Significance Of Salah

                                                                                          

Closeness to Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ is a basic aim of a Muslim. He does everything to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. Our religion Islam teaches us the perfect ways to gain the pleasure of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. One of them is establishing Salah. We get closeness of our Lord عَزَّ وَجَلَّ in Salah. Beloved Rasool صلّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہ وسلّم told us that a person is very close to his Lord عَزَّ وَجَلَّ in Sajdah. In another place it is narrated that a person becomes the beloved of Allah with the Obligatory Salah and with the supererogatory Salah.

It is such a significant and important Farz that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ordered it in the Holy Quran more than seven hundred times. Beloved Rasool صلّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہ وسلّم also mentioned the significance of Salah and told us how great reward we will earn when we offer Salah. Even taking steps towards the Masjid doing Wudu waiting for Salah are all virtues. Very first question to be asked on the Day of Judgment will be about Salah. Let us enlighten our heart with ayahs of Quran and Ahadees on the significance of Salah.

وَ اَقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَ اٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَ ارْكَعُوْا مَعَ الرّٰكِعِیْنَ(۴۳)

“And keep the Salah (obligatory prayer) established and pay Zakat (obligatory charity) and bow with those who bow (with congregational prayer)”

حٰفِظُوْا عَلَى الصَّلَوٰتِ وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰىۗ-وَ قُوْمُوْا لِلّٰهِ قٰنِتِیْنَ(۲۳۸)

“Guard all your Salahs, and (particularly) the middle Salah; and stand with reverence before Allah”

Here are few Ahadess as well in this regard:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَقَالَ الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ كَفَّارَاتٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ ‏

Abu Huraira رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ reported that the Messenger of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ said: The five (daily) prayers and one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer are expiations (for the sins committed in the intervals) between them.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ مِفْتَاحُ الْجَنَّةِ الصَّلاَةُ وَمِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الْوُضُوءُ

Jabir bin 'Abdullah, رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ, narrated that: Allah's Messenger صلّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہ وسلّم said: "The key to Paradise is Salah, and the key to Salah is Wudu'.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَـ قَالَ كَفَّارَاتُ الْخَطَايَا إِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوءِ عَلَى الْمَكَارِهِ وَإِعْمَالُ الأَقْدَامِ إِلَى الْمَسَاجِدِ وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ ‏

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ that:The Prophet Muhammad صلّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہ وسلّم said: "Sins are expiated by well-performed Wudu despite difficulties, increasing the number of steps one takes towards the Masjid, and waiting for the next prayer after prayer." And Offering Salah with jamat have greater reward as in different Ahadees it is mentioned that Salah with jamat is twenty five or twenty seven times greater than without jamat. Here is one Hadees on it:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏ صَلاَةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَعْدِلُ خَمْسًا وَعِشْرِينَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْفَذِّ‏

Abu Huraira رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ reported Allah's Messenger صلّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہ وسلّم as saying: “Prayer offered in a congregation is equivalent to twenty-five (prayers) as compared with the prayer offered by a single person.” Those who do not offer Salah are committing major sin and if a person doesn’t read one times Salah his name is written on the door of hell. Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ says in the Holy Quran Karim those who do not offer Salah they are at loss here is this Ayah:

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ اَمْوَالُكُمْ وَ لَاۤ اَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللّٰهِۚ-وَ مَنْ یَّفْعَلْ ذٰلِكَ فَاُولٰٓىٕكَ هُمُ الْخٰسِرُوْنَ(۹)

“O believers! Let not your wealth or your children make you negligent from the remembrance of Allah and whoever does that, they are the losers.”

Honourable Mufassirin say, “In this Holy Ayah, the remembrance of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ refers to the five daily Salah, therefore, the one who does not offer his Salah at its specified time because of his preoccupation with his wealth (i.e. trading), cultivation and employment, goods and his children, is at loss.”

May Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ give us tofiq to establish Salah! Ameen

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Brief biography of khwaja ghreeb nawaz

 

Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was a great mystic, an outstanding preacher, and an inspired man, an erudite scholar and a great poet and writer. He was the perfect representation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He was a true Saint amongst the Saints who are an inspiration and doorways to God Almighty during these desperate times. Let us read about this great personality in few words:

The name of Khuwaja Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه is Hassan Chishti Ajmayri. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 1142 (537 H) at Sanjar in Saijistan or Seestaan in a prestigious and educated family.

His famous titles include Mu’eenuddin, Ghareeb Nawaz, Sultan-ul-Hind and Atta-e-Rasool.

(Mu’een-ul-Hind Hazrat Khuwajah Mu’eenudin Ajmayri, pp. 20

Like  a  true  mystic  Khwaja  Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه spent  most  of  his  life  traveling and acquiring knowledge and in the company of the great Saints of his time. He met with his Spiritual Guide (Murshid) Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه when he was in his early twenties and made the Spiritual Contract (Bai’ah) with him. He traveled and acquired much spiritual benefit from his Murshid. His travels also took him to Lahore where he visited the tomb of Hazrat Shaykh Ali Hujweri famous as Hazrat Daata Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه.

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه also travelled Syria, Baghdad and Kirman, etc., for gaining knowledge. During the visit of Haramayn he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was blessed with the sainthood of India from the blessed court of Risalat and was ordered to serve Islam in India.

(Sayr-ul-Iqtaab, pp. 142)

With his good manners, good character and speech, he propagated Islam in this region. Hundreds of thousands of people embraced Islam after being impressed to him. How good his character was can be seen in this story: Once, a disbeliever came with the intention of killing Sayyiduna Khuwajah Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ تَـعَـالٰی عَـلَيْـه holding a dagger in the armpit. He رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ تَـعَـالٰی عَـلَيْـه sensed his intention through his spiritual intellect. When the person approached closer, Sayyiduna Khuwajah Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ تَـعَـالٰی عَـلَيْـه exclaimed, ‘Put your task into action, I am present in front of you.’ Having heard these words, that person started trembling. He took out the dagger, cast it away and threw himself at the feet of Sayyiduna Khuwajah Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. He repented earnestly and became Muslim.

(Mirat-ul-Asraar, pp. 598)

Through reformation and preaching, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه prepared such a group of students and Khulafa that carried out the great duty of serving Islam everywhere in Pakistan and India (subcontinent). He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه also carried out the duty of serving Islam and reforming people through his writings and books. In his books, one can find the mention of Anees-ul-Arwah, Kashful Asraar, Ganj-ul-Asraar and Deevan-e-Mu’een.

(Mu’een-ul-Hind Hazrat Khuwajah Mu’eenudin Ajmayri, pp. 103 - 106)

Khuwaja Ghareeb Nawaz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه approximately spent 45 years serving Islam in India. Finally, this fountain of wisdom, knowledge and guidance departed this world on 6th Rajab 627 H in Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan, India). His luminous shrine is situated in Ajmer Shareef.

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Day Of Demise

Rabi’-ul-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic year. Brief biographies of 17 of those blessed Sahabah رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم, great Awliya and Islamic Ulama رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی whose day of demise or Urs is marked in this month were included in Rabi’-ul-Awwal issue of the monthly magazine ‘Faizan-e-Madinah’, 1439 Hijri. Following are brief biographies of some more Islamic personalities:


Blessed Sahabah عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ  


1The apple of Rasool’s eye, Sayyiduna Ibraheem رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was born to Umm-ul-Mu’mineen, Sayyidatuna Mariah Qibtiyah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهَا in Madinah Munawwarah in Zul-Hijjah, 8 Hijri; he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ passed away on 10 Rabi’-ul-Awwal 10 Hijri. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was laid to rest in Jannat-ul-Baqee’. (Al-Muntazim Fi-Tareekh-ul-Malook wal-Umam, vol. 4, pp. 10; Al-Bidaya Wan-Nahayah, vol. 4, pp. 301)


