Early Childhood: The Best Period to Build Faith

The early years— we do not exaggerate if we say the early moments— of
the child's life are the best and most important periods to build up
the aspects of faith in the child and instill the creed of Tawheed
(Islamic Monotheism) and knowing Allaah The Almighty in him.
Therefore, the Prophet, instructed Muslims to let the words of the
Athaan (call to prayer) be the first thing heard by the newborn. These
words carry the meanings of pure Tawheed , worshipping Allaah The
Almighty aloneand disassociating from any other worshipped deity.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said,
The first words to be heard by the child are the words of the heavenly
call which include the Highness and Majesty of the Lord and the
testimony of faith which is the first step to embracing Islam. So,
this is considered like teaching the child the slogan of Islam when he
comes to life, as if he is asked to pronounce the testimony of faith.
It is also possible that the effect of the Athaan will reach the heart
of the child even if he does not realize it. Also, there is another
benefit that when the devil— who awaits the birth of the child— hears
the words of the Athaan, he runs away. So, he hears wordsthat weaken
and enrage him since the first moment of his being attached to the
child.
There is another meaning in saying the words of the Athaan in the ear
of the newborn baby that it is a call to Allaah, His religion and
worshipping Him that precedes the call of the devil as the pure Fitrah
(sound innate disposition) precedes thechanges that the devil makes
therein. There are many other rationales.
Due to the importance of this period in the child's life in terms of
learning the bases of faith; the Prophet, , ordered Muslims to make "
La ilaaha illa Allaah (None is truly worthy of worship but Allaah)"
the first words to be taught to thechild. Ibn 'Abbaas said that the
Prophet, , said: "Make the first wordto be heard by your children to
speak: La ilaaha illa Allaah (None is truly worthy of worship but
Allaah)."
The secret behind this injunction is to let the word of Tawheed and
thetestimony of embracing Islam be the first thing to be heard by the
child, thefirst thing to be uttered and the first words to be taught
to them. The Prophet , ordered parents and mentors to teach the
children the acts of worship when they are at the age of seven. 'Amr
ibn Al-'Aas said that the Prophet, said: "Command your children to
perform prayer when they are seven years old, and beatthem for (not
offering) it when they are ten, and separate them in beds."
On basis of this ruling, wedraw an analogy to train the child to fast
some days if he could bear fasting. This also applies to other acts of
worship.
Importance of attaching children to the Noble Quran from a tender age:
This should take place at a very young age once the child starts
speaking. This is the golden period for memorization, learning and
maximizing the psychological impact of what the child learns and
memorizes.
Therefore, the Prophet, , advised parents to maintain this. 'Ali, may
Allaah be Pleased with him, said that the Prophet, , said: "Train your
children to acquire three characteristics: loveof your Prophet, love
for the Prophet's household and reciting the Quran, for the bearers of
the Quran will be in the shade of the Throne of Allaah on the Day when
there will be no shade except His, with His Prophets and His chosen
ones." [At-Tabaraani]
The Companions of the Prophet, , pursued thispath. Sa'd ibn Abi
Waqqaas said: "We used to teach our children the battles of the
Messenger of Allaah just as we used to teach them the Surahs
(Chapters) of the Quran." Their keenness on teaching their children
the Quran came first; theyused it as a means to givean indication of
their intense interest and care.Al-Ghazaali advised Muslims — in his
book of Ihyaa' 'Uloom Ad-Deen — to teach children the Quran, the
Hadeeth (narrations) and the stories of the righteous people. In
Al-Muqadimmah, Ibn Khuldoon stressed theimportance of making children
learn and memorize the Quran. He pointed out that Quran is the basis
of education because it leads to establishing the sound creed and
implanting faith.
The Quran builds up the child's character:
Teaching the child the Quran effectively helps him build up the
components of faith in his personality. It also inculcates supreme
values in him and straightforward behavior. It forms his personality
and way of thinking in a way that is characterized by purity and
originality. It makes him eloquent and a sound-speaking person. It
increases his knowledge and strengthens his memory. There is a report
enhancing this meaning that states the following, "Whoever recites the
Quran while he is a believing youth, the Quran will be mixed with his
flesh and blood and Allaah The Almighty will make him with the noble
and dutiful messenger-angels."
Memorizing, learning and being attached to the Quran make the soulsof
children at peace, tranquil and connected to the Creator . Hence, they
will enjoy the company of Allaah The Almighty who will guard them from
the harm, evil and domination of the devils. Consequently, the Quran
will become indeed mixed with their flesh and blood, by virtueof
reciting its verses with their parents or teachers.Accordingly, they
would not tolerate abandoning their Mus-hafs (copies of the Quran) or
recorded tapes of the Quran. Even in times of illness and fever, their
tongues will utter what is instilled in their fresh hearts including
the words of Allaah The Almighty and their great attachment toit.

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