Rasulullah S.A.W ways in educating his children. hadith of the prophet Muhammad S.A.W regarding to parenting

1. SEMESTER 1 2013/2014
CCFM2052K: PARENTING
ASSIGNMENT ON:
SUNNAH IN PARENTING
NAME : MUHAMMAD ‘IZZUDDIN BIN ZAMERY
MATRIC NO. : 1217637
SECTION : 2
LECTURER : RAHMATUL WAHIDA BINTI AHMAD
DATE : 19TH
DECEMBER 2013

2. SUNNAH IN PARENTING
A direct translation from dictionary regarding the meaning of the word ‘parenting’ is
a process of taking care of children until they are old enough to take care of themselves or
simply, is the things that parents do to raise a child. However, the simple-looking word of the
‘parenting’ brings a great and broad meaning in Islam which is various methods are used by
the parents to nurse, raise, nourish, teach and train their children according to the teachings of
Islam until the children become prepared to take responsibilities and behave in complete
submission to Allah. The well-educated and well-taught children will one day, be a great
Muslim and khalifah who are able to empower Islam and the ummah to the greatest and
glorious state that had once been achieved.
Nowadays, there are many cases of social ills, crimes, intoxications and drug abuse
happened and the most disappointed thing is that the problems stated previously are
dominated by our Muslims’ teenagers as well as the underage children. These spreading evils
will not happen if and only if they are well-nourished by their parents with the values of
Islamic teachings since they were an infant. But, the question here is, what are the proper
methods of parenting should be implemented by the parents and who should they take as an
example in raising their children so that they will become a great Muslim as mentioned
above? To answer this question, let us take a look on the Qur’anic verse regarding this matter,
Allah S.W.T mentioned in the Qur’an:
Meaning: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to
follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah
much”; Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 21). In this verse, Allah had mentioned that, in all
aspects of our lives, we have to take our Prophet Muhammad S.A.W as a role model. That is
the wisdom behind the appointment of a human like us as a prophet instead of the other
creature, imagine what if Allah appointed an angel as a prophet, do we able to follow the
angel who has no lust and no tendency to do wrong deed towards Allah as the role model?
Absolutely no. So, in raising a child, the ways that our Prophet S.A.W did in raising his
children are the best ways to follow to. We also must refer to our holy book, the Qur’an in
nourishing the children since there is no other reference which is the best except Al-Qur’an
and As-Sunnah.

3. First of all, on the first moment of the child born in this world, the father should recite
azan and iqamah on the right ear and the left ear of the new born baby respectively. This
practice is controversial since some scholars recommend and some other scholars said that
this is not the practice of our prophet Muhammad S.A.W. According to the hadith of Abu
Rafie R.A, he said, ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) calling the Azan in the ear of
Hasan bin Ali (R.A) when Fatima (R.A) gave birth to him.’ (Recorded by Imam Tirmizi).
This hadith is judged as good and sound by Imam Tirmizi and Imam Abu Daud as well,
Imam Abu Daud remained silent and did not comment further on the originality of this
hadith. However, some scholars had judged this hadith as a weak hadith due to the weakness
of the Sanad. Although the Sanad may have been considered weak by some scholars, they
have nevertheless allowed practice upon it since they are not fabricated. In this regard, Dr.
Wahba Az Zuhaili has written in his book ‘Fiqhul Islami Wa Adilatihi, ‘From among the
Azan which is given for other than prayer (5-time prayer), is the Azan in the right ear of a
new born, just as it is commendable to give the Iqamah in the left ear.’ This practice is also
suggested because it is so beautiful if the first word that the baby heard at the first moment of
his life in this world is a tawhidic word which is Allahuakbar.
The second most important thing to do after the child have born is, grant the baby
with a good name. A good name is so essential since the child’s parents, family and friends
will call him or her with that name. As commonly known, the name that is used to address the
child is considered as a form of prayer (do’a) towards the child and if the meaning of the
name is good, insyaAllah the child will also as good as his or her name but if not, otherwise
may happen. Parents have the responsibility to provide the child with a good name which is
in accordance with Islamic traditions. One of the hadith in this context is the one narrated by
Naafi’ that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allah S.A.W said: “The most beloved of your
names to Allah are ‘Abd-Allah and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan” (Narrated by Muslim, 2132). So, as
long as the name is bearing a good meaning, parents can grant that name to their children
with the hope that their children’s manner (akhlak) is as beautiful as their name.
Next, it is preferable that, the parents should give a positive feedback if their children
show a good behaviour, if possible, grant them with compliments, rewards and show to them
that you really love their good behaviour. Conversely, if the children behave badly, give them
a light punishment. Do not be too harsh to them since they will hold the grudge to the parents
if the parents being too harsh to them. By rewarding their positive and good manners, as well
as punishing their bad attitude, automatically the parents had implemented the concept of
rewards and punishments as an integral part of Islamic 'Aqidah as there are natural
consequences for each of our actions. This same wisdom can be applied to the area of
parenting. The Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said that Allah S.W.T says,
"Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it (by saying
that) he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself
as a full good deed; but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with
Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has
intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good
deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed."
[Bukhari and Muslim]. Allah's mercy can be seen in this Hadith Qudsi and this should be

