Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 48
48 A child should not be over-indulged. Too much petting or caressing leads to many vices. A child should be assigned responsible jobs suited to its age. This will help create a sense of responsibility in the child. 3. 4 Respect Respect should be taught at a young age and is an important part of Tarbiyat. Simple things, like saying “ please ” and “ thank you ,” and proper manners should be taught and practiced. Children should be taught to respect their parents, elders, siblings, animals, and all family and friends, etc. It is extremely important to teach children respect at a young age because as they grow older, they will continue to have regard and respect for everyone around them. They will grow to be confident and respectful adults without an inflated ego or arrogance. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: “ Respect your children and cultivate in them the best of manners. ” 3. 5 Parents should also treat their children with consideration and love while teaching them, as this will equip the children with dignity, self- respect, and high moral qualities. Respect for others ties into love for Allah. For example, children should be taught that even if they do not want to share a toy, apologize to someone, or make amends, they have to understand that love for and from Allah is the ultimate goal. Sharing or apologizing makes you the bigger person in the eyes of Allah, and will help attain His pleasure and blessings. Humility is an invaluable quality and should be instilled in our children to help make them polite and considerate people. Stories about kindness and respect from the lives of the Holy Prophet (saw) and his Companions (ra) can be relayed to children.