(Excerpt taken from Shaykh Javed Iqbal Sialkoti’s book: “Parents and the Rights of Children”)
It is the right of children that their parents provide them with proper upbringing, make them obedient to the Shari‘ah, and raise them in a religious environment.
The home environment and the parents’ behavior have a profound impact on a child’s character and faith.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَا مِنْ مَوْلُودٍ إِلَّا يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ، أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ، أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ.
“Every child is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah), but it is his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jana’iz, Chapter: When a Child Accepts Islam and Dies, Should the Funeral Prayer be Offered for Him? – Hadith: 1358, Vol. 1, p. 181
Explanation:
This means that every child is born with an innate tendency toward Islam (submission to Allah).
Later, the way his parents raise him determines what he becomes.
Therefore, parents must themselves adhere to the Shari‘ah and also ensure the proper moral and Islamic upbringing of their children.
This is both a moral and a religious obligation upon them.
❀ ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا﴾
“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire.”
(Al-Tahrim: 6)
Meaning:
Protect yourselves from Hell by performing righteous deeds and avoiding sins, and protect your family members from it by giving them sound religious education and training.
أَوْصُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَأَدِّبُوهُمْ
“Instruct yourselves and your families to fear Allah, and discipline them accordingly.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tafsir, Surah al-Tahrim
① Every child is born pure and inclined toward truth; the environment and parental influence shape their faith and conduct.
② Parents must provide a nurturing and religious home atmosphere.
③ Teaching children Islamic values and protecting them from sin is a divine command.
④ Neglecting their moral and spiritual training is a serious shortcoming in parental responsibility.
The Responsibility of Parents in Education and Upbringing
It is the right of children that their parents provide them with proper upbringing, make them obedient to the Shari‘ah, and raise them in a religious environment.
The home environment and the parents’ behavior have a profound impact on a child’s character and faith.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
◈ Hadith
مَا مِنْ مَوْلُودٍ إِلَّا يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ، أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ، أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ.
“Every child is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah), but it is his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jana’iz, Chapter: When a Child Accepts Islam and Dies, Should the Funeral Prayer be Offered for Him? – Hadith: 1358, Vol. 1, p. 181Explanation:
This means that every child is born with an innate tendency toward Islam (submission to Allah).
Later, the way his parents raise him determines what he becomes.
Therefore, parents must themselves adhere to the Shari‘ah and also ensure the proper moral and Islamic upbringing of their children.
This is both a moral and a religious obligation upon them.
Qur’anic Guidance
❀ ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا﴾
“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire.”
(Al-Tahrim: 6)Meaning:
Protect yourselves from Hell by performing righteous deeds and avoiding sins, and protect your family members from it by giving them sound religious education and training.
◈ Explanation by the Mufassir Mujāhid
أَوْصُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَأَدِّبُوهُمْ
“Instruct yourselves and your families to fear Allah, and discipline them accordingly.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tafsir, Surah al-TahrimSummary of Teachings
① Every child is born pure and inclined toward truth; the environment and parental influence shape their faith and conduct.
② Parents must provide a nurturing and religious home atmosphere.
③ Teaching children Islamic values and protecting them from sin is a divine command.
④ Neglecting their moral and spiritual training is a serious shortcoming in parental responsibility.
