The poet Hafez Ibrahim said: “A mother is a school; if you prepare her well, you prepare a people of good character.” The family is the first school of human life, and more particularly the mother. A newborn child first sees its mother and spends its time with her, laughing and playing. Through laughter and tears it soon gets to know the rest of the family: its father, then its grandparents, brothers and sisters and neighbours. In this way a child begins to learn conduct and values from family and loved ones. So Islam sees the family not only as a social institution but as the first and most important school for forming faith, morals, manners and human qualities. In the Holy Quran, Allah says: “O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones.” (Surah At-Tahrim: 6) In this verse Allah warns about the hereafter and also reminds parents of a great duty entrusted to them. Teaching children religion, good character and the fear of Allah is the main duty of parents.
A child’s first language, first conduct, first love, first discipline and first religious awareness all begin in the family. As a family’s environment is, so the next generation will largely be. Elsewhere Allah says: “And enjoin prayer on your family, and be steadfast in it yourself.” (Surah Ta-Ha: 132) Islamic education, in other words, begins at home. If a home has an atmosphere of prayer, Quran recitation, truthfulness, trustworthiness and mutual respect, the child will naturally grow up with those ideals.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be asked about his flock.” (Bukhari: 893; Muslim: 1829) In another hadith he said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.” (Tirmidhi: 3895)
This hadith teaches that true piety is not confined to worship; good conduct towards one’s family is also an important part of faith.
In today’s world, the spread of technology, consumer culture, unchecked use of social media and weakening family bonds have brought the new generation face to face with many moral crises. Many parents secure good schooling, modern technology and financial comfort for their children but do not give moral and religious education the attention it needs. So while the number of educated people is rising, the number of people of good character is not rising as hoped.
A child’s mind is like fertile soil: the seed sown in it is the crop it will bear. If a family practises truth, justice, honesty, patience, kindness, forgiveness and God-consciousness, the child will acquire those qualities too. If lies, discord, harshness and neglect prevail, the effect on the child’s inner world will be deep and harmful.
In Islamic history the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) family was a shining example of an ideal family, with kindness, love and a sense of responsibility towards one another, and a full atmosphere of good character and worship. It was by following that example that the Companions became the finest generation of humanity. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Whoever neglects to teach his child what will benefit him and leaves him to do as he pleases does him the gravest wrong. Most children go astray because of their parents’ neglect and their failure to teach them the obligations and sunnah of the religion.” (Tuhfat al-Mawdud bi Ahkam al-Mawlud)
These words are as relevant today. The aim of every family should be to raise a child not only as a successful professional but as an honest, responsible and God-fearing person. We need families where the Quran is recited every day, where every child is taught the importance of praying in congregation, to hate lies and deceit, to respect elders and to be kind to the young. Such families are the foundation of Islamic civilisation and the first step towards building a good society.
We must remember that a nation’s future is decided in its families. If families are exemplary, society will be exemplary, and an exemplary society will make the state rich in justice, fairness and humanity. Let us light up each of our families with Islamic values, because only a well-educated, upright and God-conscious family can build a moral, prosperous and peaceful nation.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report