Islamic Teachings on Ideal Family Life — Page 45
~ 45 ~ (Tirmidh ī ) If the parents really want their children to grow up into members of a righteous society, they should remember that mutual relationships between husbands and wives are going to play an important role in the making or breaking of the character of their children. The Holy Qur’ ā n teaches Those who hear not false witness, and when they pass by anything vain, they pass by with dignity; and those who, when they are reminded of the Signs of their Lord, fall not down thereat deaf and blind; and those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us of our wives and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous. (Ch. 25: Al-Furq ā n :73-75) This prayer possesses a unique charm and is filled with profound wisdom. Both partners in marriage are taught to pray for each other and their children that God may always provide them deep satisfaction and happiness from one another as well as from the children and to make their children the forerunners and leaders of a God-fearing, righteous generation. It only takes one to apply this teaching to oneself to fully realize the significance of this verse. When you desire something vaguely, it may not influence your conduct significantly, but when you pray for it earnestly then your conduct is bound to be influenced by that prayer. To illustrate this further, there are many amongst us who desire to be truthful but seldom is this desire translated into practice. Those who earnestly pray to God that He should make them become truthful, are influenced far more in their conduct by their prayer than those merely wishing for something vague. A genuine effort is made in molding