CHILDREN– LEADERS OF TOMORROW

Laiq Ahmed Atif, Ahmadiyya Missionary Malta

Children are the future of a nation. Today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

So if we want a better future, a stronger country, and a prosperous world then it

is very important to give our children an appropriate and proper upbringing.

Every society and every religion attaches great importance to raising children.

Islam as a religion greatly emphasizes this subject and states that children

should be given the best possible upbringing. However, Islam speaks on this

subject in a unique way and it focuses on actions and practical examples, not

just words, because ‘actions speak louder than words’.

When we are building our future generation we have to ‘walk the walk’,

meaning that we should set forth excellent examples for our children to follow

and we must live practical lives. This is so our children can observe wonderful

examples at their homes and can build their character in a genuine and practical

manner based on the core Islamic values.

The primary teachers of children are their parents from whom they learn and

Imitate from. Every action of the parents affects the children; what they eat, what

they wear, how they treat each other, how they address each other, how they

drive, how they walk on the street, if they smoke, if they use bad language, if

they are spiritual, punctual in observing prayers, paying charity and helping

others and so on.

We often see children adopt their parents’ profession in their practical lives. The

famous sayings: ‘A tree is known by its fruit’; and ‘The apple doesn’t fall far

from the tree’ are phrases that are extremely pertinent for children who display

qualities or talents that are similar to those of their parents. This fact shows how

important it is for parents to demonstrate high moral values.

Therefore, Islam teaches that in order to achieve the best relationship between

you and your children, it is fundamental that the relationship between you and

your spouse should also be excellent. Parental behaviour should lead to the

creation of the ideal environment for a healthy family life. The relationship

between a man and his wife should be like that of true, sincere and loyal friends;

both of them should behave in an exemplary manner at home.

It is one of the obligations of parents to educate and train their children in the

right manner. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

“A child is born with pure nature. Its parents make it a Jew, a Christian, or an atheist through imparting a particular teaching and providing a particular model through their own conduct.”

It is also important to understand how we should raise our children and how we

should treat them. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him,

continuously stated that one should treat not only their own children, but the

entire younger generation with love, compassion and respect. Furthermore, he

said:

“Always be kind to your children.”

The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, has emphasized the

importance of respect in the treatment of children as an essential part of their

healthy upbringing, because respect gives them confidence and increases them

in dignity. He said:

“Respect your children and cultivate good manners in them.”

Undoubtedly, it is a fact that the parents play an important role to make or break

their children’s character and personality.

I would like to conclude this article with a beautiful prayer that Almighty Allah has taught us in the Holy Quran (25:75): “Our Lord, grant us of our wives and children the delight

of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous.” Ameen