Instruct your children in 3 things
Islam has based faith on belief in oneness of Allah Most High and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Non-Muslims have their beliefs and they follow them as they want to, but as Muslims, instruction in the basic tenets of faith is highly essential. Without this, deeds become worthless.
There is a Hadith narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
Translation: The first words you teach your children should be: La Ilaha Illallaah….. (Shua’bul Iman, Hadith No. 8379)
For this reason, after a child comes into this world, the first thing done is the Adhaan is sounded in the ears of the infant. Through this, belief in Unity of Allah and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is strengthened. Along with the faith that Almighty Allah is one and only, the most important belief is the belief in Prophethood that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the true Prophet of Allah Most High and is the Seal of Prophethood. He is the very reason behind the creation of the universe and is an epitome of all that is good. Love for Him is necessary more than one’s own life. Love for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) should be such that a Muslim should lose himself/herself in it and be ready to sacrifice everything for that love.
Included in the instruction of the basic tenets of belief is that children should be made to drink the love of the Prophet’s Family and they should be taught to love everything that is related to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has given this guidelines with utmost importance:
Translation: You instruct your children in 3 things: The love of your Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the love of the Prophet’s Family and recitation of the Holy Quran. (Jame’ Ul Ahadeeth, Hadith No. 961).
When raising children, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has given the top spot to His own love, then the love of the Prophet’s Family and then the recitation of the Holy Quran. Among these 3, the first 2 are about the basic tenets of faith and the last one is about performance of good deeds. This shows that in instruction of children, instruction of the basic tenets of faith should be taught first and then good deeds.
