Education by Setting Example
Every parent wants the best for their children. We wish for
them to have a bright and happy future. As Muslim parents we always pray that
our children are pious and have good conduct, behaviour and values according to
the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Education for children is very important in a Muslim family.
It starts when the baby is born and cuddled in his mother’s arms. A mother is
important in a child’s life. A mother is a child’s first madrasah or school for
the child. A loving and patient father and mother are the source of inspiration
for a child. The environment of a home also influences the child’s upbringing.
A learning child repeats whatever the parents do or say especially during their
pre school years. Muslim parents is to pass along what we’ve learned - to teach
our children values which is the nucleus in choreographing their behaviour.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
Every born child is born on the original (innateness), then
his parents make him a Jew, a Christian or Magan. ( Bukhari)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the role model in Muslim life.The
Ever Gloriuos Quran says, “Indeexd you have already had affair example in the
Messenger of Allah”. (AlAhzab:21)
To have our children following the example which the Prophet
(pbuh) gave in the field of worship and morals is a n ambition in every Muslim
family. There are many things that a
Muslim parents can learn from prophet Muhammad especially
his ways and values that can help us in bringing up our child. Allow me to
share with you some of these great values that should be embedded within us as
bases for preparing children religiously, morally, educationally,
psychologically and socially.
1. Ar Rahman ( Loving)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a loving man. His love towards
his ummah was pure. It was a love binded by the strong faith of Islam. As
parents, Allah swt has provided us with love to bring up our children and to
educate them as effectively as we can. A child brought up with love will always
be kind and loving towards others. If you have to correct your child, do it
with a loving heart, objectively and not emotionally.
2. As Sabr (patient)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has attained the climax of patience,
whether in the harshness of the Bedouins or in his treatment of the enemies’
past arrogance after the victory over them. As parents, patience is an
essential ingredience needed in educating our child. As mentined before ,
parenting is like going on a long journey with your child, one that’s filled
with a lot of twists and turns. With patience, parents will be able to through
this journey and their children will step ahead with confidence towards their
future.
3. Al Hilm ( Kindness)
In a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
praised one of his companion Asadji Abdil Qays,
“Indeed you have two attributes and behaviour that Allah swt
likes, that is Al Hilm
( kindness) and Al Anah ( calmness)”.
Parents should always be kind towards their children. Teach
them to respect and be kind to others especially towards the old and the needy.
Teach them to have compassion towards those less fortunate than them and show
them through examples led by you on how to help these people. A child brought
up by criticism will always criticize others and those brought up with kindness
will propagate love and values around them.
4. Al Fathonah ( Wisdom)
The wisdom of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is acknowledged by
both friends and foes. Here is a great example which was recorded by history so
that we may know the wise policy which sprang from his wit and great morals. As
parents we need wisdom to help our children in their growing years. A child’s
potential should be recognized and tapped. His inquisitive mind and questions
thrown to us should be answered appropriately. His faults should be addressed
diplomatically. Teach them to take responsibility for their own action and help
them to overcome the tendency to blame others for his difficulties. Always
speak the truth to them and help them through life’s challenges with commitment
and personal excellence.
5. Al Afwan ( forgiving)
Another great attribute that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
possessed was his willingness to forgive. As parents, having a forgiving heart
is utmost important. Children make mistakes and if we keep reminding them and
keep highlighting those mistakes they will also keep searching for ours. Show
them the values and the tendency to try to accommodate rather than argue.
Nurture their ability to understand how other feel rather than simply reacting
to them.
6. Al Tawaddu’( humbleness)
The contemporaries and Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) have
unanimously said that he was the one who started greeting his Companions, was
attentive to his interlocutor, old or young, and was the last to withdraw his
hand when he shook hands. This humbleness is another attribute of Prohet
Muhammad (pbuh) that should be followed in educating our children. To show who
is the boss and complete authority is not the way shown by our Prophet. In
giving advice to your children, don’t forget also to take advice from them.
Listen! Through listening you may learn many things that can enhance your
wisdom.
Sometimes parents are too proud of their child’s
achievement. Be very careful not to exaggerate his abilities. To let him know
that we a re proud of him is a must; to make him an object of our achievement
is a no! Tell them your expectations but remember to tell them your acceptance
too. Do not let your child grow up with a lot of pressure to fulfill his
parents’ expectation. Teach them to always try their best and be humble when
obtaining the best. Make them understand the limits of body and mind, avoiding
the dangers of extreme. If their hard work failed, teach them to stand up and
try again. For many great leaders took failures and turned them into strength.
6. Quwatus Syaksiah (Virtuous Manners abiding by principle)
The ability to influence and not be easily influenced in any
situation and condition and being able to analyze each situation objectively
and unemotionally are great qualities of leadership shown by our great Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). Parents whoa re easily influenced by their environment, who do
not stick with their Islamic principles, who are jealous of other people’s
achievement will not mature in the process of a child’s upbringing.
A child will have strong principled values if they see that
their parents’ principles are always consistent in any circumstances. They are
not afraid to tell the truth. They dare to attempt difficult things that are
good. They have the strength not to follow the crowd, to say no and mean it and
influence others by it. They are true to convictions and they follow good
impulses, even when they are unpopular or inconvenient.
Those listed above are some great attributes that we should
bring with us in our journey as parents. To me these examples of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) are not easy to follow but with Allah’s help and mercy, I pray
that Allah swt will always give me the strength and wisdom to carry out the
trust and responsibility as parents.
Until then, wabbillahitaufiq, walhidayah.
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