Children

Biologically, a child (plural: children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.

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Children . Parents . Respect . Domestic violence

Does Islam expect children to treat their parents with respect even if they have been subjected to extreme physical abuse by their parents and have only fear and no respect left in their heart for them?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 1 week ago

Bismihi ta'ala

This is a difficult question, and maybe even sensitive for some, because we know that Islam unequivocally condemns abuse or physical violence towards other innocent people.

We must always remember that many parents have not been given the correct method of upbringing, and many parents do not have the adequate skills to deal with parenting and the many pressures that it entails.

As Muslims, we are taught to always show the utmost level of respect to our parents and our elders. How they reciprocate that and what they do or have done is something else.

Allah ta'ala will judge them for what they have done.

We must stay loyal to our parents, pray for them, visit them, be compassionate to them, and never sever ties with them. We must also ask Allah ta'ala to grant us the patience we need to make sure our love for them stays in our heart, even thought they might have hurt us.

As long as you yourself know that you are not being insolent, or disobeying your parents, or not cutting ties. In regards to your inner feelings, there is nothing much that are able to do, because of the ongoing abuse, but it still does not allow you to disrespect your parents.

Honour your parents, avoid things that would agravate them, or upset them, in what you do or say, try to get them to understand your position, and how its affecting you, maybe by getting intervention from elders, and most importantly always do dua for them.

With prayers for your success.

93411

Adoption . Children

What last name can you give an adopted child if their background is completely unknown?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 weeks ago

It is forbidden to give any one a name of a family or a tribe that he does not really belong to. If you have no knowledge at all about his family, you can give him after the name of the place or city or country he belongs to.

'Wassalam.

91802

Children . Caliphate . Imam Ali

Why did Imam Ali choose to give names of the caliphs to his children if they had usurped his position?

The opponents of Shia Muslims put this allegation on Imam Ali (AS) trying to justify their claim that Imam Ali (AS) was friendly with the three Caliphs of Saqeefah. Imam Ali (AS) never gave any of his children any name of his opponents. It is authentic that he gave the name Othman to one of his sons and clearly said: I am giving him the name of my brother Othman Ibn Madh'oon عثمان بن مظعون who was a pious follower of Imam Ali (AS) and passed away during the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and he was the first companion who was burried in the Baqee'.

Imam Ali (AS) never gave the name of Abu Bakr nor Omar to any of his children. He gave the name of Amro عمرو which is written in Arabic like عمر but it was not Omar.

Many of our scholars say the these names where not confined to the three rulers of Saqeefah but usual names used by people in general.

The stand of Imam Ali (AS) from the three rulers of Saqeefa is very clear in manybtexts e.g. his sermon known as Al-Shaqshaqiyyah and what is narrated in Saheeh Muslim ( Volume 5, page 153 from Omar Ibn al-Khattab who said that Ali believed that Abu Bakr and Omar are liars, sinners, betrayers, and dishonest.

Wassalam.

91772

Parents . Meat . Children . Aqiqah

Are parents allowed to eat meat for the Aqeeqah of their own child?

It is Makrouh(disliked) for parents to eat from the Aqeeqa of their child. Makrouh is not Haraam.

Wassalam.

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Infant . Children

What is the Islamic status of the baby who dies in the womb or a child with special needs?

Children who die before reaching the age of Buloogh (Puberty) will be in the mercy of Allah and will never suffer at all. They will be offered to enter Paradise but according to Hadeeths, they will prefer to wait for their parents to enter Paradise with them.

Children with special needs will have more bounties and more mercy in the hereafter for all the sufferings they had in this life.

Wassalam.

88803

Children . Parents

Why is it that after two years of age, the father becomes the guardian of the child even though a mother is considered the primary and most important parent in Islam?

We as believers in Allah (SWT) firmly believe in the Absolute Wisdom, Mercy, and Justice of Allah (SWT). We do not question His orders and never ask Him why. We are sure that all His orders are based on absolute wisdom, mercy, and justice and aim for our benefits whether we understand it or not.

Wassalam.

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Cancer . God (Allah) . Children

What is God's purpose in making a child born into a disease such as cancer or a child dying at birth?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 3 months ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Although it is not possible to know the mind of God and all of His purposes, what we are sure of is that a Merciful, Wise and Just Lord would only allow an innocent to suffer if there was a benefit that accrued to that innocent which was worth their suffering in this world. In the case of a child that would be something like a swift entrance into heaven or a higher station within it. As the test pertains to the parents and relatives as well, if they are patient through it they will also be rewarded accordingly.

May you always be successful.

84712

Sleep . Children

Does Islam say anything about why babies cry in their sleep?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 3 months ago

It is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (S): “Never beat the children if they cry. Fulfill their needs. Because, for the first four months of the life of a child, its cries are a witness to the Existence and Unity of Allah, Almighty." (Bihar al-Anwar)

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Parents . Children

Is it allowed in Islam for a parent to break relationship with their child just because they are not good enough in their academic studies?

In general, in Islam, one should avoid breaking ties with one's family unless there is a serious and overriding reason (such as fear for one's life). However, whether one wishes to maintain a close relationship or a more distant relationship is a personal choice.

I don't know the details of this situation. I would surmise that in most cases, if parents break ties with their children on account of their child's poor academic performance, it is due to (a) other issues, not just academics, (b) an attempt to motivate the child to do better by "punishing" them, or (c) a projection of their own psychological issues onto the child.

Anyway, all the child can do is try to be polite and respectful, try to avoid arguments, and keep the door open in case they wish to resume communication.

If a young person is not doing well in academics, and has tried various ways to improve but has not succeeded, it is worth considering other options such as vocational school or going into business. Everyone has their own skills and talents. There are a lot of jobs that are not related to academics (such as being a chef or plumber) which pay well and are necessary jobs for society, even if the parents' dream is for their child to do something else.

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Parents . Pregnancy . Children . Sin

Is there any negative impact on the soul of the unborn child due to the sins of the parents during conception and pregnancy?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. The times of conception and pregnancy are of special importance to a child's soul and so the sins of the parents during that time do have a negative impact. And Allah knows best.

May you always be successful

84040

Cousin . Children . Disability . Marriage

I have heard that it is scientifically proven that first cousin marriages can cause disabled children and genetic problems. If that is the case then why does Islam allow such marriages?

There are advantages and disadvantages to marrying closely (like a first cousin). Sometimes the advantages, such as having greater trust, might outweigh the disadvantages. To my understanding, occasional close marriages are not usually a problem with genetics, rather, problems tend to arise when people do this over a long span of generations. Also they have been common in many cultures not just among some Muslim cultures. Genetic problems can also arise in any marriage. However there is nothing in Islam recommending this particular type of marriage.

82690

Surat al-Rahman . Children

May I have some ideas on how to represent verse 6 of Sura Rahman to a child in a creative way?

I one saw someone teaching Surah al-Rahman by associating meaningful signs with each of the verses, so, for instance, in this verse, they pointed to stars and made trees with their hands and fingers. The idea behind this is that the human being will remember gestures and words more than gestures. You could try it!