*What to do when a child is born*

Gratitude - Verbal gratitude has been recorded from Prophets such as Ibrahim (Alayhis salam)

الحمد الله الذي وهب لي علي الكبر إسمٰعيل واسحٰق

Praise be to Allah who, despite my old age, blessed me with Ismaill and Ishāq. (Surah Ibrahim: 39) During such occasions Family members should also participate and make Dua for goodness and Barakah

To deprive a child of Islamic education, good upbringing, and leaving them to do what they please when it comes to religious affairs would fall under ‘killing ones child’ - Mufti Shafi Usmani Saheb (Rahimahullah) The crime of killing ones child is a severe sin. In Surah Ma’idah, Allah says

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ مِنْ إِمْلَاقٍ

Do not kill your children due to poverty

The Advice of Imam Ghazali ؒ

The first place of learning for a child is in the lap of the mother. If they are taught properly here, then the effects of this will last for the rest of their lives. Allah forbid, if from childhood bad company is adopted, or Tarbiyyah hasn’t been done correctly, then this would have long term effects upon the child’s life and it would become difficult to rectify such mistakes in the future.

يا ايها الناس كلوا مما في الأرض حلالا طيّبا

O people, eat what is lawful and pure on the earth (Surah Baqarah: 168) Halal nourishment plays a huge role on a child’s upbringing. Halal food creates Nur/good qualities in the heart and uneasiness when it comes to sins, inclination towards Ibaadah, gratitude and result in the Dua’s being accepted.

We should create a good environment at home. This would include setting such guidelines at home which the children have to follow such as refraining from lying at all times, approaching one another with Muhabbah, punctuality in Ibaadah such as salah etc. Take time out for your children, sit with them and try to either directly or indirectly encourage them to adopt Islamic Akhlaaq, Islamic Adaab and Islamic teachings.

The responsibilities of the husband as part of the rights of spouses are:

1) He should not shy away from maintenance in accordance to his ability

2) The father should teach his children the rulings of religion and emphasize good deeds 3) He should allow his spouse to meet her relatives from time to time. He must adopt patience upon misunderstandings. If there is a need to discipline her, then he should adopt a moderate path.

Just as the parents have rights upon the children; the children also have rights upon the parents. They are:

1) To marry them to pious spouses so that they can have good children 2) To nurture them with love in their childhood. There are virtues for this, especially for girls. There is emphasis not to break or constrain their hearts. If there is a need for a wet-nurse, then look for a pious one as the milk affects the character of the child.

Being gifted a child is such a blessing which even prophets have prayed for such as Zakariyyah (Alayhis Salaam). Those who don’t have children, understand their true value. They go to the extent that just to conceive, they would put their Imaan at risk. Along with the blessing, Allah has given us a responsibility which is known by both Muslim and non Muslim alike. Responsibilities such as food, clothing and shelter. In fact, there are some aspects in which unfortunately, we as Muslims are falling behind.

Dua - Lecture of @muftitaqiusmani

If anything happens regardless if it’s significant or insignificant, we should make a habit to ask Allah ﷻ
O Allah, solve this problem for me !
O Allah I am leaving the house protect me from all harms O Allah I’m sat in the car, make me reach the destination with ease
For whatever reason I’m going to the appointed destination, O Allah make that task easy for me.

Gratitude - Lecture by @muftitaqiusmani

We should constantly be grateful for all the favours Allah has blessed us with regardless of whether they’re big or small. Whenever anything good happens, if anything happens according to plan, then one should always resort to being grateful to Allah and one should also place this habit in the children too.

The value of women - lecture for women by Mufti Taqi saheb

Women are the foundations of society. They’re the first brick which is placed to build a successful community. It is in fact these individuals who raise great nations. Many people can see the popularity of Fuqaha, Muhadithin, Sufiyaa’ but very few can see the women who raised them behind the scenes. Imagine the status of the women who raised great individuals such as Imam Abu Hanifah ؒ and Imam Bukhari ؒ

COMPARING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN

[A Must Read Thread] A very common mistake which happens amongst parents is comparing their own child with others. Whether this is comparing them with their relatives who are of the same age, their friends or even their siblings.

HOW TO BRING UP CHILDREN IN THIS DAY AND AGE

[THREAD]

Mufti Ibrahim Desai 1. Treat them kindly

Ḥakīm al-Ummat Mawlānā Ashraf ʿĀlī Thānwī ؒ was once visiting a village a distance away from his hometown Thanabhawan to partake in a meal. His wife was also accompanying him. It was a walk through the woods and they were both alone. When they reached the middle of the jungle the thought crossed his mind that through the sheer grace of Allah I have had the ability to practice upon many sunnats of Rasūlullāh ﷺ. Nevertheless, I haven’t had the opportunity of fulfilling the sunnah of racing with ones wife

THREAD

ان خلق لكم من انفسكم أزواجا لتسكنوا
اليها

That He created for you spouses from among yourselves, that you may find tranquility in them [30:21] Generally people have a large list and a lot of expectations when it comes to what they require in a spouse. Sadly, majority of these expectations are materialistic. When it comes to personal preferences it shouldn’t be based on what other people have or their expectations

THREAD 🔆

‘And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.’ (1) Allah has ordained us to be dutiful to our parents. The father should be given preference to in terms of honour and respect whereas the mother should be given preference to in terms of Khidmah and favours. (2)

الراحمون يرحمهم الرحمن إرحموا من في الأرض يرحمكم من في السماء

_“Rahman has mercy upon those who show mercy. Have mercy upon those who are on the earth and He who is in the sky will have mercy upon you”_ The Prophet ﷺ was a Messenger of mercy and the best of teachers. During the initial stages of his blessed life, He ﷺ was well known for his relationships which were built with love and compassion.

The father of Shamsul A’immah Al Halwaa’i would distribute sweets to the scholars and would thereupon request Dua for his child. Despite the quantity being little, the Ulema would make Dua for his child. When Shamsul A’immah Al Halawi grew older, he became a great Muhaddith and Faqih of his time.

Dr Abdul Hayy Aarifi ؒ had a habit of praising food after he was hosted as a guest. On one occasion, a person decided to invite him to his house. After feeding him, behind the veil he thanked the wife for cooking and praised her food. She immediately started crying So Dr Saheb ؒ sent a person to check if she was okay and they found out that it had been 40 years and not once did her husband thank her for her cooking, show gratitude or praise her food.

*Teaching Your Children Whilst Travelling*

🔅THREAD🔅 In Surah Al-‘Ankabut, Allah says:

‘Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated creation, and then Allah will bring forth (resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter. Verily Allah is Able to do all things.’ [29:20]

*Madrasah holiday becomes a Masjid holiday?* It's very sad to see our Masaajid empty during the holidays. The mature children who are currently on holiday from Madrasah, have also taken a holiday from the Masjid. Parents (mum and dad!) are not doing enough to bring/send their children to the Masjid.