Advice on Raising Children

A sister of ours from Sudan sent a long letter containing twelve varied questions. One of them says: I have four children, the eldest of whom is seven years old. My wish before Allah granted me children was that if I had offspring, I would try my best to teach them matters of religion and prepare an Islamic environment for them. Indeed, I have been teaching them, and some of them memorize much of the Qur'an and hadiths; they do not know stories other than the stories of the Prophets. I have not introduced them to any modern devices such as recorders, video, or the like. However, they are living in a completely strange environment, and they have begun to reject everything other than what is in our home or everything other than what they hear from us. They have begun to live in a state of duality. She seeks guidance. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: You have done well in teaching and guiding them. You, their father, their older siblings, and other relatives must continue to do so. You must watch over them so that the society around them does not harm them. You are on the right path, and their father is on the right path in teaching, guiding, advising, and providing Islamic upbringing. However, they must mix with those around them. So, you must be diligent in looking after them, guiding them to good, and warning them of the falsehood they may hear or see around them so that they are not affected by it. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) is the One who grants success and guidance. It is only required of you to do what is within your capacity: [Surat al-Taghabun:16]. You are on the right path, if Allah wills, and Allah will make your efforts beneficial. Yes.