The Obligation of Attending to the Faith-Based Upbringing of Children
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Question:
The questioner says: Some fathers and mothers are concerned with the food of their sons and daughters, but they neglect their proper faith-based upbringing, which is based on loving Allah and His Messenger, reading the Qur'an, and being well-mannered according to the etiquettes of Islam. What is your word, O Shaykh?
Answer:
It is obligatory for every believing man and woman to care for the Islamic etiquettes and the Islamic diet. As for physical food, that is the concern of animals. It is obligatory that the care be directed toward guiding children to good, directing them to the causes of salvation, teaching them noble morals and good conduct, encouraging them to read the Noble Qur'an, benefit from the Qur'an and reflect upon it, and encouraging them to keep the company of the righteous and sit with the righteous. This is the most important thing. Rectifying their religion is more important than rectifying their bodies. Food relates to the well-being of the bodies, while teaching them what benefits them in this world and the Hereafter, directing them to good, and guiding them to the causes of salvation relates to their salvation in this world and the Hereafter, and to the well-being of the hearts, and this is the most important.
Therefore, it is obligatory for all relatives to be concerned with what brings well-being to the hearts and uprightness upon the Shari'ah of Allah. They should teach their children, orphans, and relatives what benefits them in this world and the Hereafter, and what pleases Allah with them. They should encourage them to learn the Noble Qur'an, care for the Qur'an and memorize it, recite it frequently, and attend gatherings of dhikr and circles of knowledge. They should also advise them to keep the company of the righteous and stay away from the company of the wicked. All these matters relate to the well-being of the hearts, the well-being of the religion, and the well-being of the Hereafter.
As for what relates to physical food, clothing, and the like, this is a secondary matter. There is no harm in caring for it, but it is a secondary matter. The matter of religion is more important and greater. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence.
The questioner says: Some fathers and mothers are concerned with the food of their sons and daughters, but they neglect their proper faith-based upbringing, which is based on loving Allah and His Messenger, reading the Qur'an, and being well-mannered according to the etiquettes of Islam. What is your word, O Shaykh?
Answer:
It is obligatory for every believing man and woman to care for the Islamic etiquettes and the Islamic diet. As for physical food, that is the concern of animals. It is obligatory that the care be directed toward guiding children to good, directing them to the causes of salvation, teaching them noble morals and good conduct, encouraging them to read the Noble Qur'an, benefit from the Qur'an and reflect upon it, and encouraging them to keep the company of the righteous and sit with the righteous. This is the most important thing. Rectifying their religion is more important than rectifying their bodies. Food relates to the well-being of the bodies, while teaching them what benefits them in this world and the Hereafter, directing them to good, and guiding them to the causes of salvation relates to their salvation in this world and the Hereafter, and to the well-being of the hearts, and this is the most important.
Therefore, it is obligatory for all relatives to be concerned with what brings well-being to the hearts and uprightness upon the Shari'ah of Allah. They should teach their children, orphans, and relatives what benefits them in this world and the Hereafter, and what pleases Allah with them. They should encourage them to learn the Noble Qur'an, care for the Qur'an and memorize it, recite it frequently, and attend gatherings of dhikr and circles of knowledge. They should also advise them to keep the company of the righteous and stay away from the company of the wicked. All these matters relate to the well-being of the hearts, the well-being of the religion, and the well-being of the Hereafter.
As for what relates to physical food, clothing, and the like, this is a secondary matter. There is no harm in caring for it, but it is a secondary matter. The matter of religion is more important and greater. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.