتيه واتبعته ، فانتهينا إلى أبى سيف وهو ينفخ بكيره ، قد امتلا البيت دخانا، فأسرعت المشي بين يدى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقلت: يا أبا سيف ! أمسك ، جاء رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فأمسك ، فدعا النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بالصبي ، فضمه إليه ، وقال: ما شاء الله ان يقول: فقال أنس : لقد رأيته وهو يكيد بنفسه بين يدى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فدمعت عينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: تدمع العين ويحزن القلب، ولا نقول إلا ما يرضى ربنا والله! يا إبراهيم! إنا بك لمحزونون»
”And Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ (one day came and) said that tonight my son was born and I have named him after my father Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Then the Prophet ﷺ gave that child to a blacksmith named Abu Sufyan’s wife (for nursing). Once the Prophet ﷺ was going to Abu Sufyan’s place and I also went along with him. When we reached Abu Sufyan, he was blowing into the furnace (i.e., making fire to forge something) and the house was filled with smoke. I went ahead of you to Abu Sufyan and said, ‘Abu Sufyan, stop. The Noble Prophet ﷺ has arrived.’ He stopped. (Ibrahim was ill and it was his last moment.) The Prophet ﷺ called Ibrahim and held him close to his chest and (with loving affection) said some words. I saw that Ibrahim’s soul was departing in front of the Noble Prophet ﷺ, and tears began to fall from the Prophet’s ﷺ eyes. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is filled with sorrow. But we will not say anything about Ibrahim for which the Lord would be displeased (i.e., we are content with Allah’s will regarding Ibrahim’s death).'”
Parents are the Guardians of Children
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty said:
“Then Zakariya called upon his Lord, saying: My Lord! Grant me from Yourself a pure offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.”
Hadith 5 :
«وعن عبد الله بن عمر يقول: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: كلكم راع وكلكم مسئول عن رعيته: الإمام راع ومسئول عن رعيته ، والرجل راع فى أهله وهو مسئول عن رعيته ، والمرأة راعية فى بيت زوجها ومسئولة عن رعيتها، والخادم راع فى مال سيده ومسئول عن رعيته ، قال: وحسبت أن قد قال: والرجل راع فى مال أبيه ومسئول عن رعيته وكلكم راع ومسئول عن رعيته»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “Each of you is a guardian and will be questioned about those under his care. The Imam is a guardian and will be questioned about his subjects. A man is a guardian of his household and will be questioned about his subjects. A woman is a guardian of her husband’s house and will be questioned about her subjects. A servant is a guardian of his master’s wealth and will be questioned about his subjects.” Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said that I think the Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “A man is a guardian of his father’s wealth and will be questioned about his subjects, and each of you is a guardian and will be questioned about his subjects.”
Praying for Wealth and Children
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Wealth and children are the adornment of the worldly life, but the enduring good deeds with your Lord are better in reward and better in hope.”
Hadith 6:
«وعن أنس قال: دخلت على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يوما ، وما هو إلا أنا وأمى وأم حرام خالتي، إذ دخل علينا فقال لنا: ألا أصلى بكم؟ وذاك فى غير وقت صلاة ، فقال رجل من القوم: فأين جعل أنسا منه؟ فقال: جعله عن يمينه؟ ثم صلى بنا ، ثم دعا لنا – أهل البيت – بكل خير من خير الدنيا والآخرة، فقالت أمى يا رسول الله، خويدمك، ادع الله له ، فدعا لي بكل خير، كان فى آخر دعائه أن قال: اللهم أكثر ماله وولده، وبارك له»
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: One day I was present in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (and this was on a day when) only you (the Prophet), I, my mother, and my maternal aunt Umm Haram were present. When you (peace be upon him) came to our house, you asked us: Shall I not teach you how to pray? And this was not the time for obligatory prayer. One of those present asked: Where did you make Anas stand? He said: He made him stand on his right side, then he led us in prayer. Then he prayed for the family (and) prayed for every goodness in this world and the Hereafter. My mother said: O Messenger of Allah! Pray to Allah especially for His little servant. He prayed for me (every goodness in this world and the Hereafter). At the end of his prayer, he said: O Allah! Grant him abundant wealth and offspring and bless him.”
