Children are “Amaanah” entrusted to us by Allaah (Subhaanahu wata’ala). Even though He is in charge of their provision and protection, we are regarded as shepherds over them and we will be accountable to Him on the day of judgement. Now, let’s remind ourselves of the things we should be doing in order to protect these children from evils of this world:
1. Choose your “field” wisely and build a strong foundation. Choose your spouse based on deen and good character.
Aisha (ra) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Make a (good) choice for your seed; marry those who are compatible, and marry (your daughters) to them.” (Ibn Majah, al-Hakim…)
2. Don’t forget the du’aa before sexual intimacy. (Check Hisnul Muslim)
3. During pregnancy, do lots and lots of du’aa. Foetuses can hear people’s voices and other sounds from the womb. Let them hear lots of Quran recitation and good words.
4. Learn and observe the etiquette of welcoming a newborn baby: saying the adhan to the right ear, iqamah to the left; tahneek, shaving the hair etc.
5. Benefits of shaving the hair of a newborn:
*It’s sunnah
*it exposes any abnormality on the scalp/skull
*opens up the pores on the scalp for a fresher, stronger hair to grow.
*the smell of the hair can affect the baby’s olfactory system
*the hair may affect the baby’s eyes (if plenty)
*when you give the silver weight equivalent of the hair as sadaqo, you wade off evil from the child and put a smile on someone’s face.
6. Choose a good name.
The Prophet (saw) said: “The most beloved of names to Allaah are ‘Abd-Allaah and ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan”. (Muslim, 1398) There are a number of principles guiding the choice of names in Islaam. Ask the scholars or read more. See also http://islamqa.info/en/7180
7. Seek Allaah’s protection for them against shaytan. (Check hisnul muslim). As soon as they can talk, teach them basic adhkaar: morning, evening, before sleeping, before/after using the bathroom etc.
8. Teach them good etiquette (goes without saying). Saying bismillaah before anything, eating with right hand, sleeping on the right side, avoid talking and playing in filthy places, covering their nakedness, respecting privacy etc.
9. Let them stay indoors once it is magrib. Evil creatures thrive more at this time.
The Prophet (saw) said: “Cover your dishes, close your containers, shut your doors, and keep your children indoors at nightfall, for the Jinn are out and about and stalking.” (Bukhari, 3316)
10. Let the remembrance of Allaah echo from your home constantly. Buy, download and play recitations of the Quran (especially suratul Baqarah), Islamic lectures, adhkaar etc. Schedule time for them to study and memorise the Quran.
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (ra): The Prophet (saw) said, “Do not turn your houses into graves. Verily, Shaytan does not enter the house where Surat Al-Baqarah is recited”. (At-Tirmidhi)
11. As boring as it might sound, don’t hang pictures/paintings of animate creatures in their rooms (and elsewhere in the house!).
Narrated by Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there are statues or images.” (Imam Ahmad; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1961)
May Allaah make our children the coolness of our eyes. Aameen.
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