Children and Our Responsibilities

– and those who say, “Our Lord, Give us, from our spouses and our children, comfort of eyes, and make us heads of the God-fearing.” (25:74).

Allah Almighty mentioned in the lineage of the determined prophets, Hazrat Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and Hazrat Zakariya (عليه السلام), that they prayed to Allah for offspring, and Allah accepted their prayer

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

O my Lord, bless me with a righteous son.” (37:100)

وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا

I fear (my) kinsmen after me, and my wife is barren, so bless me with an heir, from Your own side, (19:5).

It is evident that the desire for children is a natural and legitimate desire of humans. Allah Almighty has made them the light of the eyes and the joy of the heart for humans. Society cannot conceive of any beautiful and attractive conception without children. Just as rights and duties of different classes of society have been defined in Islam, guidance has also been given regarding the responsibilities of guardians and society concerning children. The first lesson of Islam regarding children is to rejoice at the birth of a new human being. Allah Almighty informed Hazrat Ibrahim (عليه السلام) of the birth of Hazrat Ishaq (عليه السلام) and Hazrat Zakariya (عليه السلام) of the birth of Hazrat Yahya (عليه السلام), and their reaction was expressed in terms of happiness. The birth of children is a matter of joy, and there is no distinction between boys and girls. Before Islam, people used to feel regretful about the birth of girls and considered it a disgrace for themselves. The Quran has condemned this attitude and criticized it. Because humans do not know whether boys or girls will be more beneficial and who will assist in difficult times. The most fundamental right of children is their right to live. Islam has observed the observance of this right in the way it has been shown. Generally, the legal existence of a child is recognized at the time of its birth. But in the view of Islam, from the day when the human embryo is placed in the mother’s womb, it becomes a respectable and worthy of protection human being. Therefore, Islam does not allow abortion. After the birth of the child, not only the parents and guardians but the entire human fraternity are responsible for its protection and survival. For this purpose, the Sharia has placed this moral right on the mother that she should breastfeed her children. The Quran has mentioned this on several occasions. Therefore, it is an accepted fact in medical science that there is no food more beneficial for children than the mother’s milk. Until children become capable of earning their own livelihood, the responsibility for their care rests not only on the parents but also on other close relatives if the parents are unable to fulfill it. It was not considered appropriate for parents to put underage children to work and fulfill their responsibilities through them. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) has instructed guardians to deal with children’s matters with sacrifice. Thus, Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah has made it obligatory for every Muslim to seek knowledge. It is evident that when there is a need in obligations, even compulsion is employed.

Imam Bukhari (رحمہ اللہ) has established under a title in his book that education should begin at the age of five. Religious education is also included in education because without acquiring the knowledge of religion, neither can a person improve his worldly life nor can he secure his hereafter. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain such knowledge through which one can fulfill his economic needs and live a dignified and happy life as a citizen. The Quran has adopted a comprehensive interpretation for this purpose, that teaching religion is necessary to save oneself and one’s family from hell, and for saving children from hell, religious education is essential. The method of livelihood is also essential to teach so that they can meet their needs in a lawful manner and do not resort to unlawful means. The importance of children’s education in Islam can be estimated by how essential it is considered that guardianship for children is not obligatory except in cases where they are disabled, but if boys are engaged in obtaining education and parents have the means to bear their expenses, then their provision is also obligatory. Similarly, scholars have declared Zakat permissible for students, and scholars have included the expenses of students in the category of spending in the way of Allah mentioned in the Quran. Along with children’s education, their upbringing is also necessary. Upbringing is what truly makes a human being. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that no person has given their children anything better than good manners and etiquette. Therefore, many injunctions and virtues have been explained by the Prophet (ﷺ) regarding the upbringing and character building of children. He (ﷺ) paid special attention to the upbringing of children, and whenever he saw someone saying something wrong, he would explain it to them with love and affection.