Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 71
Chapter 4: Elementary School Years 71 perform religious obligations such as reading the Qur ’ an, observing the daily Salat , attending classes and meetings at the mosque , and being together as a family. Making Friends / Keeping Company with the Righteous The Holy Qur ’ an says: َ مَعَ الصّٰدقیۡن اللّٰہَ وَ کوۡنوۡا اتَقوا الَذیۡنَ اّٰمَنوا یٰۤاَیھَا “ O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful. ” 4. 5 During the elementary school years, children are spending up to six hours every day outside the house and they are fostering relationships at school. Some of these friends will remain their friends for many years to come. It is important that parents are aware of who their children are socializing with and what their backgrounds are. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) has given parents many guidelines regarding raising children. He said: “ Parents should choose well-behaved children as associates for their children. The parents too will benefit from this arrangement. They will come to know the parents of other children whom they have chosen as associates for their child. It will lead to a kind of inter-parent cooperation. Also, when they choose playmates for their child, they will watch over their behavior. ” 4. 6 It is recommended that parents should meet with the parents of the other children. This will help in understanding the family background of their children ’ s friends and enable them to encourage friendships with children who have similar values while subtly discouraging