Our Noble Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has guided us in one of his sayings, that: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is accountable for his or her flock.”

Surely, our children are part of our flocks and gifts bestowed upon us from Almighty Allah. They are a trust in our custody. Nurturing and caring for children is an obligation upon the parents. Also, preserving them on the teachings of Islam according to the Quran and the traditions of our beloved Prophet, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is a test from Allah that every parent or guardian shall account for on the Day of Judgment.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) also says: “He who does not show mercy will be shown no mercy (on the Day of Judgement).” Therefore, honoring and showing mercy to our children can only be achieved through providing them with an honorable upbringing, through teaching them the basic Islamic knowledge and ethics. Also keeping them away from sinful acts and all forms of harm in the society that would turn them away from Allah and His prophet (Peace be Upon Him).

The peaceful and complete way to nurturing our children is teaching them the Quran. A Book sent from Allah to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) through Angel Jibril. The Quran is Allah’s greatest gift to mankind. It is the miracle of miracles attesting to the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Quran is a book that gives us a great deal of information and words of advice as to how we should behave and treat others. It advises us to be believe in Allah, to be righteous both in secret and open, and to treat humans and other animals with kindness, mercy, and compassion. Also, the Quran teaches us how to make peace between all living creations on earth.

The Quran is a book of remembrance, reading it alone, you are rewarded for every alphabet recited. It is a guide that helps an individual differentiates between right and wrong. It is a book of glad tidings for the believers and doers of good. Also, it warns the disbelievers and evil doers of repercussions in this world and the Hereafter. It is a book that tells the stories of ancient time and people, teaching us lessons from the ways they had lived their lives and outcome of their conducts.

The Quran is the hope of salvation and will intercedes for us or against us on the Day of Judgement. It is thus pertinent upon us as parents and guardians that we nurture our children with the Divine Words of The Most High. Not only teach them how to read it, but also walk them through its practical guidance and teachings. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), has said: "The best of you is the one who learns the Quran, and teaches it". He also said: "The one that guides to a good deed shall be rewarded has though he has done the good deed, without depriving the original doers of rewards due to them."

In our society today, many parents and guardians are engulfed in the pursuit of the best livelihood for themselves and the children but frequently neglectful of the virtues of Quranic learning on their children and family. In today’s globally connected world, no one has any excuse to present for not learning the Quran regardless of location. If a family is not able to organize Quran classes for a child on their own or have the child attend a physical Islamic school, the availability of various authentic online Islamic and Quran schools are sufficient blessings and gifts from Allah on this present generation to easily acquire Islamic knowledge. We should all make good use of these opportunities.

Therefore, as parents and guardians, nurturing our children with the Quran is not only a thing of great reward, but also a great act that would build a society of people with noble virtues, free from vices and immoralities.

Written by:

Furqan AbdulFattah

Maaher Academy Contributing Author