Islamic Teachings on Ideal Family Life — Page 46
~ 46 ~ one’s behavior for the better. A person would be acting very oddly indeed after such a prayer if he treats his wife and children in a manner inconsistent with the prayer. Turning exclusively to the younger generation and their rights and obligations, the Holy Qur’ ā n admonishes: O ye who believe! Fear All ā h and let every soul look to what it sends forth for the morrow. And fear All ā h; verily All ā h is Well-Aware of what you do. (Ch. 59: Al- Ḥ ashr : 19) The Qur’ ā n warns the parents that if they fail to discharge the responsibility due to their offspring and leave behind a generation, which is not beyond censure in its conduct then the parents will be held answerable before God. Again, the parents are warned not to murder their own children in the sense that the parents become instrumental and responsible in some way in destroying their character. (Ch. 6: Al-An‘ ā m: 152) Not only one’s own children but the younger generation as a whole must be treated with love, kindness and respect is the strong word of advice given by the Holy Prophet of Isl ā m, may peace and blessings of All ā h be upon him: ‘Always be kind to your children’. (Ibn Majah: Bk: Adab; Ch: Birrul-W ā lid)” (Isl ā m’s Response to Contemporary Issues, London, 1992, pp. 91-95) Isl ā m attaches great importance to the upbringing of children and advises the newlywed couple to pray to God for the protection of the would-be born child from Satan and its