Do not prefer a boy over a girl
﴿قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى :لِّلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ . أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًا وَإِنَاثًا ۖ وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَاءُ عَقِيمًا ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ .﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“The dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah alone; He creates what He wills. He grants daughters to whom He wills and grants sons to whom He wills, or He grants both sons and daughters. And He renders barren whom He wills. Indeed, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.”
Hadith 7:
«وعن ابن عباس قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من كانت له أنثى فلم يئدها ولم يهنها ولم يؤثر ولده عليها قال: يعني الذكور أدخله الله الجنة»
And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive (like in the era of ignorance), nor belittles her, nor prefers sons over her, Allah will admit such a person into Paradise.”
The virtue of caring for three sisters or daughters
Hadith 8:
«وعن أبى سعيد الخدري ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يكون لأحد ثلاث بنات ، أو ثلاث أخوات ، فيحسن إليهن ، إلا دخل الجنة»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever has three daughters or three sisters and treats them well, he will surely enter Paradise.”
Teach children religion from the beginning
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And those who say: Our Lord! Grant us from our wives and offspring the comfort of our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.”
Hadith 9:
«وعن أبى قتادة الأنصاري أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلى وهو حامل أمامة بنت زينب بنت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولابي العاص ابن ربيعة بن عبد شمس ، فإذا سجد وضعها وإذا قام حملها»
“And Sayyiduna Abu Qatada (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prayed while carrying his granddaughter, Imamah, who was the daughter of his daughter Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her) and Abu al-As. When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went into prostration, he would place her down on the ground, and when he stood up, he would pick her up again.”
Giving the youngest child the first share at the time of division
Hadith 10:
«وعن أبى هريرة قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أتي بالزهو قال: اللهم بارك لنا فى مدينتنا ومدنا، وصاعنا، بركة مع بركة ، ثم ناوله أصغر من يليه من الولدان»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that when new fruit was brought to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he would supplicate: “O Allah! Bless our Madinah Tayyibah and our measure and weight.” Then he would give it to the youngest child present there.
Righteous offspring are the coolness of the eyes
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And those who say: Our Lord! Grant us from our wives and offspring the comfort of our eyes and make us leaders of the righteous.”
Hadith 11 :
«وجبير بن نفير عن أبيه قال: جلسنا إلى المقداد بن الأسود يوما ، فمر به رجل فقال: طوبى لهاتين العينين اللتين رأتا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، والله لوددنا أنا رأينا ما رأيت ، وشهدنا ما شهدت فاستغضب ، فجعلت أعجب ، ما قال إلا خيرا ، ثم أقبل عليه فقال: ما يحمل الرجل على أن يتمنى محضرا غيبه الله عنه؟ لا يدرى لو شهده كيف يكون فيه؟ والله ، لقد حضر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أقوام كبهم الله على مناخرهم فى جهنم، لم يجيبوه ولم يصدقوه، أولا تحمدون الله عز وجل إذ خرجكم لا تعرفون إلا ربكم ، فتصدقون بما جاء به نبيكم صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قد كفيتم البلاء بغيركم ، والله لقد بعث النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم على أشد حال بعث عليها نبي قط ، فى فترة وجاهلية ، ما يرون أن دينا أفضل من عبادة الأوثان ، فجاء بفرقان فرق به بين الحق والباطل، وفرق به بين الوالد وولده ، حتى إن كان الرجل ليرى والده أو ولده أو أخاه كافرا، وقد فتح الله قفل قلبه بالإيمان، ويعلم أنه إن هلك دخل النار ، فلا تقر عينه، وهو يعلم أن حبيبه فى النار، وأنها للتي قال الله عزوجل:» ﴿وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا﴾
