The Prophet said: "The believers who have the most perfect faith are those who have the best manners." [Abu Daawood]
A child develops different habits fast in the early years of his life. These good and bad habits soon become second nature to him. Practicing these habits turn in to his way of life and his regular routine. It is necessary to apply and practice setting up an environment for the children in our homes reflecting that of a true Muslim lifestyle. A child needs to b taught etiquettes and decorum according to Islam.
I have a few tips here, which I practice regularly in my home, with my two adorable kids and Alhamdulillah it has become our second nature while practicing them along with the passage of time.
Tell your kids saying ‘Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh’ is a Dua and not just a way of saying hi, it has a great meaning : Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
According to a hadith the prophet Muhammad SAW was asked who should "begin" the salaam greeting, and he said:"The one who is riding should greet the one, who is walking, and the one who is walking should greet the one who is sitting, and the smaller group should greet the larger group." (Saheeh - Al-Bukhaari, 6234; Muslim, 2160)It is also stated that one should give the Salam greeting upon entering a house. This is based upon the verse of the Quran:''But when you enter the houses greet one another with a greeting from Allah (i.e say: Assalaamu'Alikum- peace be on you), and blessed and good.'(Al-Noor 24:61)
Maintain good relation with relatives
Never vigor your ideas on your children on developing relationships with their relatives, no matter what tough experiences we may have had in sustaining a good relation with anyone in the family . Always encourage your child to maintain a sound relationship with their relatives. Allah Swt Says in the Quran ''Worship Allaah and associate none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allaah does not like such as are proud and boastful. " [Quran, 4:36]
I read somewhere that ‘relatives are extension of the family then strengthening ties with them strengthens the whole family and it is like strengthening the whole community and this reflects an Islamic community that enjoys a solid structure.’
Friday is a special day
Tell your kids about the importance of Jummuh Friday. Tell them it is a congregational prayer and that it is mentioned in the Holy Quran as:
‘’O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew!
And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper.’’ Qur'an, sura 62 (Al-Jumua), ayat 9-1
Put some effort in making Jummah a special day , at home , I personally am done with all the cleaning early morning , after Fajar. In addition, cook some special food on Friday, just to make it unique for the children. We need to tell the kids in particular that we have Friday as a special day. My kids used to ask me that they only get to celebrate 2 Eid’s in a year whereas other people get to have many days to celebrate as Halloween, valentines, St Patrick’s Day and so on, so I made them aware about Friday.
Take your kids to the Jumma prayer, if possible. I have set up a routine of taking my kids to the Jumma prayer on alternate Fridays, as my son is still at school around Jumma/Zuhur time. I pick up my son from school in a half day, so that he does not miss his school completely and at the same time, he can come for the Jumma prayer with me. Trust me it works great! Allhamdulillah
Dollar a day
We should tell our children to give out charity frequently, and ask them to give out the money from their monthly or weekly allowance, on a regular basis. In such a way, that it becomes their nature.
I have maintained a routine with my kids, which we call ‘A dollar a day’.
Every night before going to bed, my kids ask me for a dollar to put in a charity box that I have made at home. I give them a dollar and they take turns everyday to put the dollar in that box. This way they keep their interest developed in taking turns, for this deed and at the same time, I do not have to rush myself to take out the big chunk of money only in Ramadan for ‘Zakat’ charity.
Read to your children
Children love listening to stories. We should tell our kids stories from the Quran and Seerah. We should make stories light and use soft words so that they can easily understand them. Stories leave deep impact on Childs mind and soul, and they make up their own pretend games assuming to make the stories live. I do not see parents have any interest in telling stories from the Quran and Seerah nowadays. I cherished every moment when my father used to sit with us and tell us stories from the Quran and from the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad SAW, and His companions and the famous scholars of Islam. We used to sit with him for hours and hours to listen to those evident and eminent stories, of our childhood.
I know I used to sit with my father until tahajjud sometimes asking him questions, about the stories he had told us.
We must give our children enough time after reading them stories so they can ask questions that they might have. Therefore, their curiosity can be at ease.
