Family & marriageFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 4, 2026.
Parents must treat children equally
“You may love someone more than the other, but you are responsible for showing that love outwardly.”
In one sentence
Parents must fear Allah and treat their children with absolute outward fairness, because favoritism destroys family bonds in this life and brings divine accountability in the next.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Opening: Allah's innumerable blessings and the special blessing of children as divine gifts
- Gratitude for offspring requires raising them well and being just among them in outward affairs
- The hadith of Numan ibn Bashir: the Prophet refused to witness a gift to one child unless all children received equally
- Inner feelings of love may differ, but showing favoritism is injustice; supporting genuine special needs is not
- Consequences of favoritism: envy, hatred, broken family ties in this life, and accountability before Allah
- Deathbed and Day of Judgment warnings, illustrated by the hadith of the relieved funeral and Umar ibn Abdul Aziz
- Closing exhortation to parents to repent, equalize gifts, and fear Allah regarding their offspring
Try this week
Treat children equally in visible matters such as care, cheerful face, smiles, and gifts
If one child was favored with a gift, either take it back or give the other children the equivalent
Repent from favoritism immediately rather than persisting in it
Support a child's genuine special needs, sickness, debt, religious striving, without counting it as unfairness
Remember that parents will be asked about their children's rights on the Day of Judgment
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 42:49-50Allah creates and apportions male and female children as He wills, establishing children as His gift
Quran 25:74The servants of the Merciful pray for offspring who are the comfort of their eyes
Quran 5:8Command to be just because it is nearer to righteousness and taqwa
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet forbade giving one child a gift without giving the others the like and said he would not witness injustice
Sahih al-BukhariEvery person is a shepherd responsible for his flock, including parents for their children
Sahih MuslimThose who act justly will be seated on pulpits of light near Allah on the Day of Resurrection
Sahih al-BukhariA believer's death relieves him from worldly hardship, while a wicked person's death relieves people and creation from his harm
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Brothers and sisters, indeed, the blessings of Allah upon His servants are numerous, countless, we cannot enumerate them.”
“Beholding children at home, it's like having flowers in the garden. It brings joy to the hearts and gives comfort to the eyes and the soul.”
“you may love someone more than the other but you are responsible for showing that love outwardly even if you love one of them you should treat them equally”
“a father or a mother who is unfair he is hated by his own children those he deprived from the gifts during his lifetime and after his death they will be cursing him”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that children are a precious blessing from Allah and that gratitude includes raising them with care, good manners, and Islamic principles. A central lesson was the duty to treat children fairly in outward matters such as attention, smiles, care, and gifts. Parents may have different feelings or may need to support a child with special needs, but they should avoid favoritism without a valid reason. Unfair treatment can create envy, hatred, disobedience, and broken family ties. Parents were urged to repent, correct past unfairness, and remember that Allah will hold them accountable for how they cared for their families.
- What is one way we can make everyone in our family feel equally valued?
- How can we support someone who has a special need without making others feel forgotten?
- What does being responsible for one another look like in our home?
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