7 Quranic Principles for Raising Righteous Children
The Holy Quran offers divine and
educational guidance to parents on how to raise their children and instill values and good morals in their hearts.
This guidance serves as a comprehensive strategy that lays sound foundations
for the younger generation, providing a roadmap for those who wish to raise
their children according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Islam has made raising children an
integral part of worship and obedience to Allah Almighty. It is a tremendous
responsibility and one of the frontiers of Islam that must be protected and
strengthened through every possible means. Children represent the hope of
tomorrow and the leaders of the future.
It is wise to follow the example of
the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in raising children so
that we may nurture a righteous, faithful, and strong generation that
contributes to building the Muslim Ummah and advancing its status and progress.
Raising Children in Islam
The following points summarize the
most important Quranic guidelines for raising children:
1. Instill Faith in Allah and
the Oneness of God
Sound upbringing begins with planting
the seeds of faith and belief in the Oneness of Allah in children’s hearts. Allah
Almighty tells us how Luqman advised his son: {And ˹remember˺ when Luqmân said to his son, while advising him, “O my dear son! Never associate ˹anything˺ with Allah ˹in worship˺, for associating ˹others with Him˺ is truly the worst of all wrongs.”} [Luqman 31:13]
2. Encourage Children to
Worship Allah and Do Good Deeds
From an early age, children should be
guided toward acts of worship, obedience to Allah, and righteous deeds. Allah
Almighty says, {As for those who believe and whose
descendants follow them in faith..} [At-Tur 52:21]
3. Teach Children to Pray and
Uphold Good Values
Parents should encourage their
children to establish prayer and remain committed to good values and noble
character. This is the advice Luqman gave his son, as recorded in the Quran: {O my dear son! Establish prayer, encourage what is good
and forbid what is evil, and endure patiently whatever befalls you. Surely this
is a resolve to aspire to.} [Luqman 31:17]
4. Teach Children Humility and
Moderation
Parents should instill humility
and moderation in their children’s hearts, teaching them to treat others
respectfully and avoid arrogance and pride. Allah Almighty says, {And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk
pridefully upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant,
boastful. Be moderate in your pace. And lower your
voice, for the ugliest of all voices is certainly the braying of donkeys.}
[Luqman 31:18–19]
5. Teach Children to Honor and
Respect Their Parents
The Holy Quran emphasizes the
importance of honoring one’s parents, treating them with kindness, showing them respect,
and doing good to them. Allah Almighty says, {We
have commanded people to honour their parents.} [Al-Ahqaf 46:15]
6. Instill a Sense of
Responsibility and Awareness of Allah
The Quran encourages parents to nurture a sense of responsibility in their children and teach them that Allah is aware
of everything they do, no matter how small or hidden it may be. Luqman
explained this profound lesson to his son: {˹Luqmân added,˺ “O my dear son! ˹Even˺ if a deed were the weight of a mustard
seed—be it ˹hidden˺ in a rock or in the heavens or the earth—Allah will bring it forth. Surely Allah is Most Subtle, All-Aware.”}
[Luqman 31:16]
7. Pray for Your Children’s
Righteousness and Guidance
Parents should pray for their children’s righteousness and avoid invoking harm upon them. They should continually ask Allah for their children’s guidance, success, and steadfastness. Describing the supplication of the servants of the Most Compassionate, Allah Almighty says, {Our Lord! Bless us with ˹pious˺ spouses and offspring who will be the joy of our hearts, and make us models for the righteous.} [Al-Furqan 25:74]
-------------------------------------------------------------
