Rights of Children Over Their Parents in Islam

A Muslim acknowledges that the child has rights upon his father, which he must fulfill, along with manners he must uphold toward him. These rights include choosing a righteous mother for him, giving him a good name, slaughtering the `Aqiqah for him on the seventh day after his birth, circumcising him, having mercy and kindness toward him, spending on him, raising him properly, paying attention to educating and disciplining him according to the teachings of Islam, and training him to perform obligatory acts, Sunnah practices, and etiquettes.

And when he reaches maturity, the parent should marry him off, then give him the choice between remaining under his care or living independently, prospering in his own hands. All of this is based on the evidence from the Quran and Sunnah.

Quranic Evidence for Father’s Responsibilities

Allah Says, {˹Divorced˺ mothers will breastfeed their offspring for two whole years, for those who wish to complete the nursing ˹of their child˺. The child’s father will provide reasonable maintenance and clothing for the mother ˹during that period˺.} [Al-Baqarah 2:233]

And Allah the Exalted also Says, {O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, overseen by formidable and severe angels, who never disobey whatever Allah orders—always doing as commanded.} [At-Tahrim 66:6]

In this ayah is the command to protect one’s family from the Fire through obedience to Allah. Obeying Him necessitates knowing what He loves to be obeyed in, and this cannot occur without learning. Since the child is part of a man’s family, the ayah is proof of the obligation for the father to teach, raise, guide, and encourage his child toward goodness, obedience to Allah and His Messenger, while keeping him away from disbelief, sins, corruption, and evil, protecting him thereby from the torment of the Fire.

Financial Responsibility and Protection of Children in Islam

Likewise, in the first ayah — {˹Divorced˺ mothers will breastfeed their offspring} — is evidence for the obligation upon the father to financially support the child, since the required maintenance for the nursing mother is due because of her breastfeeding the child.

And Allah the Almighty Says, {Do not kill your children for fear of poverty.} [Al-Isra’ 17:31]

Prophetic Teachings on Caring for Children

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said when asked about the most serious of sins: “Attribute a partner to Allah, though He Alone has created you… Kill your child, fearing that he will share your food with you… To commit adultery with your neighbor’s wife.”

Thus, the prohibition of killing children necessitates having mercy upon them, showing compassion, and preserving their bodies, minds, and souls.

And he (peace be upon him) said regarding the `Aqiqah: “Every boy is pawned against his `Aqiqah, to be slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day of his birth, his head is to be shaved, and he must be given a name.”

He (peace be upon him) also said: “The inborn characteristics of man are five: circumcision, shaving the pubes, clipping the moustaches, paring the nails, and plucking out hair under the armpit.”

And he (peace be upon him) said: “Be kind to your children, and perfect their manners, for they are a gift granted to you.”

And the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Be equal among your children when gifting them; for if I were to favor anyone, I would have favored women.”

Additionally, he (peace be upon him) said: “Command your children to observe prayer when they are seven years old, and beat them for [not observing] it when they are ten years old, and do not let [boys and girls] sleep together.”

Companions Sayings on Raising Children

It is narrated: “Part of a child’s right over his father is that he perfects his manners and gives him a good name.”

And `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Part of the child’s right over the father is that he teaches him writing and archery, and that he only provides him with lawful sustenance.”

And he is also reported to have said: “Marry into righteous families, for lineage is impactful.”

You May Also Read:

• How to Enjoy Raising Our Children? (1) What is Parenting?
• 5 Daily Activities to Support Your Child Emotionally and Mentally
• Great Mothers Who Changed the Course of History

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Taken from the book: “Minhaj Al-Muslim (The Way of the Muslim) by Abu Bakr Al-Jaza`iri.