Part 22

A child who grows up with this understanding will have the strength and courage to face any and all challenges to his or her eeméan. S/he will know that whatever s/he receives, s/he would never have missed; and that whatever s/he missed, s/he would never have received. S/he will comprehend that if all humans were to gather together to try and prevent something from happening, they would not be able to do so if Allah had already written it. Likewise, if all humans were to gather to make something happen, they would not be able to do so if Allah had not willed it to occur.

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This belief removes any fear or cowardice from the heart and replaces it with bravery and determination. The young person will live a life based upon the principles of Islam because s/he fears Allah and not other humans. S/he will defend Islam because s/he knows that what is destined for him or her is inevitable; s/he will stand up for his or her principles and practices even in the face of severe adversity. A young man who is ostracized for praying at school will not be bothered because he knows that he is on the path of truth and that they cannot harm him unless Allah wills. A young girl who is teased for wearing a hijab refuses to remove it for the same reasons. A person with belief in predestination will not bow down to any power on this earth because s/he knows that everything is in the hands of the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them.

When an event occurs about which they are displeased, they should be reminded that it only happened with Allah’s will. Allah has a plan that humans may not understand and wisdom that they will never possess. Something that may seem very bad and negative to a person may, in essence, be very beneficial for them. Allah (4) says,

Bo C5 led oF 5s head Eh CAKE Tp 4... But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you do

Often, there are lessons in the events that transpire, and these should be discussed openly within the family. For example, sickness is an affliction for humans in this world, but it is beneficial for them in the hereafter since it is a way for forgiveness of sins and purification

"of the soul. When a child or someone close to him or her becomes ill, they can be reminded of this fact. This will assist them in accepting the illness and bearing it with patience in order to obtain the maximal benefits and blessings from Allah. The focus should be on the reward

154 Divine Will and Predestination

of being close to Allah as a result of the affliction. In a real example of

such certainty in Allah’s promise, one child in a Muslim family, in

regard to her two siblings with Down syndrome, often used to say, “These are my doors to paradise.”

Ww soe Be wh Be hy 2 or it €No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah — He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of

The person who is suffering the calamity will know that it is from Allah and accept it and submit to it. Allah will guide his or her heart to certainty and serenity due to his or her belief in the decree of Allah. This will be true no matter how great the calamity. With this understanding, children will also be able to come to terms with the natural disasters that seem to be occurring at an increasing rate in our times.

Verses from the Qur’an may also be used to emphasize the importance of patience. Allah reminds the believers repeatedly that

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they should seek help with patient perseverance:

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€O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.) (Qur’an 2: 153)

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say: Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.) (Quran 2: 155-156)

Allah is with the one who patiently perseveres and He promises a great reward.

It would even be more beneficial for them to learn not only to be patient and forbearing, but to accept and be satisfied with Allah’s decree and judgment. This is one of the highest levels of eeman that a human can attain. True patience is when we do not discriminate between a blessing and a severe trial, but welcome them both as a chance to earn great rewards from Allah, and to have an accepting

. attitude in all situations. Satisfaction comes from belief in predestination and that Allah has planned only the best for His believing slaves. Children should thus be reminded to be pleased with Allah’s decree at all times.

156 Divine Will and Predestination

It is important to make it clear to children that while Allah’s will is present in the universe, humans still have the ability to choose either good or evil, submission or defiance. Allah would not judge us . on the Day of Resurrection without this element of free will. Likewise, Allah will not hold a person accountable unless s/he has the ability to choose. For example, we are not accountable for things over which we have no control (height, place of birth, parents, and so forth). We are also not accountable unless we have the ability to reason and to make decisions. That is the reason that children and people with mental illness or mental retardation are not held responsible for their behaviours. Meeting or seeing someone with mental illness or retardation can offer opportunities for dialogue regarding these issues, particularly with older children and adolescents.

While Allah gave us a certain measure of free will, our will is dependent upon Allah’s will. We cannot will anything, or accomplish it, unless and until Allah wills it! It should be clear to children that Allah’s will is not arbitrary; rather there are wisdom, universal order and laws, and perfection in His plan.

Benefits of believing in predestination

Children should understand the benefits of believing in predestination. Belief in predestination brings peace of heart and mind and relief from grief, sadness and anger. There will only be tranquillity, happiness, certainty, and reassurance. This is due to the realization that everything that happens is according to Allah’s divine decree and that there is a purpose and wisdom for everything that Allah does. There will be no need to despair, fret or give up hope. Other positive effects will transpire in the life of a person as well, such as motivation, confidence, success, and accomplishment. These are obvious goals that we have for our children.

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Belief in predestination will also free the person from any form of shirk'' as s/he appreciates that Allah is the only one worthy of praying to, seeking assistance from, and relying upon. S/he will put his or her complete trust in and reliance upon Allah. All acts of worship will be directed toward the One who has decreed and determined all things. In this manner, tawhid is accurately and entirely fulfilled. The greatest result of belief in Allah’s divine will and decree will be success in the hereafter.

"" Shirk: associating partners with Allah

DEVELOPING AN ISLAMIC PERSONALITY IN CHILDREN

Qe of the obvious purposes and goals of nurturing eeman in children is to develop an Islamic personality within them. An Islamic personality is one that submits completely to the will of Allah, as a servant of Allah. Through the process of submission, the soul becomes purified, which in turn affects the outward and inward characteristics of the individual. The actions, thoughts, and feelings reflect this Islamic personality, which is based upon the teachings in the Qur’an and in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (%). The individual will act, think, and feel in the manner that Allah intended humans to act, think, and feel. Parents play an important role in this process and can either enhance or hinder the development of this Islamic personality. The following section sheds further light on this process and the tools that parents may utilize for the most beneficial outcome.

Chapter 12 Additional Keys to Nurturing Eeman

and Developing an Islamic Personality in Children

A addition to connecting children to the pillars of eeman, there are other strategies that parents may consider to nurture eeman and develop an Islamic personality and identity in their children. It will be helpful first to define a few terms for our purposes.

Personality is the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual from others. It is the totality of an individual’s emotional, behavioural and cognitive characteristics.

Identity is a comprehensive set of beliefs and practices that guide one’s life. It provides a stable sense of self. A critical element in identity and identity formation is the belief system. The ‘aqeedah of Islam imparts the necessary beliefs for a healthy and stable identity. Islamic law guides one’s practices and behaviours.

Begin from an early age

The stories of a few Companions should be helpful in comprehending this point.

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