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Jubair bin Nufair that he said: One day we were sitting in the gathering of Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswad (may Allah be pleased with him) when a man passed by and said: How fortunate are these two eyes that have seen the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). By Allah! We wish that we too had seen what you saw and were present at the occasions where you were present. Upon hearing this, Sayyidna Miqdad (may Allah be pleased with him) became angry, and I was surprised at him (thinking what is there to be angry about, he has said something good). Then he turned towards him and said: What is the reason that a person desires to be present at an occasion while Allah Almighty has kept him away from it? Who knows what his condition would have been if he had been present at that occasion? By Allah! Many people were present with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) whom Allah Almighty turned onto their faces in Hellfire because they neither accepted his invitation nor confirmed it. Do you not praise Allah for the fact that when He created you, you did not know anyone besides your Lord, meaning there was faith everywhere and you confirmed the Shariah brought by the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). The trial of confirmation and denial was averted from you through other people. By Allah! The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent in very difficult circumstances; no prophet was sent in such conditions. It was the era of nature and ignorance (where no prophet was sent for many years). People did not consider any religion superior to the worship of idols. You brought the Furqan (criterion) through which distinction between truth and falsehood was made. You separated father from son to the extent that a believer would see his father, son, and brother as disbelievers, while Allah Almighty opened the locks of his heart through faith. He knew that surely if they (his father and brother) were destroyed, they would go to Hell, so his eyes would not find comfort in seeing them, while he knew that his beloved was going to Hell. And this (love for offspring) is such a thing about which Allah Almighty said: “And those who say: Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring the comfort of our eyes.”
Blowing (Dum) on Children
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿كَلَّا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ التَّرَاقِيَ . وَقِيلَ مَنْ ۜ رَاقٍ .﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Never! When the soul reaches the throat, and it is said, ‘Who is the blower?'”
Hadith 12:
«وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يعود الحسن والحسين ويقول: إن أباكما كان يعوذ بها إسماعيل وإسحاق: أعوذ بكلمات الله التامة من كل شيطان وهامة ، ومن كل عين لامة»
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to seek protection for Sayyidna Hasan and Husain (may Allah be pleased with them) and said that your great grandfather (Ibrahim, peace be upon him) also used to seek Allah’s protection for Ismail and Ishaq (peace be upon them) through these words. I seek refuge in Allah with all His complete words from every devil, every poisonous creature, and every harmful evil eye.”
Playing with Children
Hadith 13:
«وعن عدي بن ثابت قال: سمعت البراء يقول: رأيت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم والحسن صلوات الله عليه على عاتقه، وهو يقول: اللهم ، إنى أحبه فأحبه»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Bara (bin Azib) رضي الله عنه, he said: I saw the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم carrying Hazrat Hasan رضي الله عنه on his shoulder and saying: “O Allah! I love him, so love him too.”
Benefits of Righteous Offspring
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And those who say: Our Lord! Grant us from our wives and offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the righteous.”
Hadith 14 :
«وعن أبى هريرة ، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن الرجل لترفع درجة فى الجنة فيقول: أنى هذا؟ فيقال: باستغفار ولدك لك»
And Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A person’s rank in Paradise is elevated, and he asks, ‘From where did this rank come to me?’ It is replied, ‘This rank has been elevated due to the supplication for forgiveness made by your offspring for you.'”
Describing the Good Qualities of Children
Hadith 15:
«وعن ابن أبى نعم قال: كنت شاهدا ابن عمر إذ سأله رجل عن دم البعوضة؟ فقال: ممن أنت؟ فقال: من أهل العراق ، فقال: انظروا إلى هذا، يسألني عن دم البعوضة، وقد قتلوا ابن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، سمعت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: هما ريحاني من الدنيا »
“And it is narrated from Abdul Rahman bin Abu Na’am, who said that I was present with Hazrat Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما. A man asked whether it is permissible to kill a mosquito or not. Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما asked: Where have you come from? He said: From Iraq. Then Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما said: Look at him! He is asking about the permissibility of killing a mosquito while they martyred the beloved of the Prophet ﷺ (his own flesh and blood) (and yet he shows no concern). I heard the Prophet ﷺ say: They both (Hasan and Husain رضي الله عنهما) are my flowers in this world.”
