How To Care, Develop and Protect Children by Islamic Rules

Compiled by Mahnaz Salari

In Islam childhood is considered with hope and aspiration, it is viewed as something to look forward to, seek and long for. When it is achieved, the fruit reaped is nothing but happiness of the soul, delight of the heart and elation of the chest. According to the Quran, progeny is a gift from the Almighty God to His faithful servants. “Unto Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills; or He mingles them, males and females, and He makes barren whom He wills. Lo! He is the Knower, Powerful.” [Al-Shura (Council): Verses 49-50] Hence, it is not surprising that Islamic Shariah (law) pays utmost attention to securing all that is needed to guarantee a wholesome psychological climate for the rearing of children, a climate wherein they learn about the world and formulate their customs and norms. There are rights for children in Islam Shariah:

• A child’s right to a healthy start in life

Islamic Shariah was pioneering in providing a set of precepts to guarantee sincerity in implementation. It attends to childhood with care long before birth. It urges the mother to protect her fetus and do all she can to prevent a termination of pregnancy. Islam gives a pregnant woman the right not to fast during the month of Ramadan if she fears her fetus might be harmed by fasting.

• A child’s right to healthcare and proper nutrition

According to Islamic rules and medical science, health care for children should begin with conception. The fetus requires special nutrition with a high content of protein, vitamins and minerals. These nutrients can only be acquired via the conceiving mother. Protection from hereditary diseases: As attention is paid to the moral aspect it should also be paid to health.

• Antenatal care

 A pregnant woman must make sure she does not expose herself to radiation or chemicals that may damage some of the cells or tissues of the fetus or lead to the occurrence of physical deformities. She must not use any medication during pregnancy without expert medical guidance. The use of some medication, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy, may cause deformities in the fetus or the malfunction of some of its organs.

• Childbirth in a health facility and assisted by a health provider

 It is also the child’s right that its parents spare no effort to prepare appropriate and wholesome conditions for its birth.

• Gender equity

 No matter whether a child is born male or female, there should be no discrimination in the reception prepared for the newly born as they are ushered into life. The Quran chastised those Arabs who celebrated the birth of male children but expressed sadness and dissatisfaction when females were born. The Almighty Allah deplores such attitudes in the following Quranic verses: “When if one of them receives tidings of the birth of a female, his face remains darkened, and he is wroth inwardly. He hides himself from the folk because of the evil of that whereof he has had tidings, (asking himself): Shall he keep it in contempt, or bury it beneath the sand. Verily evil is their judgment.” [Al-Nahl (The Bees); verses 58-59].

• Psychological care for children:

Children should receive pleasant names so not to cause embarrassment, psychological disturbance, attract ridicule or arouse astonishment. It is preferable that names given to newly born children should be acceptable and not weird or objectionable.

• A child’s right for prosperity and inheritance:

It is well-known that Islam affirms the right of the newly born to owning property and to inheritance. The Almighty Allah said: “Allah directs you as regards to your children’s (inheritance). To the male, a portion equal to that of two females.” [Al-Nisaa (The Women); verse 11].

• Islam and personal hygiene:

 Islam’s attention to cleanliness stems from the fact that it is the key to protection from diseases. To secure protection from intestinal diseases and to prevent the spread of infections Islam demands individuals wash their hands before eating. And because dirt collected underneath long nails provides a medium for the spread of disease, Islam urges Muslims to clip their nails.

• Islam and environment

 Islam takes great care for the environment with all its components, which the Creator has created. This is evident from many verses and Prophetic traditions, which command mankind not to make mischief on Earth or abuse its environment. The Almighty Allah said: “Do good just as Allah has done you good and do not pursue mischief on the Earth, for Allah loves not those who make mischief.” [Al-Qasas; verse 77]

• Life skills:

Children have the right to be trained by their parents to perform the rituals of his or her religion. The importance of early training is that it allows religious practice to become an easy and acceptable habit that children will maintain and preserve. Parents should endeavor to be role models for their children in terms of adhering to best conduct. They also have the obligation to provide their children with love, kindness and mercy and to avoid harshness and cruelty.

• A child’s right to education and acquisition of talents

Once children reach the age of comprehension and learning, parents must provide knowledge that may develop their offspring’s intellectual capabilities. Children need such guidance so they can recognize the various aspects of life surrounding them and know how to deal with and approach them. Such knowledge must help children understand that they are part of a collective society and that they cannot live isolated from others.