2Sayyiduna Anees Bin Mursad Ghanavi رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ is a companion of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ took part in the conquest of Makkah and Ghazwah Hunayn. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ passed away in Rabi’-ul-Awwal, 20 Hijri. His grandfather was an ally of Sayyiduna Hamzah Bin Abdul Muttalib رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُما. His grandfather, father and brother also embraced Islam. (Asad-uul-Ghabah, vol. 1, pp.203 – 204; Al-Isti’aab, vol. 1, pp. 202)


Blessed Awliya رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی


1 Student of Imam-e-A’zam, Sayyiduna Abu Sulayman Dawood Taa’ee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in Kufa; he passed away on 8 Rabi-ul-Awwal 165 Hijri in Baghdad. He was an expert in all the fields of Islamic knowledge, leader of Quranic reciters, leader of Muhaddiseen and Islamic jurists, and Imam of Awliya. (Tareekh-ul-Islam li-Zahbi, vol. 4, pp. 357 – 362; Miraat-ul-Israar, pp. 276 - 278)


2 A famous Wali, Sayyiduna Bishr Haafi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 150 Hijri in ‘Merv’, Khurasan [Iran]. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away on 13 Rabi-ul-Awwal 227 Hijri in Baghdad. His blessed shrine is situated in Maqbarah-Quraysh (Kazimiyah North Baghdad), Iraq. He was a great worshipper and an ascetic person, admirer of Ulama and Awliya, possessor of a high rank and status, and one of the great Awliya. (Tareekh-ul-Islam Li-Zahbi, vol. 5, pp. 540 - 544)


3 Founder of the Sabriyah spiritual order, Shaykh ‘Alauddeen Ali Ahmad Sabir Kaleri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه  was born in Haraat (Afghanistan) in 592 Hijri. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away on 13 Rabi ul Awwal 690 Hijri. His blessed shrine is situated in Kaliyar (Saharanpur district, UP), India. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was the nephew, disciple and Khalifah of Sayyiduna Baba Fareed Ganj Shakar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, and was amongst the great Awliya of Hind [Indian subcontinent]. (Faizan-e-Sabir, pp. 1 – 3 - 41)


4 Mahboob-ul-Ulama, Asad-e-Millat-o-Deen, Sayyiduna Shah Abul Ma’aali Sayyid Kher ud Deen Qaadiri Kirmani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 960 Hijri in the town of Shayr Garh (Tehsil Renala Khurd, Okara district), Pakistan. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away on 16 Rabi ul Awwal 1024 Hijri. His blessed shrine is visited by the people from all walks of life in Main Bazar Gawalmandi (near City Railway Station), Markaz ul Awliya, Lahore. He was a great Sheikh-e-Tareeqat of Qaadiriyyah spiritual order, a practising scholar, author of books, a Na’at poet, and the friend of Imam-ul-Muhaddiseen, Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddis-e-Dehilvi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. The authentic book, namely ‘Tuhfa-e-Qaadiriyyah’ has been authored by him. (Tazkirah Awliya-e-Pakistan, vol. 2, pp. 24 – 31, Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, vol. 28, pp. 429)


5  Ghaus of his era, Sayyiduna Peer Ghulam Muhyuddin Siddiqi Ghaznavi Naqshbandi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan in 1320 Hijri; he passed away on 12 Rabi ul Awwal 1395 Hijri. His blessed shrine is situated in Neriyan (Pulandri district), Kashmir. He is amongst the famous blessed Awliya. (Tazkirah Akabir-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, pp. 352 – 354; Tazkirah Hadrat Muhaddis-e-Dakan, pp. 457 - 460)


Blessed Ulama رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی


6 Haafiz-ul-Hadees, Taqi’uddin, Sayyiduna Abdul Ghani Muqaddasi Hambali رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 541 Hijri in Jamm’eel (near Nabulus, Bayt-ul-Muqaddas), Palestine. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away in Rabi ul Awwal, 600 Hijri, in Cairo, Egypt. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was laid to rest in Qarafah (Jabl-e-Muqtam, South Cairo). He was the student of Ghaus e A’zam, a practising Aalim, Ustaz-ul-Ulama, the author of many books, and a person with awe-inspiring and dignifying personality. عمدة الاحكام من كلام خير الانام is his famous book. (Rasa’il-e-Ramadan Dar Faza’il-e-Ramadan, pp. 100 - 104)