Encouragement to Feed Children Well
Hadith 16:
«وعن المقدام بن معدى كرب، أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: ما أطعمت نفسك فهو لك صدقة، وما أطعمت ولدك فهو لك صدقة، وما أطعمت زوجك فهو لك صدقة ، وما أطعمت خادمك فهو لك صدقة»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Miqdad bin Ma’dikarib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “What you eat yourself is charity for you, and what you feed your children is charity for you, what you feed your wife is charity for you, and what you feed your servant is also charity for you.”
The Virtue of Raising Daughters
قَالَ الله تَعَالَى: ﴿وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is a great sin.”
Hadith 17 :
«وعن جابر بن عبد الله حدثهم قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من كان له ثلاث بنات، يؤويهن، ويكفيهن ، ويرحمهن، فقد وجبت له الجنة البية ، فقال رجل من بعض القوم: وثنتين، يا رسول الله؟ قال: وثنتين»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever has three daughters and provides for them, takes care of them, and shows kindness to them, Paradise becomes obligatory for him.” One of those present said: O Messenger of Allah! If someone has two daughters, will the same reward apply for good treatment towards them? The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “The same reward applies for good treatment towards two.”
The Method of Self-Purification by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, Allah conferred a favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, while before that they were certainly in clear error.”
Hadith 18:
«وعن معاذ بن جبل قال: لما بعثه إلى اليمن خرج معه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوصيه … فقال المتقون من كانوا وإن أولى الناس بى حيث كانوا»
Sheikh Shoaib has declared it authentic.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Muadh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent him to Yemen, he came out of the city to bid farewell and gave advice, saying: “My dear and beloved, the pious among you are those who are wherever they are…”
Encouraging Children to Think About the Hereafter
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And warn your closest relatives.”
Hadith 19:
«وعن أبى هريرة قال: لما نزلت هذه الآية ﴿وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ﴾
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stood up and called out: O sons of Ka’b bin Lu’ayy, save yourselves from the fire; O sons of Abd Manaf, save yourselves from the fire; O sons of Hashim, save yourselves from the fire; O sons of Abd al-Muttalib, save yourselves from the fire; O Fatimah daughter of Muhammad, save yourself from the fire, for I do not possess anything from Allah for you except that I have a kinship with you which I will maintain with kindness.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that when this verse was revealed: “And warn your closest relatives,” the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gathered the Quraysh and stood up and called out: “O Banu Ka’b bin Lu’ayy, save yourselves from the fire; O Banu Abd Manaf, save yourselves from the fire; O Banu Hashim, save yourselves from the fire; O Banu Abd al-Muttalib, save yourselves from the fire; O Fatimah daughter of Muhammad, save yourself from the fire. I do not possess anything from Allah for you except that I have a kinship with you which I will maintain with kindness.”
Embracing Children with Love
Hadith 20 :
«وعن أبى هريرة قال: أتى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم رجل ومعه صبي ، فجعل يضمه إليه ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : أترحمه؟ قال: نعم ، قال: فالله أرحم بك منك به، وهو أرحم الراحمين»
Al-Muhaddith Al-Albani has declared it authentic.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) with a child. He began to embrace the child lovingly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do you show mercy and compassion to him? He said: Yes. He said: “Allah is more merciful to you than you are to him (the child). He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.”
