Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part One)
Introduction
The family, as the most fundamental social institution, plays a pivotal role in the formation, sustainability, and excellence of human societies. No society emerges independently and abstractly; rather, it is built from the bonds of families with common values, norms, and beliefs. The level of growth and progress of a society reflects the strength, health, and efficiency of its families. The stronger the foundation of the family is based on correct principles, authentic, and cultural values, the more coherent, dynamic, and healthy the social structure will be.
The family unit, in both individual and collective dimensions, plays a fundamental role in shaping the personality, identity, and behaviors of individuals, and the health or damage of this institution directly affects the social system. In the Holy Quran, this fact is expressed in a symbolic statement as follows: «وَالْبَلَدُ الطَّيِّبُ يَخْرُجُ نَبَاتُهُ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ وَالَّذِي خَبُثَ لَا يَخْرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدًا كَذَالِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَشْكُرُونَ» Translation: “The pure (and sweet) land, its crops grow by the permission of its Lord; but the impure lands (and the salt marshes) grow nothing but a worthless plant; thus do We make clear Our signs for those who are grateful!” [Al-A’raf: 58]
In view of this Quranic analogy, if we consider the family to be the backbone of society, then marriage will be the backbone of the family. With the realization of marriage, the family structure is formed, providing a suitable platform for the spiritual, emotional, and social development of humans. Future generations, both boys and girls, are raised within this institution and, in turn, fulfill their individual and social duties within the broader context of society.
In the light of the family, a network of kinship, emotional, and social relationships is formed, which helps strengthen social cohesion and solidarity. In such a society, various components act in harmony towards the realization of collective interests and common values. Therefore, the fundamental importance of marriage in establishing a family and its role in the stability of human societies is an obvious and undeniable issue. For this reason, the divine book has explained the various dimensions of this institution in numerous verses.
From the perspective of religious culture, the family is not only a platform for the production of generations; rather, it is a place for deep human and social bonds such as love, commitment, education, and responsibility. In this regard, piety is recognized as a central principle in family and social relations, serving as a guarantor of health, stability, and excellence in society. The Holy Quran states: «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا» Translation: “O mankind! Fear your Lord! He created you all from a single soul and created its mate from its kind, and from them both He spread out many men and women. And fear Allah, who is the One Whose name you all acknowledge, and when you ask one another for something, you mention His name. And be careful of your relatives! Indeed, Allah is ever Watchful over you.” [Al-Nisa: 1]
According to verse 35 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the creation of the family institution aligns with the nature and inherent need of man; even the first man, Prophet Adam (PBUH), was not left without a wife. Rather, marriage was ordained for him at the beginning of creation so that peace, harmony, and growth could be realized in the form of a family: «وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ»Translation: “And We said: O Adam! Dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise, and eat from it freely wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, lest you become of the wrongdoers.” [Al-Baqarah: 35]
Since the divine prophets lived among people and were human, marriage and forming a family were also considered a natural part of their lives. They provided practical and exemplary models in various areas of life, including marriage, fatherhood, and raising children. The Holy Quran states in this regard: «وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً» Translation: “We sent messengers before you and appointed for them wives and offspring.” [Ra’ad: 35]
This verse emphasizes the fact that the prophets, in addition to their mission of being messengers, were also role models in family life. Some of their families were examples of goodness, piety, and divine upbringing, while others faced challenges such as disobedient children or incompatible spouses. The Quran presents these examples with an educational and guiding perspective, because the family is the main center of human civilization and the upbringing of future generations.
The mention of the families of the prophets in the Quran is not just a historical report; it also conveys behavioral patterns, divine traditions, and moral teachings in real examples. Through these verses, we can understand the principles of raising children, the role of parents in transmitting religious values, and the place of prayer, love, and continuous education within the family.
In some cases, the Quran refers to the intra-family differences of specific prophets, peace be upon them, such as the ideological differences between Noah (PBUH) and his son, or the incompatibility of Lot’s wife (peace be upon him). These cases impart important lessons: the bond of faith is superior to the bond of blood, and the only criterion of value in the sight of Allah is faith and righteous deeds. Allah Almighty says: «قَالَ يَا نُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَالِحٍ فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنِّي أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ» Translation: “He said, O Noah, indeed he is not of your family. Indeed, he is an unrighteous person. So do not ask about what you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you to be not of the ignorant.” [Hood: 46]
From the perspective of the Quran, the prophets, peace be upon them, are not only messengers of revelation but also practical guides in family life. They provided a worthy model for humans in playing the roles of husband, father, and mentor, with responsibility, love, and guidance. Therefore, the families of the prophets (peace be upon them) are considered living and instructive examples for human societies; models that are both instructive and guiding in various situations, ranging from success to facing crises.
In this regard, the Holy Quran provides clear examples of family interactions and their impact on the fate of humans. This includes the story of a father who wisely listens to his daughter’s suggestion and, following his action, is blessed with goodness and blessings; or the story of a father who places his son in a position of judgment and governance by his side; this son, under the shadow of proper upbringing, attains such a level of power, a unique kingdom that has not been granted to anyone after him.
Another Quranic teaching is the emphasis on kindness to parents, especially respect for mothers. This is known as the source of individual and social happiness and holds a special place in the divine verses. The Quran, with a comprehensive view of various human conditions, in light of the principle of divine caliphate, has established a solid system of principles, methods, and sources of guidance so that humans can benefit from it on the path of life and achieve wisdom, knowledge, insight, and understanding.
The Sahaba of the Prophet (PBUH) understood this knowledge well, and by promoting and explaining it, they presented a model of servitude and guidance that was pleasing to Allah and will be praised by the believers until the Day of Judgment.
Today, we, the nation of the Prophet (PBUH), need more than ever to look at the divine teachings with a reflective, educational, and instructive gaze. Let us draw inspiration from them, follow the path of the righteous, emulate the works of the righteous, and avoid the path of those whose efforts in this world were wasted while they thought they were doing good deeds. This path will lead us to the pleasure of Allah and the satisfaction of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Continues…
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