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but on hearing the cries of a child, I
shorten the prayer because I know
that the cries of the child will incite
its mother’s passions” (Bukhari). We
all know that it is normal for children
to cry, but the Prophet a is showing
us that you should do what you can
to shorten a child’s discomfort and
trouble. In a matter as important and
sacred as salat, the Prophet a chose
to shorten it in order to shorten
the distress of the child and his/her
mother.
Abu Hurayra g narrates that the
Prophet a kissed Hasan ibn `Ali k
while Aqra` ibn Habis Tamimi was
sitting with him. Aqra`said, “I have ten
children and have never kissed one of
them.” The Prophet a said, “Whoever
is not merciful to others will
not be treated mercifully” (Bukhari).
This is another prime example of
the Prophet’s a compassion and
empathy for children. Not only is he
choosing to express his love for his
grandson, Hasan g, but he is encouraging
the Sahaba l around him to do
the same to the children in their lives.
From these and many other hadith,
we learn that it is important to remain
loving and considerate to our children
and the youth in our homes and
communities, especially during a time
as trying as now.
The world continues to change, but
our love for Allah and adherence
to the teachings of the Prophet a
should not. Time, however, is not
on our side, and it is only a matter
of days and nights before our stay in
this world is over. We need to pass on
our love and dedication for Islam to
our children and teenagers, and we
cannot expect them to just learn these
things on their own. It is important
to teach them now, rather than later,
who Allah is and how beautifully and
perfectly He orchestrates the ups and
downs in our lives. The children and
youth of our communities are the
ones who will go forth and spread
the light of Islam in our absence. If
we have not built a love of the Deen
in their hearts during the time we
have with them, we cannot assume
that they will have the lessons and
experiences they need to teach their
own children and continue the cycle
of sharing religious light and knowledge.
This is why it is important now,
more than ever, to remain a source of
support and guidance for our youth
during these confusing and troubling
times.
“But I’m Not a Teacher!”
There are a few common concerns
that some people have when the topic
of reaching out to and teaching a
child is raised. One worry they may
express is thatthey are not teachers
by nature or trade. In their opinion,
their degree and life experiences are
very different from what it takes to
teach and mentor a child, however,
this is not sound reasoning. Children
and young adults learn by modeling.
While lessons involving science
and math require certain degrees
and tools, the lessons pertaining to
character building and becoming a
better Muslim require no such thing.
Of course, in matters of detail and
specifics, one should refrain from
spreading information they are not
sure about. But through your actions,
you can still share your love for Allah
and His commandments on how to
be a good person and a good Muslim.
Regardless of who you are or where
you have been, you have something
you can impart to a child and young
adult in your life.
Another problem that mentors,
parents, and educators of Muslim
children and young adults face is a
lack of receptive attention. It seems
like children just are not interested in
keeping a connection with Allah and
the Prophet a during the times we
are in. They would rather be talking
to their friends or engaging in something
they consider fun. They seem to
be in a world of their own, speaking a
language we do not understand. This
is an actual problem; Muslim children
and teens sometimes lack the motivation
that is essential in keeping their
interest, and we do not know what to
do about it. This is where we get to
the heart of this topic. How can we,
as Muslims and mentors, make it so
that we fulfill our duty by teaching
and caring for our children and teens
when we feel disconnected from
them?
Firstly, we must consider that it is natural
to feel different from the younger
generations in our communities.
Growing up in different times means
that we all have different experiences
and stimuli in our environments that
have shaped us and our opinions.
However, we should remember that
differences in opinions and nature do
not automatically mean a division in
a group of people. Allah has informed
us in the Quran:
“Oh, mankind! Indeed,We have created
you from male and female and made you
peoples and tribes so that you may know
one another. Indeed, the most noble of you
in the sight of Allah is the most righteous
of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and
Acquainted.” (49:13)
We learn from this verse that,
naturally, Allah has created us to be
different from one another. Whether
it is the difference between a man and
a woman, or an elder and a child, we
all have inherent and learned differences.
However, Allah has made it
clear that there is nothing that makes
one better than another, except one’s
good deeds. We may not feel connected
to a younger generation, but
we cannot use that detachment to
justify feeling superior in any way. In
fact, we should use our differences as
a way to strengthen and further bond
our communities. Acting on the belief
that they will learn about the commandments
of Allah and the teachings
of the Prophet a on their own is
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