Hadith 21 :
«وعن يعلى بن مرة أنه قال: خرجنا مع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ودعينا إلى طعام فإذا حسين يلعب فى الطريق، فأسرع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أمام القوم ، ثم بسط يديه ، فجعل يمر مرة ها هنا ومرة ها هنا، يضاحكه حتى أخذه، فجعل إحدى يديه فى ذقنه والأخرى فى رأسه، ثم اعتنقه ، ثم قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : حسين مني وأنا منه، أحب الله من أحب الحسين ، سبط من الأسباط»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Ya’la bin Murrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: We went out with the Prophet (peace be upon him) to a meal invitation, and on the way, Hazrat Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) was playing. The Prophet (peace be upon him) quickly moved ahead of the people and spread both of his hands. The child started running here and there. The Prophet (peace be upon him) kept laughing with him until he caught him. He placed one hand under his chin and the other on his head and embraced him. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. May Allah love whoever loves Hussain. Hussain is one of our children.”
Kindness to the Young
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.”
Hadith 22:
«وعن عمرو ابن شعيب عن أبيه، عن جده، قال: قال أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ليس منا من لم يرحم صغيرنا، ويعرف حق كبيرنا»
And it is narrated from Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “He who does not have mercy on our young ones and does not recognize the rights (honor) of our elders is not one of us.”
The Virtue of Caring for Widows and Divorced Daughters
Hadith 23:
«وعن سراقة بن مالك ، أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ألا أدلكم على أفضل الصدقة؟ ابنتك مردودة إليك ، ليس لها كاسب غيرك»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Saraqah bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you the best charity? It is your daughter who is returned to you and there is no one else to earn and feed her except you (meaning after marriage, she is then returned to her parents).”
Small Deceased Children are the Butterflies of Paradise
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And (for) those who come after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'”
Hadith 24:
«وعن خالد العبسي قال: مات ابن لي ، فوجدت عليه وجدا شديدا، فقلت: يا أبا هريرة، ما سمعت من النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم شيئا تسخى به أنفسنا عن موتانا؟ قال: سمعت من النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: صغاركم دعاميص الجنة»
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Khalid Absi (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: My son passed away, and it caused me great grief. So I asked Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): O Abu Hurairah! Have you heard anything from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding this (the death of children)? So that our souls may find some comfort. He said: I heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say that your young children who pass away will be the butterflies of Paradise.”
Praying for Young Children
Hadith 25:
«وعن أبى هريرة، أن امرأة أتت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بصبي فقالت : ادع له ، فقد دفنت ثلاثة ، فقال: احتظرت بحظار شديد من النار»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that a woman came to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with a child and said: (O Messenger of Allah!) pray for him, my three children have died. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “You have made a barrier greater than fire.”
Negligence in the responsibility of children is a great sin
Hadith 26:
«وعن عبد الله ابن عمرو قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : وكفى بالمرء إثما أن يضيع من يقوت»
Muhaddith Albani graded it as Hasan.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “It is sufficient for a man to be sinful if he neglects those whom he is responsible to support.”
Statement about spending on children
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“(In this case) it is the father’s responsibility to provide food and clothing to the child according to custom.”
Hadith 27 :
«وعن ثوبان ، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن من أفضل دينار أنفقه الرجل على عیاله ، ودينار أنفقه على أصحابه فى سبيل الله ، ودينار أنفقه على دابته فى سبيل الله . قال أبو قلابة: وبدأ بالعيال ، وأى رجل أعظم أجرا من رجل ينفق على عيال صغار حتى يغنيهم الله عز وجل ؟»
“And it is narrated from Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Indeed, the best dinar is the one a person spends on his family, and the dinar spent on companions in the way of Allah, and the dinar spent on his mount in the way of Allah… Abu Qulabah says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) began with the family… And who has a greater reward than the one who spends on his young children until Allah makes them self-sufficient.”
