(Excerpt taken from Shaykh Javed Iqbal Sialkoti’s book: “Parents and the Rights of Children”)
Just as the failure to provide proper upbringing to children results in distress, humiliation, and disgrace in this world, it will also bring shame and accountability in the Hereafter.
On the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty will question parents:
“Did you provide good training to your children? Did you guide them toward righteousness and forbid them from evil?”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، الإِمَامُ رَاعٍ وَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالْمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ فِي بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا وَمَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهَا.
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be held accountable for his flock.
The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his people;
a man is a shepherd over his household and is responsible for them;
and a woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and is responsible for it.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu‘ah, Chapter: Friday in Villages and Cities – Hadith: 893
Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Imarah, Chapter: The Virtue of a Just Leader – Hadith: 4724
This hadith establishes that every individual in a position of responsibility will be questioned about those under their care.
Parents, being the primary caretakers and moral guides of their children, will be asked:
Failing to do so will lead to accountability, regret, and punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
① Parents are divinely appointed guardians over their children.
② Negligence in moral and religious upbringing is a sin that invites accountability.
③ Every parent will be questioned about their children’s upbringing before Allah.
④ Righteous training ensures honor; neglect leads to disgrace in both worlds.
Parental Negligence and Its Consequences
Just as the failure to provide proper upbringing to children results in distress, humiliation, and disgrace in this world, it will also bring shame and accountability in the Hereafter.
On the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty will question parents:
“Did you provide good training to your children? Did you guide them toward righteousness and forbid them from evil?”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
◈ Hadith
كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، الإِمَامُ رَاعٍ وَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالْمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ فِي بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا وَمَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهَا.
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be held accountable for his flock.
The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his people;
a man is a shepherd over his household and is responsible for them;
and a woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and is responsible for it.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu‘ah, Chapter: Friday in Villages and Cities – Hadith: 893 Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Imarah, Chapter: The Virtue of a Just Leader – Hadith: 4724Explanation
This hadith establishes that every individual in a position of responsibility will be questioned about those under their care.
Parents, being the primary caretakers and moral guides of their children, will be asked:
- Did they nurture their children according to Islamic teachings?
- Did they encourage them to perform good deeds and prevent them from sin?
Failing to do so will lead to accountability, regret, and punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
Summary of Teachings
① Parents are divinely appointed guardians over their children.
② Negligence in moral and religious upbringing is a sin that invites accountability.
③ Every parent will be questioned about their children’s upbringing before Allah.
④ Righteous training ensures honor; neglect leads to disgrace in both worlds.
