Any day we wish, we can teach our children to discipline their lives according to the Quran. Any day we wish to make important changes in their lives according to Sunnah. Any day we wish, we can open the door that will open their minds to the knowledge of Deen. Any day we wish, we can start a new fun activity which teaches them to Love Allah Subhana o Tala more. Any day we wish, we can help them start the process of life change. Any day we wish, we can make our children realize the importance of inheriting the legacy of Sahabah RA.
You are not a tree!
Nov 11, 2019
We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.
We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change the routines of our children makes us uncomfortable we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause.
The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنْ النَّاسِ الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari 8/421)
We created our current circumstances for ourselves and for our children by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of a good life here and hereafter, do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions.They need the truth.
They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth. Children grow up so fast, we have only a few years where we can build a strong foundation of Tawakal of Allah, Love of Allah and Love of Islam in their hearts. We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path and to raise a weak Ummah. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out as Muslims. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness, and joy into our child's daily lives.
And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make positive changes in their child's life: if you are afraid your child is not on the path to success, help them make changes! You’re not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your child's life—and it all begins with your very own power of choice.