Supplication for Blessings for Children
Hadith 28 :
«وعن عبادة بن الوليد بن عبادة بن الصامت قال: خرجت مع أبى وأنا غلام شاب ، فنلقى شيخا، قلت: أى عم، ما منعك أن تعطي غلامك هذه النمرة، وتأخذ البردة، فتكون عليك بردتان ، وعليه نمرة؟ فأقبل على أبى فقال: ابنك هذا؟ :قال نعم، قال: فمسح على رأسى وقال: بارك الله فيك ، أشهد لسمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: أطعموهم مما تأكلون، واكسوهم مما تكتسون، يا ابن أخي، ذهاب متاع الدنيا أحب إلى من أن يأخذ من متاع الآخرة، قلت: أى أبناه، من هذا الرجل؟ قال: أبو اليسر بن عمرو»
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Ubada bin Waleed bin Ubada bin Samit, may Allah have mercy on him, that I went out with my father. I was a young boy at that time. We met an elder who was wearing a striped cloak and a woolen garment, and his servant was also dressed similarly. I said: Uncle! What is the harm if you give this striped cloak to your servant and take another cloak for yourself? This way, you would have two similar cloaks, and the servant would have the striped cloak. Hearing this, he turned to my father and asked: Is this your son? He said: Yes! He placed his hand on my head and said: May Allah bless him. I bear witness that I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say: Feed those whom you eat and clothe those whom you wear. My nephew! I prefer losing the worldly possessions I have over losing any part of my Hereafter’s provisions. I said: Father, who is this man? He said: This is Abu Al-Yasar (Ka’b) bin Amr.”
Joking and Laughing with Children
Hadith 29 :
«وعن أنس بن مالك يقول: كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ليخالطنا، حتى يقول لأخ لى صغير: يا أبا عمير ، ما فعل النغير؟»
“And it is narrated from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took the hand of Sayyiduna Hasan or Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them) and placed their feet on his blessed feet, then said: Climb up.”
Giving Gifts to Children
Hadith 30 :
«وعن النعمان بن بشير حدثه، أن أباه انطلق به إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يحمله فقال: يا رسول الله ، إني أشهدك أني قد نحلت النعمان كذا وكذا ، فقال: أكل ولدك نحلت؟ قال: لا ، قال: فأشهد غيري ، ثم قال: أليس يسرك أن يكونوا فى البر سواء؟ قال: بلى ، قال: فلا إذا»
”And it is narrated from Hazrat Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) that my father took me to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! I testify that I have given Nu’man such and such thing. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Have you given all your children? He said: No. He (peace be upon him) said: Then take someone else as a witness besides me. He also said: Do you not like that all your children treat you equally? He said: Yes, absolutely. He said: Then do not do that (give to some and deprive others).“
Kissing One’s Children
Hadith 31 :
«وعن أبى هريرة قال: قبل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حسن بن على وعنده الأقرع بن حابس التميمي جالس ، فقال الأقرع: إن لي عشرة من الولد ما قبلت منهم أحدا ، فنظر إليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم قال: من لا يرحم لا يرحم»
“And Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) kissed Sayyiduna Hasan bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with them), and Iqra’ bin Habis Tamimi was also present. He said: I have ten sons, and I have never kissed any of them. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) looked at him and said: Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.”
Hadith 32 :
«وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: جاء أعرابي إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: أتقتلون صبيانكم؟ فما نقبلهم ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : أو أملك لك أن نزع الله من قلبك الرحمة؟»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: A Bedouin came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said: Do you kiss your children? We do not kiss ours. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “What can I do for him whose heart Allah has removed the substance of mercy from?”
Be Just Among Children
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, Allah commands justice and the doing of good, and giving to relatives; and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression. He admonishes you that you may take heed.”
