Muslim Children
The ultimate objective of any Muslim parent, regardless of wherever they live, should be helping their kids become successful in this life and hereafter (attaining paradise). For this, we need to do a lot of preparation ourselves because Muslim children mostly follow whatever their parents do. To make them better Muslims, therefore, we need to gather a lot of Islamic knowledge and bring them in practice on daily basis. Becoming a good Muslim does not only help us in pleasing Allah and getting access to heaven but it also helps us achieving success in our worldly lives.
Good hygiene habits, discipline, sense of responsibility taught by Islam can immensely help children in their daily lives. It will help them a healthy life style which will positively reflect on their studies and eventually their career. The confidence and faith in Allah can bring mental peace to in their lives. But the question is how to ensure proper upbringing of Muslim children in a non-Islamic society.
Parents Relationship with Kids
In addition to ‘strong parent child bond’ and ‘parents having strong religious background’, being a part of strong religiously charged Muslim community remains essential for the upbringing of Muslim children in a non-Islamic society. In an Islamic society, to up-bring children on Islamic principles, having a close relationship and keenly religious parents should suffice as it naturally passes on to children and there are no societal constraints. Being a part of a religiously active Muslim community will provide the parents in the West a chance to steer away from the influential societal pressure and to handle it properly. Some of the additional tips for Upbringing Muslim Children in a Non-Islamic Society are listed below:
– From the moment a child starts gaining the understanding of this world, parents should start inculcating Islamic practices in their lives. A child learns and adopts things faster as compared to an adult. Once a person learns the habits of Islam, it is more likely that they will continue practicing them throughout their lives.
– You can make children learn more by telling them Islamic stories, sharing Islamic instances with them and using the real world examples. Try using visuals whenever possible as children learn more by them.
– Another important tip for upbringing Muslim children in a non-Islamic society is by making your child aware of Allah and his powers. Talk to them about HIS greatness and let them know that he is the ultimately source of help and guidance.
– Develop the love of Prophet (PBUH) in your child by telling them his struggles and contribution to mankind and Islam. This way out of the love of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a child will start following Sunnah.
– Instead of focusing on how to make your children read Quran, focus on how to make them understand Quran as well. Let them learn and understand Arabic in bits and pieces on daily basis.
– Concentrate on their morals and manners. Make them learn good manners. Pay attention to their behavior and all the related aspects. Make sure that you practice whatever you preach them so that they take it seriously.
– Develop the sense of empathy in them. Let them take care of their family members, relatives, neighbors etc. Make them understand the importance of helping people and even animals out whenever they are in need.
Non-Islamic Society
For upbringing Muslim children in a non-Islamic society, it is important to keep them physically fit. Unfit children will become lazy which will hold them back and out of laziness they won’t be able to practice a lot of Islamic teachings (Such as: Making them say Salah will become difficult). So ensure that they take part in sports and eat healthy. Make them pray (say Salah) on time and regularly (Specially Fajar). This is another useful way of upbringing Muslim children in a non-Islamic society.
It will help them become disciplined. This will only happen when all the members of the family wake up for Salah and pray together. Try to instill this habit in your children at a very early age. Let them know that not following the popular belief doesn’t make them any less than others. Motivate them with Islamic preaching and lessons and let them strive for excellence in everything.
For upbringing Muslim children in a non-Islamic society, it is important for the parents to keep the Islamic principles and rules in mind and try not to impose religion on them. The more politely and interestingly the parents will teach their kids about Islam, the easier it will become for the kids to adopt the Islamic lifestyle.
