ALLAH ENJOINS JUSTICE, KINDNESS & CHARITY. Are We Good Role-Models?

 

Allah Enjoins Justice, Kindness

And Charity. Are We Good

Role-Models?

(M. Javed Naseem)

‘Give the kinsman his due, and the

needy, and the wayfarer; and squander

not (your wealth) in wantonness.’

(al-Quran 17:26)

We are not alone in this world. Others, who are sharing this planet with us, have rights over us, and the same way we have rights over them, though there is a limit to those rights. In Islam it’s called ‘Haqooq-ul-Ibaad’ – or the rights of the people. The first in the order of preference is the family and the relatives, then the neighbours, friends and the community, etc. We are supposed to take care of each other. We have to treat them all with kindness and mercy, because that's the Command of Allah the Almighty. Everything we do (good or bad), will come back to us one day. This world is 'tit for that' – you get whatever you give!

‘Lo, Allah enjoins justice and

kindness, and giving to kinsfolk.’

(al-Quran 16:90)

Islam emphasizes living as a community where we care for otherts and share the good things of life. Family life is very important in Islamic culture. In the family, parents have lots of responsibilities towards their children. The two basic and most important things are upbringing and education. Children have a natural instinct of learning from their parents. They copy their parents. You must have heard the comparison ‘like father, like son’ at some point in your life. In most of the cases, it’s very much true. The children are very good observers and they copy their parents or the people around them. This is a normal and natural thing for them. We laugh when we see a 3-year old boy walking in his father’s big shoes in the house, and we are filled with affection for the child. This is the instinct I am talking about.

Kids copy almost everything and if the parents are not careful in what they are doing in front of their kids, they can destroy their children’s lives by being bad role-models. Home is the first school before schooling and parents are the first teachers. It is at home where the foundation of a child’s life is laid. A good foundation makes a building solid and secure. It is called ‘Tarbiah’ or ‘Tarbiat’ or upbringing.

‘Lo, the noblest of you, in the sight

of Allah, is the best in conduct.

Lo, Allah is Knower, Aware.’

(al-Quran 49:12)

Tarbiah (upbringing) is an obligation in Islam. All parent are REQUIRED to impart this training to their children, male or female. This is the duty of every Muslim parent. They are responsible for their children’s education and good upbringing. Education and Tarbiah of children is compulsory in Islam. This teaches our children how to talk to the elders, how to respect others, how to behave in

different situations and how to treat other human beings; not to mention how to perform religious duties. It is at home that they learn how to react to certain actions of others.

‘… Show kindness unto parents, and unto

near kindred, and orphans, and the needy,

and unto the neighbour who is of kin

(unto you) and the neighbour who is

not of kin, and the fellow-traveller and

the wayfarer and the slaves whom

your right hands possess…’

(al-Quran 4:36)

When we grow old with the age, we become frail and irritating. Living with the young families of our sons and daughters becomes difficult and complicated. When old people get touchy, the young get tired of their frailty or disability. The trembling old people are often messy; they drop or even break things. And if by misfortune, the old people get sick, they annoy almost everybody around them with their irritating attitude. Sometimes, they don't even realize that they are being irritating to others. That's the old age. And that is a big test for all people around them. It demands a lot of patience and tolerance, especially from the sons-in-law and the daughters-in-law. We are supposed to treat our old parents and relatives with kindness, compassion and a lot of patience because they showed us the same attitude when we were little and irritating. Here's what Allah the Most Merciful commands us to do in such a situation:

‘Your Lord has decreed that you worship

none save Him, and (that you show)

kindness to parents. If one of them or both

of them attain to old age with you, say not

“Fie” unto them nor repulse them, but speak

unto them a gracious word. And lower unto

them the wing of submission through mercy,

and say: My Lord, have mercy on them

both as they did care for me

when I was little.’

(al-Quran 17:23-24)

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen, and their minds always process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parents realize that every day the building-blocks are being laid for the child’s future. It all begins at home. So try to maintain a happy and comfortable home!

Parents don't have an easy job. Bringing up children with care, mercy and compassion is very difficult. The responsibility to convert young people into honest, sincere, hardworking and responsible adults is the biggest challenge of the parents' life. Not all parents succeed in this long, tough and crucial campaign. We need God's blessings in this mission and the blessings are bestowed upon us only when we fear Allah and obey His commands.

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