Raising children according to Islam does not start when problems appear at age fifteen — it begins before the child is even born. Too many Muslim parents discover their children have drifted into gangs, drugs, or harmful relationships only after years of neglect, and by then, the road back is painfully difficult. The reality is that children are recording everything they see, and the most powerful lesson a parent can teach is the one they live.
The Role Model Crisis
When a mother removes her hijab the moment she gets in the car, her daughter learns that hijab is not important. When a father tells his child to say “he’s not home” on the phone, he teaches lying from day one. Imam al-Shafi’i was once approached by an excited father with a two-year-old son, saying he wanted his boy to become a great scholar. Al-Shafi’i’s response was sobering: “It’s too late.” The formation of a child’s character begins from infancy — even from the womb, where the environment a mother creates shapes what is to come.
“You have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example.” — Quran 33:21
Practical Steps for Muslim Parents
- Be the role model first — Pray consistently, attend the masjid, be honest, and live Islam visibly so your children absorb it naturally
- Control the screen — Television in a child’s bedroom is a serious danger; replace mainstream programming with Islamic children’s content and educational material
- Location matters — Live close enough to a masjid that your child can walk there for prayer; make the house of Allah a familiar, welcoming place
- Spend quality time — Take days off specifically for family; engage children in outdoor activities, sports leagues, and Islamic events that keep them productively busy
- Start from pregnancy — Ensure the household environment is halal and spiritually healthy even before the child arrives
Advice for the Youth
“You don’t know how to swim and you want to dive in to save someone who’s drowning — both of you are going to drown. Stay dry until you learn, then go help.” — Imam Siraj Wahhaj
For young Muslims struggling with temptation, the first step is changing your environment. You cannot purify yourself while standing in filth. Find righteous companions at the masjid and in organized Islamic events — brothers and sisters who will remind you to pray, lower your gaze, and fear Allah. Fast regularly to weaken the pull of desires, avoid places of fitnah, and stay connected to the masjid where the angels dwell. And for those who have not yet found a spouse, remember the Prophet’s advice: put your trust in Allah, be sincere in your dua, and He will open the way.
