In Prayer & with Good Manners (Part 1)
The importance of Salat (especially the
Obligatory Prayers) and the richness of good conduct, and remaining in the
state of good conduct, are among the greatest responsibilities that parents
must instill and implement in the lives of their children. They must keep in
mind that this is a non‑negotiable subject which encompasses the entire
life of a Muslim. Prayer (Salat) is not merely a formal obligation; it
is a spiritual discipline which shapes character, purifies the heart, and
brings man closer to his Creator.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Wa aqimis‑salata li Zikri”
And establish the
prayer for My remembrance.
(Taha 20: 15)
This verse shows
that Salat is a constant reminder of Allah, a protection against
forgetfulness, and a light for life. In the Qur’an, Allah says:
“Innas‑Salata tanha ‘anil fahshaa’i wal
munkar”
Surely prayer
restrains from shameful and unjust deeds. (Al‑‘Ankabut 29: 46)
This proves that Salat (Prayer) is a means of disciplining behaviour and keeping man away from sin.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The
first thing about which a servant will be questioned on the Day of Judgement is
the prayer. If it is correct, then the rest of his deeds will also be correct;
if it is corrupt, then the rest of his deeds will also be corrupt.”
(Tirmidhi)
This shows that Salat (Prayer) is
the key to all good deeds. In another Hadith, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Between
man and disbelief lies the abandonment of prayer.” (Muslim)
This is a warning that if a person does not
perform his Salat, remains distant from it, as well as from his connection with
Allah, it may lead him to lose his faith.
Parents bear an enormous responsibility towards
their children. In a Hadith, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Each one of you
is a shepherd, and each one will be questioned concerning his flock.”
(Bukhari). This includes parents who will have to answer before Allah regarding
the religious education of their children.
Salat (Prayer) is
also a source of tranquillity. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Bring us comfort
through prayer, O Bilal.” (Abu Dawud)
These words were full of meaning when Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) instructed Hazrat Bilal (ra) to give the Azaan (the call
to prayer) to summon people to Salat (Prayer).
This shows that Salat (Prayer) is
not only a duty, but also a rest for the soul.
In another Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“He who guards the prayer will have light, proof, and salvation on the Day
of Judgement; he who neglects the prayer will have neither light, nor proof,
nor salvation.” (Bukhari)
This demonstrates the immense value of Salat (Prayer) in
this world, for there will be a strict judgement concerning it on the Last Day.
Why is this so? Because Salat (Prayer) is
the sacred link between a servant and Allah; whoever does not maintain his
connection with Allah falls into darkness and perdition. Salat (Prayer) is
guidance, and staying away from it means remaining in the darkness of
ignorance. When a person is not attached to Salat (Prayer), does
not encourage his spouse (whether husband to wife or wife to husband), nor his
children to rise for Salat (Prayer), then
worldly cultures take root; for if one abandons the place reserved for Allah,
Satan will occupy it and prevent reconnection with Allah.
Good conduct derives directly from the practice
of Salat (Prayer). A Muttaqi
(One who have an awe-inspiring reverence for Allah; who is pious and righteous)
is one who walks upon the earth in obedience to Allah; he knows how to manage
his inner and outer conflicts, forgives others, and spends in the way of Allah.
Salat (Prayer) helps
him to reach this level, for it disciplines the heart and teaches humility. Thus,
Salat (Prayer) is a
pillar which protects against Satan. It disciplines the heart, teaches
humility, and brings people closer to Allah. Parents must begin from conception
itself of their children by asking Allah for pious offspring; then during
pregnancy, birth, and childhood, both mother and father must follow the Sunnah (practice
of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) and implement Salat (Prayer). The
best way to implement Salat (Prayer) is
for parents themselves never to miss their prayers. They must show physical,
moral, and spiritual stability in their household. When they establish
themselves upon good conduct and give importance to their connection with Allah
above worldly tasks, their home becomes a place where the light of Allah enters
and remains. Salat (Prayer) is a
light which prevents the home from becoming like a graveyard.
