The early years— we do not exaggerate if we say the early moments— of the child’s life are the best and most important periods to build up the aspects of faith in the child and instill the creed of Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) and knowing Allah, the Almighty, in him. Therefore, the Prophet  instructed Muslims to let the words of the Aathaan (call to prayer) be the first thing heard by the newborn. These words carry the meanings of pure Tawheed, worshipping Allah, The Almighty, Alone and disassociating from any other worshipped deity.


Ibn Al-Qayyim  said,

The first words to be heard by the child are the words of the heavenly call which include the Highness and Majesty of the Lord and the testimony of faith which is the first step to embracing Islam. So, this is considered like teaching the child the slogan of Islam when he comes to life, as if he is asked to pronounce the testimony of faith. It is also possible that the effect of the Aathaan will reach the heart of the child even if he does not realize it. Also, there is another benefit that when the devil— who awaits the birth of the child— hears the words of the Athaan, he runs away. So, he hears words that weaken and enrage him since the first moment of his being attached to the child.

There is another meaning in saying the words of the Aathaan in the ear of the newborn baby that it is a call to Allah, His Religion and worshipping Him that precedes the call of the devil as the pure Fitrah (sound innate predisposition) precedes the changes that the devil makes therein. There are many other rationales.

Due to the importance of this period in the child’s life in terms of learning the bases of faith; the Prophet  ordered Muslims to make “La ilaaha illa Allah (None is truly worthy of worship but Allah)” the first words to be taught to the child. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet  said: “Make the first word to be heard by your children to speak: La ilaaha illa Allah (None is truly worthy of worship but Allah).”

The secret behind this injunction is to let the word of Tawheed and the testimony of embracing Islam be the first thing to be heard by the child, the first thing to be uttered and the first words to be taught to him. The Prophet  ordered parents and mentors to teach the children the acts of worship when they are at the age of seven. ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said: “Command your children to perform prayer when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they are ten; and separate them in beds.”

On basis of this ruling, we draw an analogy to train the child to fast some days if he could bear fasting. This also applies to other acts of worship.

Importance of attaching children to the Noble Quran from a tender age:

This should take place at a very young age once the child starts speaking. This is the golden period for memorization, learning and maximizing the psychological impact of what the child learns and memorizes.

Therefore, the Prophet  advised parents to maintain this. ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said: “Train your children to acquire three characteristics: love of your Prophet, love for the Prophet’s household and reciting the Quran; for the bearers of the Quran will be in the shade of the Throne of Allah on the Day when there will be no shade except His, with His Prophets and His chosen ones.” [At-Tabaraani]

The Companions of the Prophet  pursued this path. Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “We used to teach our children the battles of the Messenger of Allah just as we used to teach them the Surahs (Chapters) of the Quran.” Their keenness on teaching their children the Quran came first; they used it as a means to give an indication of their intense interest and care. Al-Ghazaali  advised Muslims — in his book of Ihyaa’ ‘Uloom Ad-Deen — to teach children the Quran, the Hadeeth and the stories of the righteous people. In Al-Muqadimmah, Ibn Khuldoon  stressed the importance of making children learn and memorize the Quran. He pointed out that the Quran is the basis of education because it leads to establishing the sound creed and implanting faith.

The Quran builds up the child’s character:

Teaching the child the Quran effectively helps him build up the components of faith in his personality. It also inculcates supreme values in him and straightforward behavior. It forms his personality and way of thinking in a way that is characterized by purity and originality. It makes him eloquent and a sound-speaking person. It increases his knowledge and strengthens his memory. There is a report enhancing this meaning that states the following, “Whoever recites the Quran while he is a believing youth, the Quran will be mixed with his flesh and blood and Allah, The Almighty, will make him with the noble and dutiful messenger-angels.”

Memorizing, learning and being attached to the Quran make the souls of children at peace, tranquil and connected to the Creator. Hence, they will enjoy the company of Allah, The Almighty, who will guard them from the harm, evil and domination of the devils. Consequently, the Quran will become indeed mixed with their flesh and blood, by virtue of reciting its verses with their parents or teachers.

