Part 23

Young ‘Abdullah was attentive to what the Prophet (;8) said and did in all situations. He listened and watched with an enthusiastic heart and committed the Prophet’s words to memory. He became one of the most learned Companions of the Prophet (#%), memorizing 1,660 hadiths, many of which are recorded in sahih al-Bukhdri and sahih Muslim.> ‘Abdullah's life was to be devoted to the pursuit of learning and knowledge. He was also an ardent worshipper and a warrior, taking part in many battles.*

“Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (.#) was the son of Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwam, one of the ten Companions who were given the glad tidings of paradise. His mother was Asma’ bint Abu Bakr, one of the first Muslims. ‘Abdullah was the firstborn of those who migrated from Makkah to Madinah. From the time that he was a small child, he

* Quoted in “Biographies of the Companions”, USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim

+ Texts, taken from Alim Software

? Darussalam, Child Companions Around the Prophet, pp. 115-123

3 The two most well-documented collections of authentic hadiths, compiled by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim; sheeh: a grade of hadith: sound or authentic

* Darussalam, Child Companions Around the Prophet, pp. 119-123

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was close to the Messenger of Allah. When he was born, the Prophet (2) rubbed a bit of mashed date in his mouth for him, invoked blessings on him, and named him ‘Abdullah. ‘Abdullah lived for long periods in the house of the Prophet (3%). This allowed him to live close to the Prophet (%) and to absorb knowledge directly from the Messenger himself.>

The lesson from these stories of the two young ‘Abdullahs is that we should begin to nurture knowledge, eeman and piety in our

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children from a very young age. As mentioned previously, children should know about Allah from the moment of birth. As young children, time should be spent in memorization of the Qur’an and hadiths. It is interesting to note that psychological research has found that the ability to memorize information is strongest during the childhood years. As time goes on, this ability diminishes due to the processes of brain development and aging. The same is true of language acquisition, which is much easier during the childhood years.

The information that a child Jearns and memorizes during the formative years is likely to remain in the memory storage. Memorization of the Qur’an is especially important since it has positive effects upon the child’s ability to memorize other material. Children who consistently memorize the Qur’an in childhood generally excel in other subjects as well. Young ‘Abdullah ibn “Abbas not only excelled in memorization of the Qur’an and hadiths, but he was a scholar in all respects. Parents should learn from this example and take advantage of the time that they have with their children.

The other issue to consider related to teaching children from a young age is that the main tasks of parenting take place during the early, formative years. Puberty and the age of responsibility emerge relatively early, sometimes as young as eight or nine years of age. By this time, children should have the necessary and basic tools to manage, function, and make decisions as a responsible Muslim. Their behaviour should be commensurate with Islamic Law, for the angels will begin recording their deeds, both good and bad, to be presented on the Day of Judgment. For this reason, parents must begin early and prepare their children for this important time. The responsibility of parenting never really comes to an end, but the greatest effort should be exerted in the early phases. If this job is done well, the later years will run more smoothly.

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Teach children to understand all things from the perspective of Islam

A person with an Islamic personality and strong eeman will look at all issues from the perspective of Islam. Islam becomes their criteria for right and wrong in all matters. One of the names of the Quran is the Criterion. It is the criterion between right and wrong, and for this reason it is the main source of knowledge for Muslims. It provides guidance for many areas of life and is further elaborated upon by the Hadith of the Prophet (2).

Children should realize that all issues and situations should be viewed through the ‘lens’ of Islam, with the Qur’an and the Sunnah as the guides. Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life that covers every aspect: spiritual, familial, social, economic, and political; as such, it can be applied to the various challenges and problems that one may face in life. A child, for example, may encounter a particularly difficult situation in school such as bullying or teasing by classmates. S/he should be encouraged to search in the Qur’an and the Hadith to find the most appropriate Islamic solution to his or her problem. What does the Qur’an say about dealing with others who act in a harmful way? What would the Prophet (342) do in the same circumstances? Are there similar stories in the seerah to indicate how the Prophet (%) may have coped with such tests? Through this process they not only learn about the Islamic approach to life, but they also gain a deeper understanding of the Qur’an and the Hadith as well.

Teach importance of obedience to parents

The term that means ‘obey’ and related concepts appear many times in the Qur’an. Allah reminds us countless times to obey Him and to obey His Messenger. Allah (4%) declares,

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then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged,

and upon you is that with which you have been charged...)

He () also says,

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So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your souls. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul — it is those who will be the

The importance of obedience can be seen in the rewards that are + granted to those who submit and obey. Allah (#) says,

535 SALLE Ay at eH 4 il dA iy

166 Additional keys to nurturing eemén

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These are the limits [set by] Allah, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the

What a beautiful recompense and a fitting abode: the gardens of paradise. Allah (#) also says,

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger — those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favour of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.) (Quran 4: 69)

What more could one ask for? This is the promise of Allah.

Obedience in the family unit

We often forget that a condition somewhat comparable to that of paradise can also be attained in this life. Of course it will not be exactly the same, but there will be some similarities. In particular, we can achieve the serenity and joyfulness that is promised to the believers, as well as peacefulness, in realizing that Allah knows what is best for us. Within the family unit, synchrony and harmony can be achieved and love and respect can flourish. Again, this can only come about by following what Allah has ordained for optimal functioning of the family. Obedience is a major component of this formula.

For the family to function properly a wife needs to obey her husband and the children need to obey their parents (unless the husband or parents order them to be disobedient to Allah). When they

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do this, they are ultimately obeying Allah and receiving the greatest of rewards. Allah (#) says,

Children need to be taught this concept from a very young age, and the interactions between the mother and father provide ideal examples. The obedience of children to their parents is actually the training ground for eventual submission to Allah. In many ways they go hand in hand, but effective parenting provides the tangible examples that fit with the mind of a young child and ease the transition into responsibility. Notably, children must comprehend that obedience to parents is at the same time submission and obedience to Allah.