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Tarbiyah—The upbringing of the child according to Islamic law

Tue, 2010-08-17 12:17 — jason
Byline Author: Alima Anneisha Haniff-Mohammed

Article Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

All children, regardless of the religious persuasion of their parents, need love, respect, discipline and routine in their lives, among other things.

All children, regardless of the religious persuasion of their parents, need love, respect, discipline and routine in their lives, among other things.

In the glorious Quran and the teachings of our beloved Prophet of Allah, Muhammed (PBUH: May the peace and Blessings of Allah be upon
him,) is a veritable rule book to tarbiyah— the proper raising of the child. It begins with understanding very clearly the goals of child rearing:
• To bring up an individual capable and equipped to correctly worship Allah.
• To bring up an individual who will be of good character, able to benefit his family, the community and society as a whole.
• multifaceted child rearing practice

Many are the facets of tarbiyah in the muslim society. It begins with compassion. For we are told that the Prophet said, “He is not one of us who
does not show compassion to our little ones and recognise the rights of our elders.” It is recorded that whenever the daughter of the Prophet
would enter the room in his presence, he would stand to welcome and kiss her and offer her his seat, and she did the same for him. We are
told to give a child a good name; teach him to pray salaat from the age of seven; separate their beds; teach them to seek permission before
entering the rooms of their parents at night; and when a child does a wrong thing do three things—ask him why he did it, instruct him what is
the correct thing, and pray to Allah for his guidance.

The benefits of a routine

In the life of the muslim child, routine plays a great part towards his tarbiyah. For example: he wakes for the morning ritual prayer or salaat
(ritual prayer compulsory for the muslim at five specific times of the day) before the day breaks, and the boys of a particular age would
accompany their father’s to the mosque for the prayer.

He starts his day early with a sound meal, beginning and ending with the name of Allah, and heads off to school being sure to say his travelling
dua (Praising Allah, begging of His mercy and His bounties.) If he is at an Islamic school, the day begins with dua. Then before lunch and after
he says dua, and he observes the afternoon salaat together with his classmates and teachers. He leaves school with dua, and again says his
travelling dua on his way home.

At home he prepares and goes off to the daily Islamic classes (maktab), or does home islamic classes (taalim) with his family. He does chores,
home-work, exercises, and prays his late afternoon, evening and night salaat. He then heads off to bed for the night, exhausted and happy.
The great thing about this routine is that he is surrounded by his parents and siblings (if he has any), and there is social interaction and
teaching throughout. The parents constantly remind him of the Power of Allah in his life and the many bounties and favours he receives. He is
taught to be patient through difficulties, and thankful always as all things, good and bad are from Allah. He is taught respect for parents and
siblings, honesty, fairplay etc.

This is just one of the many possible routines you may find in a muslim home. What is common to all, is the constant remembrance and
worship of Allah through all it’s aspects. The greatest benefit of it, being that such closeness to Allah in one’s thoughts and actions keeps sinful
thoughts and actions further away. Idle hands are the devil’s plaything, so keep busy in that which is wholesome and pure. The most important
success factor to tarbiyah, however, is the example of the parent. Hence the parent must be knowledgeable in correct Islamic practices. The
Prophet is reported to have said “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” Keep on learning, practicing, and teaching your children.
It is an activity which can only bring good to all.

Life

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