Accordingly, they would not tolerate abandoning their Mus-haf (Arabic copy of the Quran) or recorded tapes of the Quran. Even at times of illness and fever, their tongues will utter what is instilled in their fresh and hearts including the words of Allah, The Almighty, and their great attachment to it.

 

Islam is a beautiful religion, full of wisdom and harmony. If this wonderful religion is followed properly then a typical Muslim would only be a great example to follow. The Prophet said: "The most perfect believer in faith is the one who is best in moral character..." [At-Tirmithi]

Spreading kindness at home:

'Aa'ishah said: "The Messenger of Allah said: '"When Allah, The Almighty,Wills some good towards the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them.'" [Ahmad]

According to another report: "When Allah loves the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them." [Ibn Abu Ad-Dunyaa] In other words, they start to be kind to one another.


This is one of the means of attaining happiness at home, for kindness is very beneficial between the spouses, and with the children, and it brings results that cannot be achieved through harshness, as the Prophet said: "Allah loves kindness and rewards for it in such a way that He does not reward for harshness or for anything else." [Muslim]

Helping the wife with the housework:

Many men think that housework is beneath them, and some of them think that it will undermine their status and position if they help their wives with this work. The Messenger of Allah however, used to "sew his own clothes, mend his own shoes and do whatever other work men do in their homes." [Ahmad]

This is how 'Aa'ishah responded when she was asked about what the Messenger of Allah used to do in his house; she described what she herself had seen. According to another report, she said: "He was like any other human being; he would clean his clothes, milk his ewe and serve himself." [Ahmad]

She was also asked about what the Messenger of Allah used to do in his house, and she said, "He used to serve his family, then when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray." [Al-Bukhari]

If we Muslim men were to do likewise nowadays, we would achieve three things:

1. We would be following the example of the Prophet .

2. We would be helping our wives.

3. We would feel more humble and down to earth.

These narrations should act as a reminder to those men, who demand food instantly from their wives, when the pot is on the stove and the baby is screaming to be fed; they do not pick up the child or wait a little while for the food.

Being affectionate towards and joking with the members of the family:

Showing affection towards one's wife and children is one of the things that lead to creating an atmosphere of happiness and friendliness in the home. Thus the Messenger of Allah advised Jaabir to marry a virgin, saying, "Why did you not marry a virgin, so you could play with her and she could play with you, and you could make her laugh and she could make you laugh?" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet also said: "Everything in which Allah's name is not mentioned is idleness and play, except for four things: a man playing with his wife..." [An-Nasaa'ee]

The Prophet used to treat his wife 'Aa'ishah affectionately when performing Ghusl (ritual bath) with her, as she said: "The Messenger of Allah and I used to perform Ghusl together from one vessel, and he would playfully pretend to take all the water so that I would say, 'Leave some for me, leave some for me.'" [Muslim]

The ways in which the Prophet showed affection towards young children are too famous to need mentioning. He often used to show his affection towards his grandchildren Hasan and Husayn. This is probably one of the reasons why the children used to rejoice when he came back from traveling; they would rush to welcome him, as reported in the following authentic narration: "Whenever he came back from a journey, the children of his household would be taken out to meet him." He used to hug them close to him, as 'Abdullaah Ibn Ja'far said: "Whenever the Prophet came back from a journey, we would be taken out to meet him (to the boundaries of Al-Madeenah). One day we met him, Hasan, Husayn and I. He carried one of us in front of him (on his animal), and another on his back, until we entered Al-Madeenah." [Muslim]

Compare this with the situation in some miserable homes where there is no joking or playing, affection or mercy among its members. Whoever thinks that kissing his children goes against the dignity of fatherhood should read the following narration reported from Abu Hurayrah who said:

"The Messenger of Allah kissed Al-Hasan Ibn 'Ali, and Al-Aqra' Ibn Haabis At-Tameemi was sitting with him. Al-Aqra' said: 'I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them.' The Messenger of Allah looked at him and said: 'The one who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.'" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]