The Muslim Family, Education, Honesty, the HolyQuran, Cosmic Architecture
The individual human is the foundation of society, its foremost pillar, and the axis of this universe. He is the most important brick in its towering edifice. He is civil and social by nature, beginning his life with a dual structure: his father and his mother. Therefore, the family is the first embrace.
He is also a product of his environment and family. They influence the formation of his behaviour, thoughts, values, habits, religion, culture, and language. They are the fertile soil in which we can plant the seeds of love, compassion, and virtue in the souls of the young.
The peacock is a bird that combines beauty and grace: beauty in its appearance, and grace in its movement. It moves with dignity and serenity, walking with pride and elegance. Thus, Ibn al-A'sha, emulating it, composed poetry that is considered one of the masterpieces of symbolic literature:
The peacock once strutted with flair,
His offspring mimicked, their steps in the air.
"Why do you swagger?" he asked in dismay,
"We learned from you," they earnestly say.
"Adjust your stride, make it straight and true,
For we, like you, will mirror anew.
Don't you know, dear father, each branch and bend,
In paths we tread, our teachings blend.
From our youth we grow, shaped by your sway,
In the dance of life, following your way."(1)
From the animal kingdom to the world of humanity, where the wise assert that humans are products of their environment, and a thing is not surprising considering its nature, these thoughts circulated in my mind as I reflected upon the words of Allah: “The fertile land produces abundantly by the Will of its Lord, whereas the infertile land hardly produces anything. This is how We vary (Our) lessons to those who are thankful.” (Quran, 7:58)
The eminent scholar Ibn Jarir al-Tabari explains this verse: "The good land, its soil is fertile, its waters fresh, its plants flourish when Allah sends down the rain and grants it life by His permission. Its fruits are wholesome and timely. As for the barren land, its soil is barren, its waters brackish. Its vegetation emerges only with great difficulty, meaning it yields only hardship in adversity."(2)
The righteous man is preserved in his offspring due to good upbringing, refinement, and guidance
Suggestions of the Noble Quran and Their Significance
From the strong implications and deep meanings that allude to the aforementioned ideas is the saying of Allah: “Noah had prayed, “My Lord! Do not leave a single disbeliever on earth. (26) For if You spare (any of) them, they will certainly mislead Your servants, and give birth only to (wicked) sinners, staunch disbelievers. (27)” (Quran, 71:26,27).
“And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous.” (Quran, 18:82).
“As for those who believe and whose descendants follow them in faith, We will elevate their descendants to their rank, never discounting anything (of the reward) of their deeds. Every person will reap only what they sowed” (Quran, 52:21).
In the first verse, it's evidence that a snake only gives birth to a snake, and that a corrupt origin does not yield an offspring free from defects. "For Noah's heart was stirred by the earth's need for a cleansing, to purify her face from the rampant, unbridled evil that had overtaken the people in his time. Sometimes, there is no remedy but to cleanse the face of the earth from the wrongdoers, as their presence solidifies the call to God and hinders reaching the hearts of others. Moreover, they create an environment and atmosphere in which disbelief is nurtured, and the upbringing under oppressors predisposes the young to disbelief. Thus, there is no opportunity for the light to shine upon the youth through the corrupt environment they are immersed in."(3)
In the second and third verses, there is a clear indication that a righteous man is preserved in his offspring due to good upbringing, refinement, and guidance. The blessing of his worship for them extends to both this world and the Hereafter, with his intercession for them and their elevation to the highest ranks in Paradise on the Day of Judgment, bringing joy to his eyes.
Between Fadil and his son Top of Form
Al-Fadil ibn Ayyad was a towering figure among men, a leader whose renown spread in asceticism and piety. His star shone brightly in forsaking greed and desire. He set a righteous example for his son, nurturing him from childhood in noble virtues before he reached manhood. One day, he said to him: "People adorn themselves with nothing better than honesty and seeking lawful means." His son Ali replied: "O father, indeed lawful means are precious." Al-Fadil responded: "O my son, even if its quantity is little in the eyes of people, it is abundant in the sight of God."(4) A child raised upon honesty and seeking lawful means will surely find favor with God.
The building of a human being begins through the family, as it is the first environment and the cornerstone
Al-Fadil continued to raise his son Ali, but Ali showed indifference towards him. Al-Fadil sought help from Allah and prayed for him for three years, saying in his prayers: "O Allah, I have exerted effort in raising Ali, but I have not been able to guide him; You guide him for me." By the grace of Allah, Ali transformed into a symbol of asceticism and worship. He would pray until he crawled to his bed, then turn to his father and say: "O father, the ascetics have surpassed me. One of them died while in prostration during prayer." His father would respond: "May Allah have mercy on my beloved, who aided me in asceticism and worship." This is the virtuous outcome of the blessed upbringing planted by the father's hands, which flourished and bore fruit. It is no wonder then that Abdullah ibn Mubarak said: "The best of people is Al-Fadil ibn Ayyad, and better than him is his son Ali."(5) Righteousness in the branch stems from the goodness of the root.
A Message to the Educator
You are the one who leaves the first imprint on your child's life.
You are the first to sketch the features of your child's personality with your noble fingers.
You are the first to inscribe in the notebook of your child's existence, for your child is a reflection of your behaviour.
You are the first to sow the seeds of virtue in your child's field.
Beware of commanding truthfulness while being a liar by action, or instructing honesty while being treacherous by deed. Beware of placing on the scale that which you are ashamed of before the Almighty.
It is undeniable that the young child is the future itself and history in the making. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the guardian to fear God in their upbringing and to surround them with a fence of education and refinement. "For indeed, the corruption of most children comes from the negligence of their parents, their failure to teach them the obligations of religion and its traditions. Thus, they are lost when they are young, and they do not benefit themselves nor do they benefit their parents when they are older."(6)
The child who is raised upon honesty and seeking lawful means will find favor with God Top of Form
Foundation stone
These are three truths in this context:
First: The construction of the universe is through humans, in whom the path of stewardship on Earth is realized.
Second: The building of humans occurs through the family, as it is the first environment, the cornerstone, and the foundation stone.
Third: The role of the family, positively and negatively, in guiding the youth and preserving the purity of their nature day and night, or leading them astray towards a perilous edge.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of the people of his house and he is responsible. A woman is the shepherd of the house of her husband and she is responsible. Each of you is a shepherd and each is responsible for his flock."(7)
It is strange the situation of parents who neglect and fail in raising their children, entrusting their upbringing to those who are not skilled or righteous. Neglect... indeed, even if it is temporary. Most people have turned their relationship with their children into one of food, drink, and clothing. Emotional nurturing, skilful guidance, and education are lacking, leading to orphanhood in the world of people. In our Islamic history, there are shining examples from which we derive educational lessons and insights for parents, providing them with guidance and reminders.
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(1) Archive of the Gathering of the People of Hadith (125/334).
(2) Tafsir al-Tabari (12/495).
(3) In the Shades of the Quran (6/3717).
(4) Biographies of Noble Figures (428/8).
(5) The aforementioned reference.
(6) Tuhfat al-Mawdood bi Ahkam al-Mawlood (299).
(7) Sahih al-Bukhari (5200).
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