By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
By
Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
Islam teaches us different ways to attain success. One best way is to seek Islamic knowledge based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. We need to spend time, money, efforts, emotions and patience to learn authentic knowledge of Islam not only for our own success but also to be able to share it to others, especially to our children. The most important and lasting gift or inheritance that we can give to our children is knowledge of Islam. It is a must that we should educate our children with Islamic knowledge since as parents we are accountable to their success and failure. The Prophet r makes it very clear that we are accountable to our respective families/children:
Abdullâh ibn Umar t reported that he heard the Prophet Muhammad r saying: “Every one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care).” (Bukhâri 3/592)
Malik bin Huwairth t narrated: “I came to the Prophet r with some men from my tribe and stayed with him for twenty nights. He was kind and merciful to us. When he realized our longing for our families, he said to us: “Go back and stay with your families and teach them the religion. And offer the prayer and one of you should pronounce the Adhan for the prayer when its time is due. And the oldest one amongst you should lead the prayer.” (Bukhâri 1/601)
Allâh tells us that our children, just like our wealth and possessions, are but a trial from Him. Allâh the Most High says:
“And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial: and that it is Allâh with whom lies your highest reward.” (8:28)
“Your riches and your children may be but a trial: whereas Allâh, with Him is the highest Reward.” (64:15)
Since our children are but a trial and that the highest reward is with Allâh the Almighty, it is then our responsibility to guide our children to Islâm. It is only through Islâm that they can become righteous and be of service to Allâh I. We pass Allâh’s trial once our children worship and please our Creator. The best thing that we can give to our children is knowledge of Islâm. It is the best education and the best means to fight ignorance and drive away evil. The Prophet r says in the following Ahâdîth:
Amr bin Sa’id or Sa’id bin Al-‘As t narrated that Allâh’ Messenger r said, “A father gives his child nothing better than a good education.” (Tirmidhi 4977 and Baihaqi)
‘Abdulah ibn Abbas t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said, “A single scholar of religion is more formidable against Satan than a thousand devout people.” (Tirmidhi 217 and Ibn Majah)
When we guide our children to Islâm, they become righteous whose prayers, to Allâh I for our own benefit, continue to reach us even when we die. The Prophet r says in the following Hâdîth:
Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allâh’ Messenger r said, “When a man dies, accrual of merit in his favor from good deeds ceases except from three actions: 1. A charity which continues after his death; 2. Knowledge left behind from which men continue to benefit; and 3. Righteous offspring who pray for him.” (Muslim 4005)
Therefore, by guiding our children to Islâm, we not only respond to the duty that Allâh and His Messenger r enjoin upon us ľ i.e., to be accountable to our children; but also, we expect subsequent rewards for raising righteous children.
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