O My Son!!

When discussing what are our priorities in teaching our children, we cannot detach ourselves from the advices of Luqman to his son. Luqman gave few but worthy advices, and Allah has recorded all these in the Quran. If we are confused as to so many things to teach our children, then stick with his advices, Insya-Allah, they will be enough.

Why need the early start?

Why not? Don't we want our children to be included in the 7 groups that will be shaded in the day of judgement when there is no other shade apart from Shade of Allah (2nd group: Youth who are raised worshipping Allah)? Furthermore, look at the youth during early Islamic period.

- Alee accepted Islam when he was 10, Abdullah Ibn Umar & Abu Ubaydah was 13, Zaid Harithah was 15, and most of other companions were less than 30 years old.
- Sultan Muhammad II Al-Fatih, the conqueror of Constantinapole was 21 upon becoming the ruler of Uthmaniyah and was 24 when he conquered Constantinapole.
- Salahuddin al-Ayyubi aged 14 when he joined the army of Syrian ruler, Nuruddin, becoming commander-in-chief of Syrain army at 29 and capturing Jerusalem at 49.

And let us not forget, in the day of judgment, among the thing that will be asked is how we use our youth.

Surah Luqman 13-19

13. And (remember) when Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is great Zulm (wrong) indeed.
As of everything in Islam, Aqidah is the uppermost important topic to teach and master. This has been reminded again and again, and it is clear from this verse, it is the same with our children.

14. And we have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardsip, and his weaning is in 2 years - give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.
15. But if they strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.
It is our duty to look after our parents, especially when they are old. Different to the situation where I am currently in, when sending money to the parents is considered excessive. Putting them in the nursing home is considered natural progression of life. Parents' duty of looking after us is considered our right as compare to their tender and unconditioned love. Forgive us O Allah and forgive our parents.

16. O My son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place).
If ask you to hide something very small, where would you place it? I could hide it under the pillow (soo typical, isn't it?) or in a security box. Or I can hide it in a place where I myself would not know, by going to the open field, close my eyes and throwing it to the sky and let it fall anywhere it was meant to. Yet, still Allah knowledge encompass all that happen. Nothing we can hide from Him.Concept of realising that Allah is All Watching, All Knower of what we do.And Allah will judge our deeds in the Hereafter

17. O my son! Perform As-Salah, enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (goodness) and forbid Al-Munkar (evil), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments.
Next is to teach our children on how to pray. Also included is for them to learn enjoing good and forbiding evil. My nephew would remind his father to go to Masjid when he hears the Azan (enjoining good), and his sister would not allow me to speak while I eat (forbiding evil). And when they grow up, the part of forbiding evil will become harder and harder to do if they try still, they will face stern opposition. That is when they need to have super patience. That Allah likes those who have patience, those who can keep their anger and not be reactive. My cousin, whenever his brother purposely tries to irritate him to make him angry, he would just walk away without any confrontation. And he was only 7 (I think) at that time. I asked him why didn't he answered back? He said - If he did that, then there will be a fight and physically, he won't win. So it's better for him to just walk away. Masya Allah, so small yet so mature. May Allah grant you a house in the outskirt of paradise as he has promised that for those who avoid worthless confrontation although he is right.

18. And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster.
When the children are successful at doing Salat, and giving advise to other people, it is important for them not be arrogant of their knowledge. Knowing that we are human being, and we will do mistakes in future. And those people whom we used to forbid evil, they might change and become better than us.

19. And be moderate in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses.
Teach our children to talk with humility. That it is better to keep quiet when there is nothing good to talk about. Rasullulah asked for one of his Sahabah, Thabit bin Qais who he has not seen for a long time. So other companions looked for Thabit and found him crying in his house. When asked, Thabit replied that it was an evil affair, for he used to raise his voice above the voice of the prophet and so all his good deeds had been annulled and he considered himself as one of the people of the Fire. The companions returned to the Prophet telling him the story. Rasulullah then, in reply said: Go back to him and say to him: You are not from the people of the Hell-Fire, but from the people of Paradise. (Bukhari). Thabit took the verse literally and felt it was directed to him. Subhanallah, how different is the Imaan of the companions compare to us...

@Peace