Katika Uislamu, fikra ya uhuru inabadilishwa na uwajibikaji. Uwajibikaji huu si kwa nafsi yako na matamanio yako tu, bali ni uwajibikaji kwa Allah (SWT) Muumba wako. Mfumo wa Kijamii wa Uislamu, unaoshughulikia uhusiano baina ya wanaume na wanawake na masuala yanayojitokeza kati yao, unaweka miongozo wazi kwa muundo thabiti na wenye maelewano wa familia. Ni juu ya msingi huu ndipo uhusiano wako kama mzazi na mtoto wako unapojengwa, na ndio unaotoa mazingira katika jamii yanayoweza kukuwezesha kuhakikisha kwamba mtoto wako atakua na kuwa mtu utakayejivunia.

In Islam, the mentality of freedom is replaced by responsibility. This responsibility is not merely towards yourself and your own desires, rather it is the responsibility to Allah (swt) your creator. The Social System of Islam, which deals with the relationship between men and women and the issues that arise between them, defines clear guidelines for a stable and harmonious family structure. It is upon this basis that your relationship as a parent with your child is built, and it is this that provides the environment in society which can enable you to ensure that your child will grow up to be someone you are proud of.

Jukumu la kwanza la kumlea mtoto wako liko shingoni mwako kama mzazi. Allah (SWT) anasema,

The primary duty to bring up your child lies on the neck of you as the parent. Allah (swt) says,.

"Enyi mlioamini, jiokoeni nafsi zenu na jamaa zenu na Moto, ambao kuni zake ni watu na mawe." [TMQ 66:6].

“Oh you who believe, save yourselves and your families from the Hellfire, whose fuel is men and stones.” [TMQ 66:6].

Aya hii inaeleza ni nini malengo yako kwa mwanao wa kiume au wa kike yanapaswa kuwa. Jambo lako la msingi linapaswa kuwa kwamba yeye afikie Peponi na aokolewe na Moto wa Jahannamu. Ni baada ya hapo tu ndipo inafaa kufikiria ni aina gani ya elimu au kazi anayopaswa kuifuata. Kwani, ikiwa malengo yako kwa mtoto wako yako kwenye neema na starehe za dunia hii peke yake, utampa maandalizi kidogo kwa maisha ya Akhera, ambayo ndiyo makazi ya mwisho kwenu nyote wawili.

This ayah defines what your ambitions for your son or daughter should be. Your primary concern should be that he or she attains the Paradise and is saved from the Hellfire. Only after this is it worth considering what kind of education or career they should pursue. After all, if your aims for your child lie solely in the bounties and pleasures of this life, you will give them little in the way of preparation for the life to come, which is the ultimate destination for both of you.

Kiini cha mafanikio katika juhudi hizi kinategemea kumlea mtoto wako kwa ufahamu sahihi wa Kiislamu. Ni lazima umfundishe imani ya kweli kwa Allah (SWT) na Mtume wake ﷺ, na jinsi anavyopaswa kutekeleza wajibu wake kama Mwislamu. Na hili lazima ulifanye kwa namna ambayo atakuwa na imani kamili katika anachokifanya.

The essence of achieving success in this endeavour lies in education of your child with the correct Islamic understanding. You must teach them about the true belief in Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw), and how they should fulfil their obligations as a Muslim. And this you must do in such a way that they have complete conviction in what they are doing.

Hii inajumuisha kuwafundisha ushahidi wa kiakili wa ‘aqeedah ya Kiislamu, swala, funga, wajibu wa da‘wah na jihadi, mwenendo wa Mwislamu - kwa ufupi, mambo yote ambayo ni fardhi (wajibu) kwao na haramu (marufuku) kwao. Kwani ni pale tu mtu anapokuzwa katika mtazamo wa kutii amri na makatazo ya Allah (SWT) ndipo mtu yeyote anaweza kutumaini kupata Pepo.

This includes teaching them about the rational proofs of the Islamic ‘aqeedah, the prayer, the fasting, the duty of da‘wah and jihad, the conduct of a Muslim - in short, all the things which are fard (obligatory) upon them and haram (forbidden) for them. For it is only when one is inculcated with the mentality of obedience to the commands and prohibitions of Allah (swt) that anyone can hope to attain the Paradise.

Je, unawezaje kuhakikisha kwamba jukumu hili linatimizwa? Jambo la kwanza kufanya ni kujitazama mwenyewe. Je, uko tayari kujiokoa na Moto wa Jahannamu? Usipokuwa tayari, unawezaje kutumaini kumzuia mtoto wako asifikie hatima kama hiyo? Ikiwa utamlea mtoto wako kwa elimu ya dini (yaani Uislamu), lazima wewe mwenyewe uijue. Kisha, ili uwe mfano mzuri kwa mtoto wako, lazima uitekeleze Uislamu kikamilifu katika maisha yako mwenyewe. Hii ndiyo hatua ya kwanza katika kutimiza wajibu wako kama mzazi.

How can you make sure that this duty is fulfilled? The first thing to do is to take a look at yourself. Are you ready to save yourself from the Hellfire? Unless you are, how can you hope to prevent your child from arriving at such a fate? If you are going to educate your child with knowledge of the deen (i.e. Islam), you must know it yourself. And then, if you are to be a good example to your child, you must practice Islam fully in your own life. This is the first stage in fulfilling your responsibility as a parent.

Ibn Majah amesimulia kwamba Mtume ﷺ alisema: "Wafundisheni watoto wenu na wafundisheni vizuri."

Ibn Majah narrated that the Prophet (saw) said, “Teach your children and teach them properly.”.

Ibn Jurayr amesimulia kuwa Mtume ﷺ alisema: "Waamrisheni watoto wenu wazingatie amri zote za Allah, na waepuke makatazo yote, na kwa hilo mtawalinda na Moto wa Jahannam."

Ibn Jurayr narrated that the Prophet (saw) said, “Order your children to abide by all the commands of Allah, and to avoid all the prohibitions, and by that you protect them from the Hellfire.”.

Baada ya kumpa mtoto wako uelewa na imani thabiti katika Uislamu - hii ndiyo maandalizi ya msingi na muhimu kabisa unayoweza kumpa - atakuwa tayari kukabiliana na yote ambayo dunia inaweza kutoa.

Once you have equipped your child with an understanding and conviction in Islam - the basic and most vital preparation that you could give, he or she will be ready to face all that the world can offer.