Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 13
Chapter 1: The Role of Ahmadi Muslim Mothers 13 ‘ Our Lord, grant us of our wives and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous. 1. 10 Mothers should inculcate the habit of getting up for Tahajjud (voluntary prayers offered before dawn) to offer prayers for their children. In addition, they should follow the practice of the Holy Prophet (saw) and recite the last three Surahs (chapters) of the Holy Qur ’ an and blow over themselves and their children morning and night. Giving Sadaqat (alms) frequently also helps to invoke Allah Almighty ’ s protection in safeguarding children from many ills. The Promised Messiah (as) said concerning Tarbiyat of children: “ I wish that instead of punishing children, parents would have recourse to prayer, and should make it a habit to supplicate earnestly for their children; for the supplications of parents on behalf of their children meet with special acceptance. ” 1. 11 ADVICE FROM THE PROMISED MESSIAH (AS) AND HIS KHULAFA Advice from the Promised Messiah (as) “ True guidance and training belongs to God Almighty. To pursue a matter persistently and to insist upon it unduly and to rebuke children upon every matter indicates that such a person imagines himself to be the source of guidance and believes that he will bring children to order by pursuing his own method. This kind of attitude savors of a hidden assumption of association with the Divine and should be avoided by the members of our community. I pray for my children and require them to follow a broad set of rules of behavior and no more. Beyond this I put my full