Islamic Teachings on Ideal Family Life — Page 47
~ 47 ~ influence. When a child is born in due course, adh ā n is called in its right ear and Iq ā mat in the left ear immediately after the birth or soon after, so that the name of God is introduced to the new brain and education starts under the guidance of God, the Creator. A suitable name is given to the baby, and on the seventh day of the birth, ‘Aq ī qah is performed. On the day of the ‘Aq ī qah, the head of the baby is shaved, silver or gold equal to the weight of the hair is given to the poor as charity. An animal for a girl and two animals in case of a boy are slaughtered as sacrifice for the baby and supplications (Du‘ ā ) are offered for the long life and protection of the child. At the age of six, children are encouraged to offer formal prayers, and thus by the age of ten most of them become punctual and well versed in it. If some unfortunate ones do not adapt to offering prayers regularly then remedial measures may be taken to make them realize the importance and obligation of offering prayers diligently. It is one of the obligations of the parents to educate and train children in the right manner. The Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (peace and blessings of All ā h be on him) has said, “A child is born with pure nature. Its parents make it a Jew, a Christian, or an atheist through imparting a particular teaching and providing a particular model through their own conduct. ” (Bukh ā r ī , Kit ā b al-Jan ā ’iz, Kit ā b al-Tafs ī r, Kit ā b al-Qadr. Muslim, Kit ā b al-Qadr) The Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (peace and blessings of All ā h be on him) again says, “A person who has been blessed with one or two daughters, and he educates and brings them up in the right manner, will enter Paradise. ” (Bukh ā r ī. Muslim) Children should be provided religious and secular education to the best standard according to one’s means. However, moral training should be given priority so that they