Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 249
249 institution. Each wife occupies an equal position of dignity and honour and there is no discrimination among the children. The permission has undoubtedly been abused, but Islamic society is seeking to eradicate such abuse through legal regulation of the institution. Great stress is laid on the proper upbringing and training of children. As has already been observed, attention must be paid to the child’s proper training long before its birth. The prayer taught by the Prophet, “O Lord, safeguard us against evil and safeguard the issue that Thou mightst bestow upon us against evil,” when husband and wife come together, is a striking reminder of the duty that the parents owe to their children in this respect. The prayers taught in the Quran in this context have the same object. Abraham’s prayer, “My Lord, bestow upon me righteous offspring” (37:101), and Zachariah’s prayer, “My Lord, bestow upon me from Thyself pure offspring” (3:39), illustrates this. So also the prayers, “Our Lord, grant us of our wives and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous” (25:75) and, “My Lord, make my offspring righteous” (46:16). The Prophet has said, “Honour your children,” which again draws attention to their being brought up in ways of righteousness so as to make them worthy of honour. One aspect of the commandment of the Quran, “Do not destroy your