4. reflected in a parent's tarbiyah as well. Rewards are effective in not only increasing the
occurrence of positive behavior, but also in decreasing negative behavior and increasing a
child's self-esteem. The most effective rewards for children are those that are the easiest to
give: praise, encouragement, hugs, thanks and such.
Other than that, the parents should give to their children an adequate love, mercy and
they also should treat among them fairly as recommended by Islamic teachings. It is an
obligation to the parents to show love and mercy to their children. This will help the children
to build up normal and stable personalities and will also make it easier for children to love
and respect their parents and elders when they grown up. This as well will help children to
easily obey to their parents’ rules and order which benefit them. Seeing the Prophet kissing
his grandson, a person named Alaqr’a Ibn Habis found this behavior strange and said, “I
have ten children, but I have never kissed any of them.” The Prophet S.A.W replied, “The
one who has no compassion will not be treated mercifully” (Bukhari and At-Tirmidhi). Other
than love and mercy, if the parents have more than one child, they have to treat their children
fair and square. Unjust treatment can provoke a feeling of covetousness and loathing in
children that can continue for lives and can also lead to unpleasantness in the child’s heart
toward the parents as well. All children within a family have their own rights to be treated
fairly. This right was referred to by the Prophet S.A.W in a hadith: “Fear Allah and treat
your children fairly” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2447; Muslim, 1623).
Finally, parents must prepare their children with knowledge of both Islamic and
worldly knowledge. It is obliged to give their children appropriate education by sending them
to school, fardh ‘ain class and Qur’anic class. Yet, it is preferable for the parents to teach
their children by themselves how to read the Qur’an and what behind the verses of the Qur’an
because this practice will eventually build a harmonious and good rapport between the
children and the parents. Parents should also educate their children the correct ‘Aqidah of the
oneness of Allah followed by all religious acts of worship that are needed for them to get
close to Allah. This involves teaching children all rights of Allah, which can come by
children fully understanding the concepts of Tawhid. The principles of Tawhid should never
be taken lightly because they mark the boundaries of entering Islam. The parents should teach
their children that Allah loves us and we should also love Him. This will nurture the love of
Allah in the children’s hearts at an early age, which is the essence of our relationship with
Allah.
In conclusion, apart from the method of nourishing children mentioned in this article,
there are many more ways that our Prophet Muhammad S.A.W had taught and said to his
Ummah regarding this matter. There are also many verses in the Qur’an whether directly or
indirectly discuss about this topic. So, it is our job as a parent and a parent-to-be to discover
more knowledge regarding with the best method in nursing our children because to mould a
harmonious and blessed societies and communities, we should start from the early and best
education of our children who will lead our Ummah to the glorious state in the world as well
as in the ‘eye’ of Allah S.W.T.

5. Reference:
1. http://muttaqun.com/childrenframe.html
2. http://www.iqrasense.com/muslim-character/raising-children-in-islam-how-to-
raise-children-into-responsible-muslim-adults.html
3. http://www.darululoomtt.net/calling-adhan-iqamah-newborn/
4. http://sunnahonline.com/library/women-and-islam/413-practical-tips-for-
parenting-children

6. Reference:
1. http://muttaqun.com/childrenframe.html
2. http://www.iqrasense.com/muslim-character/raising-children-in-islam-how-to-
raise-children-into-responsible-muslim-adults.html
3. http://www.darululoomtt.net/calling-adhan-iqamah-newborn/
4. http://sunnahonline.com/library/women-and-islam/413-practical-tips-for-
parenting-children