The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 131)
Educational Lessons from the Story of Prophet Musa (AS) (Continued…)
Lesson Twenty-Four: Family Suffering Under Corrupt Systems and Its Peace and Security Under Islam
The families of Bani Israel, under the rule of Pharaoh, were deprived of security, peace, and stability, because the Pharaonic system threatened even the family itself and the very source of its comfort and tranquility. The persecution of innocent children reached its most horrific stage when Pharaoh ordered the killing of the sons of Bani Israil, leaving families to mourn the loss of their children. They endured suffering and grief whose effects could remain with them for the rest of their lives.
This is a characteristic of oppressive and despotic systems in every age: such systems neither value the grief of a bereaved mother nor fear the consequences of the disintegration of families nor consider the suffering of families that lose their breadwinner, whose members become separated, and whose children are left without care and protection.
In contrast, Islam has protected the family through a comprehensive set of legal, moral, and social teachings and has provided the conditions for a dignified life, peace, stability, and cohesion. One clear manifestation of Islam’s mercy toward the family is its special concern for the emotional bond between mother and child and its effort to prevent their separation.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) compared the extent of Allah’s mercy toward His servants with a mother’s love for her child. Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) narrated that a group of captives was brought before the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). Among them was a woman searching for her child. Whenever she found a child, she would hold him close to herself and nurse him. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked his companions, “Do you think this woman could ever throw her child into the fire?” They replied: “No, not as long as she has the ability to prevent it.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then said, [1] “الَلَّهُ أَرْحَمُ بِعِبَادِهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ بِوَلَدِهَا.” Translation: “Allah is certainly more merciful to His servants than this woman is to her child.”
This narration, in addition to demonstrating the vastness of Allah’s mercy, also illustrates the importance of the emotional bond between mother and child, a bond that Islam’s educational system recognizes and respects.
For this reason, the rulings concerning captives also emphasize preventing the separation of family members. The narrations state that separating a mother from her child is prohibited. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, [2] “مَنْ فَرَّقَ بَيْنَ وَالِدَةٍ وَوَلَدِهَا، فَرَّقَ اللهُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ أَحِبَّتِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.” Translation: “Whoever separates a mother from her child, Allah will separate him from those whom he loves on the Day of Resurrection.”
It is also narrated from Ali (RA) that he acquired a female slave together with her child and intended to separate the two. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prevented him from doing so and said, “Sell them together or keep them together.” [3]
Another narration states that a woman among the captives complained to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) that her child had been sold. Upon hearing her grief, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) ordered that her child be returned to her. [4]
Abdullah ibn Masud (RA) also relates that when a group of captives was brought to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), he would, as far as possible, avoid separating families from one another and would keep members of the same family together. [5]
These narrations demonstrate that Islam’s approach to the family is not merely legal or material; rather, the emotional and psychological bonds among family members are also given serious consideration. From this perspective, preserving the relationship between mother and child, father and child, and other family members is part of the mercy and justice of Islam.
Islamic mercy even extends beyond human relationships to encompass animals and other creatures. Abdullah ibn Masud (RA) said, “We were traveling with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and along the way we saw a bird with two chicks. “We took the chicks, and the bird came and spread its wings over the ground out of distress. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, [6] “مَنْ فَجَعَ هَذِهِ بِوَلَدِهَا؟ رُدُّوا وَلَدَهَا إِلَيْهَا.” Translation: “Who has distressed this bird by taking away its young? Return its young to her.”
From this collection of teachings, we can understand that preserving the family and protecting the emotional bonds among its members is an important manifestation of mercy within the educational and social system of Islam. In contrast, corrupt and despotic systems undermine the natural and educational foundations of the family by threatening family security, killing children, separating family members, and creating fear and insecurity.
Therefore, the story of Prophet Musa (AS) and the history of Bani Israel, alongside its emphasis on resisting oppression, also teaches us the importance of family security and the necessity of protecting mothers, children, and family relationships. A family can properly fulfill its educational mission only when it enjoys security, peace, and support, because raising a righteous generation is extremely difficult in an environment filled with fear, violence, and family breakdown.
