Do not do Zulm

Stop doing Zulm. And that too with your child whom you claim to love a lot. Just as one’s child has the right to have a good treatment in food, clothes and shelter, he also has the right to a good education, especially the education of Deen. Almost everyone acknowledges that a child must be well nourished, well accommodated and well educated for his well-being. That is why almost everyone focuses on these things. But very few people seem to know that the true well-being of their children lies in the education of Deen because this will assure their eternal salvation. That is why very few people give the education of Deen its due importance.

It is our duty to give our children the education of Deen and to guide them to live this Deen and to make it easier for them to evolve as a good Muslim in our house. Otherwise, it will be the greatest injustice on our part towards these innocent ones. It is not necessary to oppress a stranger to be resurrected as a Zalim on the day of Qiyamah. By preventing our children from evolving as a good Muslim in our home also, we can get the epithet of Zaalim (unjust) on the day of Qiyamah. Thus, we have to remember well that depriving our children of education and the practice of Deen is the greatest Zulm (injustice) towards our own children.

The education of Deen of our children must start from home. Parents must perform Salah, make the Tilaawat-e-Qur’an, do Zikrullah in the house so that the child can get the opportunity to live in an atmosphere of Deen. One must not use vulgar language. One must not listen to music or watch films in the house so that the children do not adopt this bad habit and they may at least know that these things are not right. It will be Zulm on our side if we do not live in an Islamic way in our house, which could allow our children to live in an Islamic environment. Our institutions and Madrassahs will do their work at their levels, but without the collaboration and support of parents, this work will not be done as it should be done. This work must start in the house and it must be done continuously, even if the child no longer attends an Islamic institution. Otherwise, it is possible for the child to learn Islam merely as a subject which has nothing to do with his practical life. Thus, not practicing Islam in the house is a Zulm towards us and our children.

[English version of "Pas faire zouloum" – Al Jamiat – Vol. 4 No.6]