Pathway to Paradise — Page 101
101 pleasure. It is no wonder that wherever there is a Muslim gathering, you will always see children with their parents. One of the significant differences between Islam and Christianity is over the nature of children at birth. While Christianity teaches that children are born into sin, Muslims believe that every child is born completely innocent and pure. Thus Islam takes t he responsibility for its spiritual condition away from the newborn child and places it on the parents. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) emphasized that Allah’s reward is great for parents who look after the moral and spiritual nee ds of their children. Mothers are given the primary responsibility for caring for children. Islam provides complete guidance for the upbringing of children in the Holy Qur’an and the hadith. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “Do not curse a child for when you curse, angels add: Let it be like that, and like that it becomes… Address a child politely and courteously, for a child is a great mimic. If you address it rudely, it will return the compliment in kind. Do not lie to a ch ild nor be peevish or arrogant with it. It will certainly imitate you. ” The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) loved children and was a great champion of orphans. The Holy Qur’an says: “And they ask thee concerning the orphans. Say, promotion of their welfare is an act of great goodness. ”