9:08 Our children's hearts…20:35 The presence of the…
Youth & educationFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 20, 2026.

Raising righteous children starts at home

Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Faheem Dalal

“The presence of the parents is the most important aspect.”

The khateeb, at 20:35

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Raising righteous children is a sacred, lifelong parental duty that begins with intentional tarbiyah at home through gentle presence, Islamic education, adab, and mercy rather than mere strictness or outsourced religious instruction.

The khutbah in 9 steps

  1. Introduction: Children bring joy but raising them requires intention, effort, and resolve
  2. Why raise righteous children: preserving iman across generations and attaining contentment in dunya and akhirah
  3. The sacred obligation: parents are trustees (amana) over soft, receptive hearts and will be asked about their households
  4. Imam Ghazali's practical tarbiyah advice: etiquette, cleanliness, simplicity, Islamic education, guarding media influences, praising good character, discipline when needed, sleep and language discipline, adab in walking
  5. Correcting the harsh-parent stereotype: prophets and companions combined strength with mercy, playfulness, and approachability
  6. The centrality of parental presence: tarbiyah cannot be outsourced to weekend programs; children need daily positive engagement at home
  7. Children also have responsibilities: older kids should listen and not talk back
  8. Limited window of influence: parents have roughly 12, 13 years; let kids make mistakes while standing behind them
  9. Conclusion: be a mirror for your child, take it one moment at a time, and make du'a for righteous offspring
Try this week
Teach children basic adab: eating with the right hand, saying Bismillah, cleanliness, and simple clothing
Provide a sound Islamic education centered on knowing Allah, the messengers, the Quran, and obligations
Guard children's media and stories, keeping them away from premature romantic narratives
Praise and reinforce good character; discipline only when misbehavior goes too far
Establish sleep discipline and avoid overindulgence in luxury or comfort
Teach children measured speech, especially respect toward elders, and adab in walking
Spend daily quality time with children through meals, conversations, park trips, and sports
Let children make mistakes while standing behind them with guidance and support
Make du'a for righteous children and for those without children to be granted offspring or righteous nephews/nieces
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 66:6Used to establish the command for parents to protect themselves and their families from the Fire, framed as active tarbiyah.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Our children's hearts are sponges. Whatever you pour on there, it's going to soak it up.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 9:08
“The presence of the parents is the most important aspect. Their positive presence.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 20:35
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Raising righteous children is a lifelong trust, not a passive task or a passing parenting trend. Children’s hearts are like sponges, so parents should teach faith, manners, discipline, and good character while modeling those qualities at home. Guidance must be paired with mercy: children need boundaries and Islamic education, but they also need play, affection, patience, and room to learn from mistakes. A parent’s presence and example matter deeply, especially beyond formal classes and activities. We can build that relationship one day at a time through meals, conversations, outings, and steady love.

  1. What is one good habit you would like our family to practice together this week?
  2. What kind of family time helps you feel most loved and understood?
  3. How can you show good manners and mercy at home today?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Connecticut140 White Rock Dr, Windsor, CT 06095KhateebFaheem DalalMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Madina Masjid (ICCT)21 khutbahs
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