The Devotion of Life — Page 426
426 neglected. Some parents even said that their child was so far gone from righteousness that they offered him to the Jama’at with the expectation that he would be straightened out by the Jama’at. In olden times it was said about such children that they would make good policemen. The Jama’at has a righteous spirit, and there was no thought of making them policemen when these children were turned over to the Jama'at for ‘waqf’. The idea of making a spoilt child a policeman is laughable, but the offering of such a child for ‘waqf’ is a sad reflection on the parents who could not offer a righteous child for the service of God, but offered one whose behaviour they themselves could not correct. ” Parents should keep a diligent eye on ‘Waqifeen’ “We have ample time now for the fresh group of children who are expected and if we are remiss in their training, we will be answerable before God. It cannot then be said that this was coincidental. Parents thus should keep a diligent eye on these children and pay special attention to training matters that I shall outline. If they feel that a child, because of his nature, is not appropriate for ‘waqf’ , they should honestly inform the Jama’at that although their intention was righteous unfortunately the child has certain faults. If the Jama’at still wants this child, he will be offered. Otherwise the ‘waqf’ should be cancelled. In this manner the training of future ‘Waqifeen-e-Nau’ has to be undertaken very seriously. ”