Forty Gems of Beauty — Page 75
75 The other portion of this Hadith, the one relating to [showing] respect to children, is of all the religious codes the distinctive feature of Islam; for, no other religion of the world has appreciated the point that without showing a proper measure of respect to children, high moral qualities cannot be cultivated among them. Some foolish parents, in spite of loving their children, treat them evidently in such a low and vulgar manner, frequently indulging in abusive language that their feelings of dignity, self-respect and self-estimation slowly freeze into death. This injunction of our master (May my soul be dedicated to his service) is worthy of being written in gold letters. It enjoins that “children should be treated with consideration,” to equip them with dignity, self-respect, and high moral qualities. If only they recognised the value of this wise teaching!