All the Prophets, and lastly, the holy Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam have stressed that the brief earthly sojourn of a man is a prelude to the everlasting life of hereafter. It, therefore, follows that a greater attention is paid to the betterment of prospects in the life to come and attainment of felicity in the hereafter than to the affairs and interests of this life.
The holy
Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam ,
thus, has enjoined upon the
parents to take care of the religious instruction
of their children from the very
beginning, otherwise they will be called to account
for negligence on the Day of
Judgement.
It is related by Abdullah
Ibne Abbaas radhiyallahu anhumaa that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Have your children utter first of
all, the Kalimah of Laa ilaaha
illallahu ,
i.e., let these be the first words they speak, and exhort them to
utter the same Kalimah of Laa ilaaha
illallahu at the
time of death."
'Bayhaqee
Commentary:
The child begins to receive the impression of what
it sees or hears from the time of its birth. The chanting of
Azaan and Iqaamat in the ears of a newly born infant, also, gives a clear
indication of it.
This Tradition shows that when a child begins to speak, it should be taught to utter the Kalimah of Laa ilaaha illallahu as a first step
towards its education. It, further, tells that when the dying
moment is near, a
person should, again, be exhorted to pronounce the
same Kalimah. Blessed,
indeed, is the man who when utters the first words,
on coming into this world, it is the Kalimah of Laa ilaaha illallahu, and the same Kalimah is on his
lips when he departs.
It is related by Sa'eed Ibne 'Aas radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "No father gave a better gift to his children than good manners and good character."
Tirmizi
It is related by Anas radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Show respect to your children and adorn them with good manners.
Ibne Maajah
Commentary
:It is related by Abdullah Ibne Amr Ibne Aas radhiyallahu anhumaa that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "When your children attain the age of seven, insist upon them to offer Salaat(regularly), and when they are ten years old, punish them if they do not, and have separate beds for them (to sleep on )."
Aboo Daawood
Commentary
:All these, in brief, are the rights of children, both
boys and girls, on their parents, and the parents will have to
render a full account in respect of them on the day of reckoning.