So Said The Promised Messiah (as) — Page 49
BRINGING UP CHILDREN As for me, beating of the children is an act which can be termed as a sort of Shirk (associating others with. God). It actually means that the ill-tempered person makes himself a partner of God in giving guidance and sustaiiiing the creat- ures. When a quick tempered person punishes someone, he gets so much excited that he turns himself into an enemy and administers punishment many times more than the offence calls for. Only such a person has the right to punish the. child to a certain extent, as maintains self respect to control himself and is forbearing and dignified; such a one can scold the child. But he who is quick tempered, undignified and lacking in wisdom has no right that he should be entrusted the duty of upbringing and training the children. I wish that the people could pray for the children just as they are anxious to punish them. They should make it part and parcel of their duties that they pray for the children fervently; the prayers of the parents for their children are particularly. accepted by God. There are certain prayers which are a daily routine with me. (1) I pray for myself that God may let me do the kind of things that would manifest His honour and Grandeur and He may make me fully resigned to His will. (2) I pray for my wife that He may grant me children through her, who may prove to be the coolness of my eyes 49