Author: Shaykh Muhammad Yunus Khalid
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 135)
Educational Lessons from the Life of Prophet Isa (AS)
The Second Lesson: Supplicating for One’s Child and Relying on Allah (SWT)
After having a righteous intention, supplication and reliance upon Allah (SWT) have an important place in the upbringing of children. Parents should understand that upbringing does not reach its desired result through human effort and planning alone. Therefore, alongside fulfilling their responsibilities, they should ask Allah (SWT) for guidance and success.
However, true supplication must be accompanied by the actions of the parents. Parents who pray for their children to be truthful must themselves be truthful. If they want their children to have good manners and kindness, they must demonstrate manners and kindness in their own behavior. If they desire faith and piety for their children, they must put these values into practice in their own lives. In this way, supplication is not merely a verbal request; rather, it transforms parents into practical role models for their children.
Therefore, the relationship between supplication and action is a two-way relationship: caring and kind parents prepare the foundation for proper upbringing through their actions, while through supplication they seek success and blessing from Allah (SWT).
This connection transforms upbringing from a merely educational and instructional program into a conscious, spiritual, and responsible path.
Allah (SWT) says concerning the supplication of the mother of Maryam (AS): [1] “وإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ” Translation: “And I have named her Maryam, and I seek refuge for her and her offspring in You from the accursed Satan.” [2]
This supplication was accepted by Allah (SWT). It is mentioned in the Noble Hadith that when the child of Adam (AS) is born and comes from his mother’s womb into the world, Satan touches him; Maryam and Isa (peace be upon them) were exempted from this. When this Hadith is considered together with other narrations, it becomes clear that children are originally born upon a sound and correct natural disposition, and this disposition becomes apparent as they grow and develop understanding and discernment. However, the surrounding circumstances and external influences may often weaken this original disposition. This condition is expressed in the Noble Hadith: “…then his parents make him a Jew or a Christian…” Just as the seed of faith and obedience has been placed secretly within the natural disposition of the human being, even though at that stage the child lacks not only faith but also the ability to perceive and understand even many basic sensory matters. [3]
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) beautifully explained the influence of parents upon their children: “عن ابی هریرة رضیاللهعنه قال: قال رسول الله صَلَّیاللَّهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَ: ما من مولود الا یولد علی الفطرة فابواه یهودانه او ینصرانه او یمجسانه.” Translation: Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “There is no child who is born except that he is born upon the natural disposition (of Islam), but his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” [4]
Based on this Noble Hadith, a person is born with a pure and sound natural disposition; however, the surrounding environment and the method of upbringing can influence this disposition. Therefore, parents play a fundamental and important role in preserving and developing the faith and moral character of their children.
Maryam and Isa (peace be upon them) were exempted from the touch of Satan at birth because of the supplication of Maryam’s mother. This demonstrates the great importance of supplication, a healthy environment, and proper upbringing in the development of a child’s personality.
Therefore, fathers, mothers, and guardians should, alongside education and upbringing, supplicate to Allah (SWT) for the guidance and righteousness of their children.
The Third Lesson: Choosing and Providing a Righteous and Healthy Environment
A healthy environment plays a fundamental role in the upbringing of children. A child does not learn only from the words of his parents; he is also influenced by their behavior, his friends, the atmosphere of the home, and the people with whom he associates.
Therefore, parents should provide their child with an environment filled with faith, good character, affection, and peace and should keep him away from bad companions and unhealthy environments. Such an environment provides the foundation for the child’s intellectual, moral, and spiritual development.
The Noble Quran says concerning Maryam (AS): [5] “فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا” Translation: “So her Lord accepted her with gracious acceptance, caused her to grow in a good manner, and entrusted her to the care of Zakariyya.” [6]
Although Maryam (AS) was a girl, Allah (SWT) honored her with a special and distinguished acceptance and granted her a lofty position.
Allah (SWT) placed love for her in the hearts of the worshippers and those devoted to the service of Bayt al-Maqdis and entrusted her to the care of Prophet Zakariyya (AS), a great Prophet who was worthy of nurturing such an honored servant.
Under this divine upbringing, Maryam (AS) attained a high status in both purity and character, as well as in knowledge and worship.
When a disagreement arose among those devoted to the service of Bayt al-Maqdis concerning the guardianship of Maryam (AS), the lot fell to Prophet Zakariyya (AS). He cared for Maryam (AS) with kindness and compassion and provided the conditions necessary for her intellectual, moral, and spiritual development.
This incident demonstrates that proper upbringing does not depend solely on family affection. Rather, choosing a healthy environment and entrusting a child to a qualified and righteous educator can transform the child’s future.
Prophet Zakariyya (AS) provided Maryam (AS) with a suitable place near Bayt al-Maqdis so that she could devote herself to worship and spiritual development.
Maryam (AS) spent her days in worship in that pure environment and returned to her aunt at night. In this way, a healthy environment, a qualified mentor, and a spiritual atmosphere worked together to prepare Maryam (AS) for a great mission in the future. [7]
The expression “أَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا” is particularly noteworthy. It means that Allah (SWT) nurtured her in a good and excellent manner. Just as a plant requires suitable soil, water, and care in order to grow, the human personality likewise needs a healthy environment, a qualified mentor, and continuous and sustained care.
To be continued…
Previous Part
References:
[1] Surah Al Imran: 36.
[2] Kabuli Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 306.
[3] Kabuli Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 306.
[4] Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 4775; Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 2658.
[5] Surah Al Imran: 37.
[6] Kabuli Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 307.
[7] (A summary of the concept from) Kabuli Tafsir, vol. 1, p. 307.
