Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In this, the spiritual protection of children has been emphasized, which is the most important responsibility of parents. However, nowadays, every father's goal is the attainment of contemporary education; parents and heads of families are heedless of the spiritual upbringing of their children. There is no supervision over them regarding prayer (salah), recitation of the Qur'an, remembrance (dhikr), supplications for sleeping and waking, etiquettes of eating and drinking, and good character. Such parents have become rare who would say, "Son! Say 'Bismillah' before drinking water, drink while sitting, drink with your right hand, take three breaths, and do not breathe into the vessel, because these are the pure teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam." Now, every father's only wish is that his child be molded in modern culture and innovation, adorned with modern sciences and knowledge, hold a high position, and have complete mastery of the English language even at a young age, and so on.

Dear readers! There is nothing objectionable in your wishes, but if these very desires are made the purpose of the children's lives, then no aspect of goodness remains.

Furthermore, an important requirement of this hadith is that at the time of sunset, children should be kept safely inside the house, so that they may remain protected from the evil of the devils and their souls are not affected. However, nowadays it is seen that at this time, children are playing in the streets, roads, and fields; it is possible that the very reason for the absence of goodness and virtue in the children of this era is this.