7 Imam of Qurra [Quranic reciters] and Muhaddiseen, Sayyiduna Imam Shams ud Deen Abu Al-Khayr Muhammad Jazri Shafi’ee Qaadiri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 751 Hijri in Mahallah Qasa’een, Damascus, Syria. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away on 5 Rabi ul Awwal 833 Hijri in Sheeraz (Muhallah Askafeen, province of Faris), Iran. He was an Islamic researcher, leader of Ulama, the greatest Qazi of his era, and the author of many books including حصن حصین and مقدمہ جزریہ. (Bustan-ul-Muhaddiseen, pp. 207)


8  Abu Hanifah Saani (2nd), Sayyiduna Imam Siraajuddin Umar Bin Ibraheem Ibn-e-Najeem Misri Hanafi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 926 Hijri, in Cairo, Egypt. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away at the same place on 6 Rabi ul Awwal 1005 Hijri. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was a great Mufti, great Islamic jurist, possessor of great attributes and virtues, and extremely honourable and dignified in the sight of rulers. النهر الفائق شرح كنز الدقائق is his famous book. (Hidayat-ul-‘Arifeen, vol. 5, pp. 796, Khulasa-tul-Asar, vol. 3, pp. 206)


9 Sayyiduna ‘Allamah Abdul Hakeem Siddiqi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in Ziyakot (Sialkot, Punjab), Pakistan in 989 Hijri; he passed away at the same place on 16 Rabi ul Awwal 1067 Hijri. He was Ustaaz-ul-‘Ulama, expert in all the fields of Islamic knowledge, author of books, majaaz in Tareeqah, famous in ‘Arab and ‘Ajam, leader of ‘Ulama, and a great Aalim of his era. His annotations of various books of Dars e Nizami have also been published. (Tazkirah ‘Ulama-e-Hind, pp. 280; Urdu Da’irah Ma’arif-e-Islmaiyyah, vol. 12, pp. 834 - 837)


10 Shaykh-e-Muhaqqiq, ‘Allamah Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehilvi Qaadiri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 958 Hijri in Delhi (India); he passed away in the same city on 21 Rabi’-ul-Awwal 1052 Hijri. His blessed shrine is situated in Khanqah-e-Qaadiriyyah (near Bagh Mahdiyan, opposite Fort Kahna), Delhi, Hind. He was Hafiz of the Holy Quran, Imam of the Muhaddiseen of Hind, a great Aalim of his era, Qutub of his time, author of many books and commentator of Ahadees. Two commentaries on Mishkaat Shareef, namely اشعۃ اللمعات (in Persian) and لمعات التنیقح (in Arabic) are also included in his more than a dozen books. (Ashi’at-ul-Lam’aat Sharah Mishkaat, pp. 67 - 93)


11 Muhaddis of Hijaz, ‘Allamah Muhammad Abid Sindhi Madani Naqshbandi Hanafi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 1190 Hijri in Sehwan, Dadu district (Bab-ul-Islam, Sindh), Pakistan. He رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه passed away on 18 Rabi’-ul-Awwal 1257 Hijri in Madinah Munawwarah and was laid to rest in Jannat ul Baqi. He was an expert in all the fields of Islamic knowledge, a great Islamic jurist and Muhaddis, Raees-ul-‘Ulama, expert in all the four schools of Islamic Jurisprudence (Hanafi, Shafa’ee, Maliki and Hambali) and an author of various books. Amongst his books, the memorable one is the commentary on Durr e Mukhtar, namely طوالع الانوار (eight volumes). (Ar-Risa’il-ul-Khams, pp. 33 – 42; Anwar-e-‘Ulama-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, pp. 767 – 772; Hada’iq-e-Hanafiyah, pp. 490)


