The Significant Impact of Proper Parenting on Children’s Future
The family serves as the cornerstone of child development, where the educational role of family members can have either a positive or negative influence on a child’s future. A child is born with innate qualities, and it is the responsibility of the parents to guide them towards the right path. Consequently, they play a crucial role in shaping whether their child becomes a productive member of society or not.
Effective parenting equips children for a virtuous and dignified life, enabling them to reach both spiritual and physical human perfection. The following highlights some of the key effects of Islamic upbringing on children’s future:
Instilling God’s Oversight in Their Hearts
Proper Islamic education nurtures a sense of God’s omnipresence in every word, deed, and state of the individual. This divine consciousness becomes a constant companion in all aspects of life, fostering a generation that is devoted to God and proud of their faith.
Additionally, this upbringing prepares individuals to form a strong Islamic community that upholds steadfast beliefs and sound religious values while steering clear of moral decay, atheism, and hatred. This aligns with the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who explained the essence of excellence in worship as being able to worship God as though you see Him, knowing that even if you do not see Him, He sees you. This idea reinforces the importance of God’s oversight in the hearts of children.
Preserving Innate Nature and Elevating Natural Instincts
Healthy upbringing focuses on guiding individuals to manage their baser instincts through religious, ethical, and health-conscious guidelines, ensuring that their natural desires are fulfilled in permissible ways. For instance, Islam encourages maintaining personal integrity through practices such as lowering the gaze or marriage, as referenced in the Quran: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts; that is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what they do” (Quran 24:30).
Through this guidance, children attain the core objectives of Islam and adhere to its principles, ensuring the protection of their humanity in accordance with what God has permitted, and steering them towards righteous behavior that guarantees success in both this life and the Hereafter.
Achieving Personal and Social Harmony
Individuals are raised to prioritize all aspects of life, including spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social dimensions, thereby maintaining a delicate balance among them without neglecting any one of these areas, as permitted by Islamic beliefs and values.
This upbringing enables the development of harmonious social connections grounded in love, kindness, and tolerance, free from animosity and arrogance that can disrupt social cohesion. This is in accordance with God’s command: “The hereafter is for those who do not seek exaltation upon the earth or corruption, and the outcome is for the righteous” (Quran 28:83).
Such nurturing leads to contentment, happiness, and a fulfilling life, as individuals find joy in their work, family relations, and interactions with others, experiencing a sense of security and stability in most situations. They do not fear the future or fret over claiming their rightful share of worldly resources, as their primary concern is striving for excellence in both this life and the next, with the ultimate goal being entry into Paradise.
Balancing Tradition and Modernity
Individuals seek to navigate life’s challenges while firmly holding on to their religious beliefs, principles, and timeless traditions. They reject extremism and embrace openness while adhering to the Islamic value of distinguishing oneself through piety, as directed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab; neither for a red-skinned person over a black, nor for a black over a red except by piety.”
Moreover, they advocate for renewal that respects the evolving demands of contemporary society, provided it aligns with fundamental values and does not distort them for personal desires or modern temptations. Thus, they successfully reconcile their commitment to their faith with the demands of the era in which they live.
Foundations of Effective Parenting
Proper upbringing is based on a set of principles that parents must consider in order to achieve the desired educational objectives. The following outlines these essential elements:
- Comprehensive and integrative education.
- Realistic yet idealistic education.
- Practical behavioral upbringing.
- Individual and social development combined.
- Education of human conscience.
- Promotion of innate human nature and motivation.
- Guidance towards good values.
- Continuous education.
- Gradual education.
- Innovative conservation measures.
- Global humanistic education.