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_001.jpg) Islam is a religion concerned with justice and respect
and as such, it takes rights and responsibilities very seriously. Islam states that it is the responsibility of each individual to treat
all of creation with respect, honour, and dignity. Respect begins with loving
and obeying the commandments of God and from this respect flow all the manners
and high standards of morality that are inherent in Islam. God expects us,
adult believers, to treat children with respect and to nurture, love and
educate them. When rights and responsibilities are taken seriously, it enables
one to love and respect God.
“And whosoever obeys God and His Messenger,
fears God, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful ones.” (Quran
24:52)
Small children need food, drink, sleep
and they also need love and compassion. Taking care of their physical needs
and disregarding their emotional and spiritual needs is inappropriate .
After the birth of a child, mothers are
advised to breastfeed. Breast milk was designed by God to specifically fit the
needs of each individual child. Modern science has proven
the remarkable qualities of breast milk. Breast milk has disease-fighting
cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even
‘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’.
Colostrum, the thick yellow fore-milk made during pregnancy and just after birth, will give babies the
best start at life. Milk changes over time to meet the baby’s needs. By the
third to fifth day after the birth breast milk has just the right amount of
fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth.
“The mothers shall give suck to their children
for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the
term of suckling” (Quran 2:233)
However, God does not put the believers
into any situation they cannot handle, therefore if
breastfeeding is not possible there are alternatives such as using a wet nurse
and more commonly feeding the infant baby formula designed specifically for an
infants needs.
God does not want to place you in difficulty,
but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be
thankful. (Quran 5:6)
As soon as they are old, enough to
understand children should be taught to love God. This is usually easy because
children as naturally disposed to know and love God. It is straightforward for
them to understand that God is the Creator. It is the parents or caregivers
responsibility to teach children that God is One, that there is none worthy of
worship but He.
And (remember) when Luqmaan said to his son when
he was advising him: “O my son! Join not in worship others with God. Verily,
joining others in worship with God is a great wrong indeed. (Quran 31:13)
Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for
teaching their children the duties of Islam. Children must be
taught the correct way of worshipping God and the best way to do this is by
example. From the moment that they can interact with their surroundings children are learning. Even when a very small child hears the call to
prayer, he or she will know that it is time for all worldly endeavours to stop
while believers focus their attention on God. Children learn this by observing
the behaviour of those around them.
From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may God praise
him, we learn that it is obligatory upon us to teach our children to pray when
they are seven years old and to admonish them for not praying when they reach
the age of ten The reality is that children who live in a household where
prayer and correct worship are visible, are eager to pray and often a very
young age can be seen bowing and prostrating at their parents side.
At seven years old children must be
taught how to pray correctly. By the age of ten children should be admonished
for not praying. Whatever discipline is used it should be
such that the child understands that praying is important. Beating a child is
never an option.
Children should be taught and made
to observe those around then performing all the other
obligations that come with being a believer in the Oneness of God. Children
should be able to see those around them fasting, and performing other acts of
worship such as reading Quran. They should also observe
their caregivers displaying good manners and morals. The companions of Prophet
Muhammad have narrated that children were taught the basics of Islam from a
young age.
We used to observe this fast after
that, and we used to make our children fast and make them toys of wool; if one
of them cried for food we would give him that toy until it was time to break
the fast.
I was taken for Hajj with the
Messenger of God, may God praise him, when I was seven
years old.
Islam is a holistic religion; therefore,
physical needs pertaining to this world must not be neglected. Children have the
right to live safely and securely, and have all their physical needs taken care
of. Noted Islamic scholar Imam an Nawawi said, “The father should bring his
children up with good manners in all things, eating, drinking,
dressing, sleeping, going out of the house, entering the house, riding in
vehicles, etc. He should instil in them the attributes of
a good person, such as love of (personal) sacrifice, putting others first,
helping others, nobility and generosity. He should keep
them away from evil characteristics such as cowardice, stinginess, lack of nobility, lack of ambition, etc. Children must also be protected from physical
harm and anything that is likely to lead them towards sinning.
Islam gives children many rights
and is concerned with their spiritual,
physical, and emotional well being. In the next and final
part of this series of articles, we will discuss fairness, equality, and
custody issues.
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