The Rights of children in Islam

 

The rights of children are
not guaranteed by the
actions of their parents,
their communities, or
even their governments.
God Himself guarantees
children’s rights.
Islam establishes a legal framework and embodies a code
of ethics designed to protect the rights of an individual,
including his or her right to live in a secure society. For
children, security is of the utmost importance. In Islam, the
rights of a child begin even before birth, in fact they begin
before conception.

The Qur’an
and the authentic
traditions of Prophet
Muhammad speak
clearly about the
responsibility that
comes with raising
a child.
It is an obligation upon the believers to raise and care for
children by bringing them up as moral, righteous individuals.
Neglecting this duty could potentially lead a person away
from the path of righteousness and away from God.
“Allah instructs you concerning
your children…”

Caring for and raising
children in the proper
manner is a duty on parents
and it is not always easy. In
fact, God reminds us in the
Qur’an that children may
indeed be a great trial for
their parents.“Your wealth and your children are but a trial...”
(Qur’an 64:15)
The triumphs and tribulations of life are a test and children
are no exception. They can bring great joy but sometimes they
also bring great sadness. God in His infinite wisdom never
leaves an individual alone in the face of life’s trials.
Prophet Muhammad said:
“Every one of your (people) is responsible. And every one is responsible
for whatever falls under his responsibility. A man is like a shepherd
of his own family, and he is responsible for them.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)

Children are a trust
given to their parents
and parents are to be
held responsible for
this trust on the Day
of Judgement.
Parents are required to feed, clothe, house, nourish and sustain
their children, and provide them with security and education.
Parents too are responsible for the religious training and
spiritual guidance of their children. The heart of a child must
be filled with faith, peace and tranquillity.
A child’s mind must be entertained with proper guidance,
knowledge and wisdom, a true sense of purpose and moral
and ethical understanding. All of this must be accompanied
with emotional support and encouragement, a feeling of
belonging and being valued.

Seeing the Prophet kissing his grandson, a person named
Alaqr’a Ibn Habis found this behaviour strange and said,
“I have ten children, but I never kissed any of them.”
The Prophet replied,
“The uncompassionate will not be treated mercifully.”
(Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi)
If parents fulfill this responsibility of showing compassion,
they will be free from the consequences of its neglect on the
Day of Judgement. The children will become better citizens
and a pleasure to the eyes of their parents, first in this life
and then in the hereafter.
“And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in
faith – We will join with them their descendants, and We will not
deprive them of anything of their deeds…”
(Qur’an 52:21)
Moreover, Prophet Muhammad said:
“Upon death, man’s deeds will stop except for three deeds, namely: a
continuous charitable fund, endowment or goodwill; knowledge left
for people to benefit from;and a pious righteous and God-fearing child
who continuously prays to Allah, for the souls of his parents.”
(Muslim)
Such a statement reflects the
value of proper child-rearing.
It has an everlasting effect,
even after death.