Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 62
62 Children should be trained to offer Salat in congregation. In my view, there is no bigger enemy of a child than those parents who do not inculcate the habit of offering congregational Salat in their children. While a grown-up who fails to offer congregational Salat is a hypocrite, parents who don ’ t inculcate this habit in their children are their murderers. It ’ s impossible for a child to sustain irreparable moral damage if parents help them develop a habit of offering Salat in congregation. ” 4. 3 As children grow older, it is important to teach and encourage them to pray for themselves. Show interest and inquire frequently about their school day and assist them in praying for things relevant to their lives, such as doing well in school. Parents should pray to Allah that He accepts children ’ s supplications so that they are able to have a strong connection with Him and start believing in the power of prayer. It is helpful to keep in mind that it is more effective to encourage children to participate in the daily Salat with gentleness and love, rather than with anger or harshness. It is also better to teach children more about Allah ’ s forgiveness and not about His wrath. The love of Allah should be instilled in children so that they understand that Allah is their best friend and that they can always turn to Him. With regards to prayer, the Promised Messiah (as) has said: “ I wish that, instead of punishing children, parents would have recourse to Salat , 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. ” 4. 4 Hazrat Amman Jan (ra) also used to advise that a huge effort should be made on the Tarbiyat of the oldest child. She said that if a parent