In Islam, the goal of Iman (faith) is the attainment of Taqwa (Piety), therefore it expected that the piety of a Muslim should be evident in his moral and manner. Thus, in order to inculcate morals and good manners in a child, the Kalmah which is the theoretical declaration of Islamic faith, should be primarily taught to him. Although, its form may not be more than a mere sing-song chant at the stage preceding the age of four, both its moral and religious implication should be firmly impressed in the child’s mind as soon as he grows into puberty.
The Kalmah of Tawheed: “Laailaha illalaha Muhammadu rosulullahi Sallahlahu alayhi wasalam” is the absolute affirmation of the unity of Allah as well as a total negation of other claimant to divinity. It implies that man must be submissive whole-heartedly to the divine authority so that he can see no logic in other norms, values, practices and manners except in that prescribed by Allah and His Prophet. Hence, the adherent of that Kalmah does not only adopt Islamic rituals but also observes the Islamic values and practices as well as the morals as enshrined in the Holy book and the Prophetic tradition.
At puberty, the child must be formally introduced to the Kalmah as en expository phrase, in a way that makes it transcend the level of a mere chant. Every other thing in the world and eternity should be symbolically reduced to empty figure zero and Allah made the absolute One.
Everything that occurs has been pre-destined by Allah. Consequently, no other thing or person is capable of harming or changing the fortune of man except Allah, the Absolute one. Thus, while one prays, one only prays to Allah, while one seeks refuge, one seeks refuge in Allah and while one worships, one worships only Allah.
It may also be helpful to remind a child, when suffering agony or difficulty, of how much suffering the Prophets of Allah bore, even though they were sinless, the best of mankind. In particular, a consistent mention of the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s repeated bereavements as a child and all the agonies he bore in later life may be helpful to the faith growth of a Muslim child.
If a child is old enough, it may then be explained to him that problems are the forge in which characters are enhanced, strengthened and perfected. Helplessness and pain drive man to always call upon Allah; to depend on Him and to trust Him for the outcome. They are the means of securing His pardon and of getting closer to Him.
“The one for who Allah intends good; encounters affliction to get it” (Bukhari)
“When Allah has decreed for a servant a rank which he has not attained by his actions, he afflicts him in his body or his property or his children” (Abu Daud).
To be continued
To be continued
Unedited
Comments
Post a Comment