should we have to read classical texts and books in this regard?
No, this is not needed in the earlystages of their lives because this
requires long hours of attentiveness and hard work, which is difficult
for children.
Later in life, one can do so when their level of comprehension allows
them to grasp what is being read and said to them. Initially, one can
convey what he wants in the form of relating stories of the companions
of the Prophet who gave precedence to their faith and to worshipping
Allaah over living in their homelands and amongst their families and
tribes, and highlight that this was because the companions realized
that the reason why Allaah created us was for the sole purpose of
worshipping Him.
One may resort to other means ofteaching them, such as:
Utilizing Quranic study circles:
In such a case the parent may stop at certain verses which address a
specific aspect of Tawheed and explain it. An example for this is the
verses addressing the story of Prophet 'Eesaa and that he was not
crucified as the Christians claim, but the parent must choose simple
phrases that are within the level of the child's understanding and
comprehension.
Relating stories of the Prophet and his companions and other heroes in Islam:
Children like hearing stories, and thus the parents should take
advantage of this interest in them. One should not simply relate the
story without highlighting certain matters and emphasizing on the
lessons one can extract from these stories.
Commenting on some events:
One can remind the children withthe massacre that took place to the
Muslims in Bosnia and the atrocities that are currently taking place
to the Muslims in Palestine, Iraq and other places and make it clear
for them that their suffering is because of their faith and because
they are Muslims. This will make the child sympathize with his fellow
Muslims.
Exploiting certain situations:
When the child is ill, the parent can instill in him the principle
that Allaah Alone is the One Who can cure and that medicine is buta
means and that it is Allaah Whomade it a cause to cure. Clarify that
Allaah is The Only One who can benefit or cause harm, and He is the
only One to seek refuge in to lift any harm. Parents should exploit
all other situationsto instill different principles of Tawheed.
Setting a good example:
A parent could be a means to instill certain values and basics
ofTawheed through his or her conduct and actions. For example, a
parent may praise a person in front of his children only because he is
a righteous one or a one who fights Jihaad. Likewise, a parent may
dispraise another person because he is a disbeliever.
This clarifies to the children one of the principles of faith, and
thatis love and hatred are both done for the sake of Allaah and not
because so and so person deprived us form a job or money that we
wanted. Parents should be careful in front of their children lest the
children adopt a bad habit, because it is the parents who have the
most effective influence on the children.
Correcting wrong concepts or words:
During the child's daily activities, they may utter or do something
Islamically wrong or contradicting to Tawheed and it is the role of
the parents to correct them. The child may swear by other than Allaah,
and itbecomes mandatory upon the parents to clarify that this is a
form of disbelief and associating with Allaah, and so forth.
A child may hear at school that Santa is a nice man who brings gifts
and nice things, then the parents must explain that this Santa is a
symbol for non-Muslims (namely the Christians) and that he is nothing
but a myth made up by them, and that the only One Who Has the power to
benefit or cause harm is Allaah Alone.
Likewise, if the child sees on TV that a certain character controls
the wind or the rain, the parents must make it clear that this is
association with Allaah and that these are qualities that are
exclusive to Allaah.
These were some suggestions of simple and important means andmethods
through which parents can clarify aspects and principles of Tawheed to
their children.
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
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