Raising children begins with righteous family choices
“We're choosing the first teacher and the primary aid in our children's future upbringing.”
Successful Islamic upbringing begins before birth and depends on righteous family choices, sound faith, supplication, protection, justice, mercy, good companionship, and consistent parental example, while ultimate guidance remains with Allah.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Establishes righteous child-rearing as a set of means whose ultimate result belongs to Allah.
- Urges choosing a pious spouse and having a clear purpose for marriage.
- Emphasizes teaching tawhid, sound belief, and reliance on Allah rather than worldly rewards.
- Encourages abundant supplication while warning parents not to pray against their children.
- Recommends protective adhkar and meaningful names connected to righteousness.
- Calls for justice among siblings and avoidance of favoritism.
- Advocates gentleness, mercy, and righteous friendships.
In the khateeb's words
“When we choose a partner based on their religious commitment to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, we're choosing the first teacher and the primary aid in our children's future upbringing.”
“Crucially, my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, parents must avoid praying against their children and making du'a against their children, especially during moments of anger.”
“Maintaining justice and avoiding favoritism is essential to prevent hatred and jealousy and animosity amongst the siblings.”
“If that parent commands them to do good, the parent needs to be the first to rush toward that good.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that raising righteous children begins before they are born. Parents should choose spouses who are devoted to Allah, build faith in the home, make sincere dua, and protect their children through remembrance. They should choose meaningful names, treat siblings fairly, and respond with gentleness and mercy. Children also need good friends and parents who practice what they teach. These efforts are important means, but the final result belongs to Allah.
- What is one way a parent can show fairness between siblings?
- How can we connect a good deed to Allah instead of only to a reward?
- What is something adults teach that children also learn by watching them?
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