What is True Muslim Parenthood?

Muslim parenthood is a journey that begins as soon as your child is born. Suddenly, you become a parent, and now you have a lot of duties. You must bring up your child according to Islam and follow the principles of Islamic parenting. Principles of Islamic parenting are not just a checklist of duties but also our spiritual responsibility to observe. But how do you fulfil this responsibility? You must realize that while bringing up your kids, you are not only a teacher but a learner yourself. You will also learn many new things along the journey.  

Before Muslim Parenthood: The Illusion of Knowing Everything 

Before you have kids, you think you know everything. You think that your life is full and well-rounded. You seem to know where you stand on every issue. After all, you probably spent long, drawn-out years of your life learning at the hands of qualified teachers and reading articles and textbooks about almost every subject. 

You think you know a lot, but then something changes. 

As you hold your child in your hands for the first time and look down at her purity, her openness and willingness to learn everything, her utter acceptance of you, flaws and all, you realize that in her lack of knowledge about the world, perhaps she already knows more than you.  

She has no preconceived notions about anyone or anything. She hasn’t limited herself to an occupation or a single field of study. She hasn’t experienced the hurt and pain that can trigger pessimism or hopelessness. Everything is still new to her – everything is full of life, light, and opportunity.  

Muslim Parenthood: A Journey of Reexamination 

And the journey of Muslim parenthood starts. You begin to reexamine all you think you know.  

This little human being needs to be exposed to everything good and shielded from everything bad (at least for some time). So, you wonder, what is truly good and what is truly evil that I may give and withhold from my child accordingly? 

Questions you never pondered before start surfacing

What habits should I instill in my child?

What values should I nurture?

How do I raise my child to be kind, confident, and God-conscious? 

Muslim parenthood is an ever-evolving process of reflection and refinement. It requires patience, humility, and a constant willingness to seek knowledge and lead. Every choice you make, from the stories you tell the words you use, becomes part of your child's foundation. You realize that parenting isn’t just about giving love and protection—it’s about shaping a soul, guiding it towards righteousness, and preparing it for the challenges of both this world and the Hereafter. 

Principles of Islamic Parenting: Raising Children with Faith 

The only way to know is to keep learning. Muslim parenthood is not only a biological role. Your kids are a sacred trust from Allah. They are an Amanah to be taken care of. You must apply the principles of Islamic parenting in your journey of Muslim parenthood to fulfil the obligation of raising your children.  

The path of learning becomes steeper when you have a child because now you are not only responsible for your own soul. There is now another soul, wholly reliant on you for its sustenance, both physical and spiritual.  

It relies on you to teach it how to differentiate right from wrong. Muslim parenthood is not just about teaching your kid to be successful in this world, but also how to thrive in the next. The learner you once were does not stop becoming the teacher. Rather, the learner in you becomes an avid, desperate seeker of truth. 

“Recite in the name of your Lord who created –Created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous –Who taught by the pen –Taught man that which he knew not. “

(Quran 96:1-5)