Therefore, to form a balanced and pious
society, Muslims have a fundamental role in becoming good representatives of
Islam, not only in the world outside their homes, but most importantly within
their homes. Parents who live in the fear of Allah, who establish good conduct
and teach it to their children, will see those children receive the light of
guidance, and Satan will have no place in their household.
The Qur’an reports the supplication of Hazrat
Ibrahim (as) when he asked Allah:
“Rabbi habli minas Saaliheen”
O my Lord, grant me a righteous child (who will
do good deeds and be upright in his behaviour). (As‑Swaffat 37: 101)
He had no child, but his desire remained firm.
This shows that a child is a blessing, but can also become a difficulty and a
source of trial. In Surah Al‑Kahf (18: 81‑82), Allah explains how Hazrat Khidr (as) had a
mission to prevent a child from bringing suffering to his parents. This
demonstrates that sometimes a child can be a test. Yet in the
tradition of the prophets, they always had the habit of asking Allah for pious
children even before conception. Hazrat Zakariyya (as) made this supplication:
“Rabbi habli milla dunka
Zurriyatan tayyibah”
O my Lord, grant me a pure offspring. (Al‑Imran 3: 39)
The mother of Hazrat Maryam (ra), the wife of
Imran, also expressed a vow to Allah (while she was pregnant):
“Rabbi inni
nazartu laka ma fi batni muharraran”
O my Lord, I consecrate what is in my womb to
Your service. (Al‑Imran 3: 36)
She wished for a
son, but Allah gave her a daughter – not just any daughter,
but one who later became a model for all humanity. Maryam lived a pure and
pious life, and Allah chose her among all women of her time to give birth to
Hazrat Isa (as) without a biological father. In Surah Maryam, Allah recounts
the miraculous birth of Isa ibn Maryam. In a Hadith it is reported that Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) taught that if a man recites this supplication during conjugal
relations: “Bismillahi Allahumma jannibna ash‑shaytana wa jannibish‑shaytana ma razaqtana”
– In the name of Allah, O Allah protect us from Satan and protect our
offspring from Satan – then that child will be preserved from the evil of
Satan. This shows that piety begins even before conception.
During pregnancy, the Qur’an teaches that when
the pregnant woman feels the weight of her burden, she invokes Allah for a
righteous child (Al‑A‘raf 7: 190). This shows that supplication and eating Halal (lawful)
food during pregnancy have a great impact on the spiritual and physical
development of the child. From birth, the Sunnah teaches
certain rites so that the child begins life within Islam. The first words he
hears are the call to prayer (Azaan) in his right ear and the Iqamah
in his left ear. Then comes the Tahnik (a small piece of date chewed by
a pious person) placed upon his tongue. Then the child must be given a good
name, for names influence personality. All these practices aim to bring the
child closer to Allah. Education begins from the cradle itself: parents must
teach kindness and good manners, and as the child grows, they must teach him Salat (Prayer) and a
good code of life [Good manners etc.].
Therefore, reflect well that the true wealth of
parents lies in having pious children, children who establish themselves upon Salat (Prayer),
children whom Satan cannot touch because of their close connection with Allah.
It is imperative for parents in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and in the entire
Ummah of Muhammad (pbuh) not to neglect the spiritual education of their
children. Do not focus only on academic progress. Academic achievement is good,
yes, but do not concentrate solely upon it. Remember that you must form your
children to become the best representatives of Islam in the world. Discipline
is necessary, and this discipline begins from the cradle itself and continues
until those parents themselves leave this world. Whoever preserves his
connection with Allah through Salat (Prayer),
through good deeds, and through helping the progress of Islam – bringing people
towards Allah, encouraging good and abandoning evil – keeps his heart alive;
whoever neglects Salat (Prayer) and
acts of goodness deprives his soul of spiritual nourishment.
Verily, Salat (Prayer) is a
treasure which transforms life; it is a spiritual inheritance which parents transmit
to their children; and it is a light which guides all humanity towards good
conduct and closeness to Allah. I pray that Allah grants my disciples and the
rest of the Ummah pious children, children who do not become slaves of Satan,
but who become obedient servants of Allah. Insha‑Allah, Ameen.
----Friday Sermon of