12Muhaddis of Syria, Sayyiduna ‘Allamah Muhammad Badruddeen Hasani Maghrabi Shafa’ee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was born in 1267 Hijri near Dar-ul-Hadees Ashrafiyyah, Asroniyah market, Damascus, Syria; he passed away in the same city on 27 Rabi ul Awwal 1354 Hijri. He was laid to rest in Bab-us-Sagheer, the famous graveyard of Damascus. He was the Hafiz of Quran, a great Aalim of his era, Mujaddid of his time, Sheikh-us-Shuyukh, Mufti of Syria, author of more than 35 books, a perfect Sufi and a prominent personality of Syria. (Sayyidi

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Children's Education in Islam

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

Praise be to God the Creator of the world, the One Who exists without beginning, without end, without location, without a "how" and Who does not depend on time. Nothing resembles Him in anyway and He hears and sees everything without organs. Whatever you imagine, God is different from that. May the elevation in degree and preservation of his community of what he fears for it, be granted to our master MuHammad Al-'Amin, the Honest One, who called for following Islam, the religion of truth, the religion of all the Prophets: of the first, Adam, to the last MuHammad.

Allâh the exalted said in the Holy Qur'ân in Surat-TaHrim:

    

﴿ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّـهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ﴾

This ayah means: « O you who believed protect yourselves and your families from Hellfire, which is fuelled by people and stones. »

Prophet MuHammad peace be upon Him said what means: « Every one of you is a guardian over his dependents and is responsible for the action of these persons who are dependent on him. »

Allâh the Exalted created us into many tribes, colours and languages. He created us as individuals with diverse traditions and understandings.

Allâh ordered the entire mankind to follow the only acceptable Religion, Islam. He revealed many different rules upon His messengers in order to teach it to the people.

Allâh the Exalted bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad the last and the simplest set of rules to mankind, so we should follow and practice it.

The good society is the society where all its individuals possess good manners.

The question is; who are the individuals that make up the society ?

They are in fact the fathers, the mothers and their children.

The parents should be good role models for their children and teach them the proper manners and principles of Islam in order to establish the righteous society.

In the subject of teaching children well, Sheikh Mustafa Naja who was a former mufti of the city of Beirut said: « Younger children are easier to teach, unlike those who are pubescent. What you teach the child from a younger age, is what will make the major effect in his adulthood. The child is like an empty jug that will take whatever you fill it with.  If you fill it with a pure substance, that is what will pour out. »

The role of parents is very important in raising the children Islamically. Let us remember what the prophet had said:

« مروا أولادكم بالصلاة وهم أبناء سبع »

We understand from this Hadîth that it is obligatory upon the guardian of a child who reached the age of mental discrimination to order the child to perform prayer, to teach him the rules of prayer after the child has completed seven lunar years.

The same is done in the case of fasting if the child can bear fasting. Moreover the guardian must teach the child the fundamentals of Islam such as Allâh does not resembles any of

يا أيها الذين ءامنوا قوا أنفسَكم وأهليكُم نارا وقودُها الناسُ والحجارة

 his creations and that Allah exists without a place and that Allâh sent messengers and prophets, the first was Adam and the last was MuHammad.

The guardians must also teach the child what is lawful and what is unlawful. Examples of some unlawful matters include stealing, drinking alcohol, and adultery.

They should teach the child what is obligatory such as the daily five prayers, and what is rewardable such as using siwak and praying in congregation.

What we are witnessing today such as murders, stealing, and drug consumption are all a result of the absence of the parents’ role models and the incorrect teachings given to the child and their negligence in raising the child in an Islamic way.

Therefore it is important for us as guardians to consider seriously the way we raise our children.

Finally let us remember the saying of the Prophet:

« المرء على دين خليله فلينظر أحدكم من يخالل »

Which means: « A person is likely to follow the habits of his friend so be aware of whom you take as a friend. »

We ask Allâh to enable us to raise our children Islamically and develop them into righteous members of society.

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