Look how Imam Ali (peace be upon him and his family) treats...

Look how Imam Ali (peace be upon him and his family) treats and respects children. He addresses them specifically as individuals with rights. If the teacher does not respect those rights, the Imam said he will punish him. What a profound and daunting statement. We should think before we raise our hands to hit a child.

Actually, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (peace be upon him and his family) said that you cannot spank or beat a child for something that is not haram (forbidden or unpermitted according to Islamic law). Why beat at all? Well, as explained in previous lessons, one must take historical context into account. Beating was merely a means, not the goal.

Today, beating may not be necessary as there may exist a slew of punishment means for correction that may be more effective without causing resentment, fear, and/or hatred (as created within children in today’s society due to a number of factors). As good Muslims and parents, we should also focus on acts of affection towards our children. For example, we should give gifts to our children. There are ahadith that mention that giving gifts to your children is like giving charity or freeing a slave .

Also, there is a hadith (tradition) stating that one should give gifts to girls first. However, one should be cognizant of not exceeding the limits. Parents should not spoil their children and should not instill materialism. It is the parent’s duty to raise a good individual. Parents should always advise and teach their children. Allah (the All-Wise) provides great points for parents to teach their children in the Qur’an (31:13 and 31:16-19).

In these verses, Allah (the All-Generous) speaks of how the honorable Luqman (may we reach his level) advised his son.[^1] At least eleven points of wisdom, (Jalali, pages 431-432), can be extracted from these verses: i) Never associate anything with God . Generally, there can be two types of shirk (polytheism).

One type is actually worshipping idols or statues, and the other type is when you seek help from someone other than God and you believe that the other being is really the source of the help or power. Yes, we seek doctors and others for worldly help, but they are only means. The true help is the Lord, the Indescribable Source. ii) Whatever God wants to happen, will happen . iii) God knows what you do, and He is All-Aware . iv) Never miss prayer .

Proper salat (prayer) will help keep you on the straight path.