Hadith 33:
«وعن عامر قال: سمعت النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما وهو على المنبر يقول: أعطانى أبى عطية، فقالت عمرة بنت رواحة : لا أرضى حتى تشهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأتى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: إنى أعطيت ابني من عمرة بنت رواحة عطية ، فأمرتني أن أشهدك يا رسول الله ، قال: أعطيت سائر ولدك مثل هذا قال: لا. قال: فاتقوا الله ، واعدلوا بين أولادكم . قال فرجع فرد عطيته»
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Amir that I heard Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with them both) saying from the pulpit that my father gave me a gift, then Umrah bint Rawaaha (may Allah be pleased with her), Nu’man’s mother, said that she would not be satisfied until you make the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) a witness to it. So (having come in person) he said: I gave a gift to my son from Umrah bint Rawaaha, and she said: First, I want to make you a witness to it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: Have you given the same kind of gift to all your children? He replied: No. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Fear Allah and maintain justice among your children. So he returned and took back the gift.”
Circumcision of Children
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“(O Prophet!) Then We revealed to you to follow the religion of Abraham, who was upright and was not among the polytheists.”
Hadith 34:
«وعن أبى هريرة رواية: الفطرة خمس أو خمس من الفطرة: الختان ، والاستحداد، ونتف الإبط، وتقليم الأظفار، وقص الشارب»
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Five practices are part of the natural disposition (fitrah): (1) circumcision, (2) shaving the pubic hair, (3) trimming the mustache, (4) clipping the nails, (5) plucking the underarm hair.”
Do not curse your children
Hadith 35:
«وعن جابر ، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا تدعوا على أنفسكم، ولا تدعوا على اولادكم، ولا تدعوا على اموالكم ، لا توافقوا من الله ساعة يسأل فيها عطاء فيستجيب لكم»
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do not curse yourselves, nor your children, nor your wealth. There is a moment in which whatever is asked from Allah Almighty is granted.”
Statement about speaking truthfully to children
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are truthful.”
Hadith 36 :
«وعن عبد الله بن عامر بن ربيعة العدوي حدثه عن عبد الله بن عامر أنه قال: دعتنى أمى يوما ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قاعد فى بيتنا فقالت: ها تعال أعطيك فقال لها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : وما أردت أن تعطيه قالت: أعطيه تمرا فقال لها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أما إنك لو لم تعطه شيئا كتبت عليك كذبة»
“And Abdullah bin Amir says that one day my mother called me while the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was also present at the same place. My mother promised to give me something. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked my mother what she intended to give her son which she had promised him. She replied that she intended to give him dates. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If you do not give this child anything, then a lie would be recorded against you in your book of deeds (which would be a sin for you).”
Give good education to children
Hadith 37 :
«وعن أيوب بن موسى، عن أبيه، عن جده، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما نحل والد ولدا من نحل أفضل من أدب»
And Hazrat Musa narrates from his father that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said: “The best gift parents can give to their child is the best education and upbringing.”
Treat your children with honor and respect
Hadith 38:
«وعن أنس بن مالك يحدث ، عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: اكرموا أولادكم، وأحسنوا آدبهم»
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Honor your children and raise them well.”
Teaching children the etiquette of eating and drinking
Hadith 39:
«وعن عمرو ابن أبى سلمة يقول: كنت غلاما فى حجر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وكانت يدى تطيش فى الصحفة فقال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا غلام! سم الله، وكل بيمينك، وكل مما يليك فما زالت تلك طعمتى بعد»
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them) that I was raised in the house of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and my hand used to move around in the food vessel. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to me: O boy! Mention the name of Allah (i.e., begin by saying the name of Allah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you. After that, my manner of eating remained the same (i.e., according to the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him).”
Encouragement to keep children’s appearance and behavior according to the Sunnah
Hadith 40:
«وعن ابن عمر ، أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى صبيا قد خلق بعض شعره وترك بعضه ، فنهاهم عن ذلك ، وقال: احلقوه كله أو اتركوه كله»
Muhaddith Albani has declared it authentic.
“It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw a child whose some hair on the head was shaved and some was left. He (peace be upon him) forbade this and said: Shave all the hair or leave it all.”
«وصلى الله تعالى على خير خلقه محمد وآله وصحبه أجمعين»
