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1) Establishing Strength and Honor in our Muslim Children
Unstable modern character and luxurious life have greatly affected our Muslim children. Thus, instilling strength, honor and responsibility in their personality is a serious problem in raising children. This task may require a great deal of patience and wisdom. Some Islamic solutions to this problem are listed below with the intent to aid the Muslim parents in the upbringing of their children in an Islamic environment.
Takniyyah: Using the kunya or patronymics in addressing children. Takniyah is to entitle or call a young boy "Abu Foolaan" ("Father of so-and-so) or a young girl "Umm Foolaan" ("Mother of so-and-so").
Giving Kunyas will cause the child feel more responsible - develop maturity and feel above normal childishness.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) would give kunyas to young children, as Anas (radhi allahu anhu) said: "The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was the best of people in attitude and manners. I had a brother whom people used to call Abu 'Umayr. I think he was just past the age of weaning, and whenever he came along the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) would say to him: "O Abu 'Umayr, what did the nughayr do?" [The nughayr was a small bird] [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
Taking children to mature gatherings and letting them sit with grown-ups. This will increase their understanding and wisdom. They will try to imitate the adults and spend less time on games and entertainment.
The Sahabah (radhi allahu anhu) used to bring their children to the gathering of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and make them sit along with the grown-ups. One of the stories that describe this was narrated by Mu'aawiyah ibn Qurrah from his father, that: "The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to sit with a group of his Companions. One man had his little son with him; he would bring him from behind and make him sit in front of him…" [saheeh by al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa'iz]
Narrating the heroic deeds of earlier generations, like Islamic battles and Muslim victories
This will encourage the child to be brave and be courageous, which is an important aspect of he Muslim's strong and honorable character. Al-Zubayr ibn al-'Awwam (radhi allahu anhu) had two children, one of whom was present at some of the battles, and the other used to play with the old battle scars on his father's shoulder. This was reported by 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, who said that the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to al-Zubayr on the day of Yarmook: "Will you go and attack, and we will go with you?" He said: "If I attacked, you would be lying." They said, "No, we will do (as we promised)."
So he launched an attack (against the Romans), penetrating their ranks and passing straight through, but no one was with him. Then he turned around and came back, and the Romans seized the reins of his horse and wounded him twice in the shoulder. Between these two new wounds was a scar from a wound he had received at Badr. 'Urwah said, "When I was little, I used to play by putting my fingers in those scars." 'Urwah said, "'Abdullaah ibn al-Zubayr was with him on that day. He was ten years old. He (al-Zubayr) put him on a horse and entrusted him to the care of another man."
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3678)]
Commenting on this hadeeth, Ibn Hajr (rahimahullah) said: "Az-Zubayr felt that his son 'Abdullaah was brave and chivalrous, so he put him on a horse, but he feared that he might attempt to do more than he was able, so he put another man with him so that he could feel that he was safe from the attacks of the Romans..."
Teaching good manners - Children should be taught good manners and morals from early childhood as mentioned in the Qur'aan and the Ahaadeeth of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). For example, the manners of conduct in public, speaking in public, walking on the road, greeting etc.
Teaching manly sports - such as archery, swimming and horse riding.
Giving them the praise and respect they deserve in front of others. This issue is greatly emphasized in the narration of Sahl ibn Sa'd (radhi allahu anhu) who said: "The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was brought a cup and he drank from it. There was a boy, the youngest of all the people, on his right and some elders on his left. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "O young boy, will you allow me to give this to these elders?" The boy said: "I will not give away my share of your blessings to anyone, O Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)!" So the Messenger of Allah handed the cup to him." [Bukhaaree ]
Avoid humiliating them - especially in front of others. Never belittle their ideas, and encourage them to take part in Islamic activities.
Consult them and ask for their opinions
Responsibilities- Give them responsibilities in accordance with their age and abilities
Clothe them in a modest way and protect them from inappropriate clothing (like silk clothes for boys and preserve the Islamic dress code for girls), hairstyles and movements.
Avoid extravagance, luxury, laziness and idleness. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said: "Get used to a rough life, for luxury does not last forever."
Avoid entertainment and pastime gatherings, singing, music and other such activities that result in wastage of time and efforts, because these go against strength, honor and sincerity.
From As-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter
Adapted from answers given by Sheikh Muhammad S. al-Munajjad
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2) Does the repentance of one who is suffering from a terminal disease count?
A man committed many sins. He is suffering from a severe illness and has tried treatment to no avail. The doctors have told him that they have no cure for his problem. Now he regrets his past and wants to repent. Does his repentance count now that he is suffering from this terminal illness from which he has no hope of a cure?
Praise be to Allaah.
Yes, the repentance of a man who does not hope to live for long does count. This applies whether he has an incurable illness such as cancer; or he has been sentenced to death, such as a man who has been brought out for execution, even if the sword is being raised above his head; or a married man who has committed adultery and been sentenced to stoning, even if the stones have already been gathered. His repentance is valid, because Allaah accepts the repentance of a man so long as the death rattle has not yet reached his throat. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to whom Allaah will forgive, and Allaah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.” [al-Nisa’ 4:17]
The meaning of the phrase “and repent soon afterwards” means that they repent before they die.
In the following aayah, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: ‘Now I repent;’…”[al-Nisa’ 4:18]
There are five essential conditions for repentance: sincerity, regret for what one has done, giving it up immediately, determination not to repeat it in the future, and repenting during the time when repentance will be accepted, i.e., before one dies or before the sun rises in the west.
Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 53/73.
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