Islam cares about childhood and Mus

Islam cares about childhood and Muslims regard children as gifts/trust from Allah (SWT). Parents will be held responsible for this trust on the Day of Judgement. Hence Islam pays particular attention to rights of children and to the proper manner to raise them, so that they will be equipped to face the difficulties of life. We must pay more attention to the best interests of the children. All these principles were mentioned in Noble Qur'an and Ahadith, which cares about the rights of child even before he or she is born. Before getting married, a man should choose the best possible woman to be his children's mother.

Children have the right to be fed, clothed and protected until they reach adulthood. The child has the right to a good education and a stable environment in which to grow up. Boys and girls, as well as orphans, possess these rights in full. Nevertheless Allah (SWT) and Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave parent certain obligations to assure children's rights.

Respect for human rights begins with the way that a community treats its children. Children's rights cannot be separated from human rights because children are the future generation. Taking care of the coming generation by protecting their dignity and providing them their needs is the most important thing for bringing up citizens best equipped to serve the community.

On the other hand child abuse weakens a child's ability to study and makes them nervous as they lose their sense of security. Many abused children go on to commit crimes and end up in prison. The family is the most important unit for forming the community by bringing up the next generation. So if there are problems in the home, children will be affected and the whole family and community will suffer.

O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. Noble Qur'an, (66:6)

Parents are obligated not only to see to their religious training, proper education but also training in sports and self defense of their children. In addition, they must not show preference of sons and suppression or negligence of daughters.

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says: "Observe justice in dealing with your children in the same manner in which you expect them to observe justice in being kind and good to you."

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says: "Whoever goes to the bazaar and purchases a present for the members of his family and brings it to them is like one who spends on the needy. However he should prefer daughters to sons because whoever pleases his daughter is like one who frees a slave from among the descendants of Prophet Ismail (as)."

Relationship between Parents and Children in Islam:

"Your parents and your children, you know not which of them is the nearer to you in usefulness; this is an ordinance from Allah: Surely Allah is Knowing, Wise." Noble Qur'an (4:11)

The above verse from Noble Qur'an shows the Islamic attitude towards the relationship between parents and children. From infancy to adulthood, it is unparalleled tender love and care of the parents which brings the child from the stage of absolute weakness and helplessness to perfect strength and independence.

Conversely, in old age a man becomes like a small child; the mind and body turn so weak that Allah (SWT) says in Noble Qur'an: If We grant long life to any, We cause him to be reversed in nature: Will they not then understand? Noble Qur'an (36:68)

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says: "The parents are responsible with regard to their children in the same manner in which the children are responsible with regard to their parents."

Yesterday, your parents looked after you when you were too feeble to look after yourself; today you must look after them. Could we ever dare to think about leaving our parents after all they have done so much for us? No entry into Jannah without parents being pleased.

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and Loving Children

Muslim ParentingOnce Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was on his way to someone's home; he saw Imam Hussain playing with boys. Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) extended his hands for little Imam Hussain to go up and played with him and made him laugh in front of everybody; then he held him and gave him a kiss.

Once a companion (Sahabi) visited the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when he was engaged in caressing his two grandchildren, Hasan and Hussain. Being surprised at this act, the companion said:

"O Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)! Do you also caress children, I have ten children but I have never fondled even one of them."

Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) raised his eyes and remarked: "It seems mercy and kindness has left your heart."

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says: "A good act is written in the record of virtuous deeds for one who gives a kiss to his child."

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was very kind to children and loved them very much. He used to carry them on his shoulders. The children would become very happy and laugh. Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), too, would become happy at the pure happiness and laughter of the children and a smile would appear on his face.

Every time Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) returned from a trip, children would be waiting for him and he would hold some of them and ask his companions to hold others. When Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) leaves, the children would be talking about how he held one to his chest and another to his back and how he asked others to hold the rest.

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to give his Salaam (greetings) to children and would tell his companions (Sahaba): "I give my Salaam to children and respect them, and Muslims should follow my behavior and always be warm and loving with children."

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to speak about children - boys and girls - and Say: "O Muslims, O fathers and mothers, O my followers, be kind and compassionate towards children, for someone who is not kind to children has no place amongst the Muslims."

Children are blessings not burden: (Muslim Parenting, Rights of Children in Islam)

Muslim ParentsAllah (SWT) says in Noble Qur'an: "Kill not your children for fear of want. We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is great sin." Noble Qur'an (17: 31)

Once a Companion, Sahabi (Allah be pleased with him) submitted to the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which is the greatest sin?"

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: "Polytheism"

The Companion, Sahabi (Allah be pleased with him) again submitted: "And what next?"

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: "Disobedience to parents"

The Companion, Sahabi (Allah be pleased with him) submitted for the third time: "And which sin is the greatest next to it?"

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: "To kill your children fearing that they will share your sustenance."

Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) and Loving Children (Rights of Children in Islam, Muslim Parenting)

Tarbiyat Al-Awlad (Child upbringing in Islam)Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) was very kind to children, especially to orphans. If he ever saw an orphan crying, he would stop whatever he was doing, bend down, give the child his Salaam (greetings), wipe away the child's tears, put his hand on the child's shoulder and say, "My child, why are you crying? Has someone hurt you? Come; let me take you to my house."

Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) would take the child home and treat him better than any father. He would bring the child sweets, cakes and honey and put them in the child's mouth himself.

Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) used to tell his followers to love and be kind to orphans, especially the orphans of martyrs killed in the path of Allah. "They have lost their loving fathers," he used to say. "So cheer them up and look after them just like a father. Their fathers were martyred in Jihad and for the sake of Islam and they have rights on you. Make their souls pleased with you by cheering up their children and looking after them."

Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) was always attentive to orphans especially to those of the martyrs. He used to visit them and sit, chat and play with them He used to take care of their education and training. Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) would strive to solve their difficulties and always offered them guidance and advice. He would bring them gifts and, if they were poor, he would respectfully provide their expenses.

Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as) was so kind to orphans and laid so much stress on them in his teachings that one of his companions (Sahaba) said: "How I wish that I too was a young orphan so that I would receive kindness and love from Imam Ali son of Abu Talib (as)."

Tarbiyat Al-Awlad (Child upbringing in Islam), Tarbiyatul Aulad (Aulad Ki Tarbiyat)

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: A virtuous child is a fragrant flower from the flowers of Heaven.

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Be kind to your children, and excel in this kindness.

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Have your children to learn swimming and shooting.

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Train your children in three things: The love of your Prophet,