The first step to rectifying your children is rectifying yourself. You should rectify your intentions and purify it for Allāh alone. And you are educating your children as a form of ‘Ibaadah. Take parenting as a means and also an end in itself. It is a means to raise children upon righteousness by Allah’s permission, and also an end in fulfilling Allah’s commandment that we should raise them. Taking it like this will give you the needed motivation, strength, and happiness that is needed through the journey of parenting.
As a Salafi parent, you need to understand that the most effective way to educate your children is being a living example. Those traits you want your children to have, work on having those traits now. It is easier for them to emulate you than to follow instructions. You love that your children start their day by revising what they have memorised from the Qur’an, you should also start disciplining yourself on that.
Strengthening your knowledge and understanding is an important aspect of rectifying yourself first. It is not possible that you give what you do not have. If you do not possess the necessary knowledge, values and morals that an upright Muslim should have, you would have nothing to pass on to your children. Take your time to attend the necessary classes to understanding your religion. Learning Tawheed and memorising the basic texts of Tawheed is very important. Learn the correct ‘Aqeedah and Manhaj of Ahl as-sunnah, learn Fiqh, learn ‘Arabiyyah and every other needed field. Parenting is a continuous process of learning and growth, you continue learning till you return to Allah.
Foster a love for seeking knowledge, Baarakallahu Feekum. It is a great encouragement to make your children love seeking knowledge. When your children find happiness in seeking knowledge, it will help them in learning more beyond what they are being taught. They find happiness in studying their books, and all that is needed at that period is guiding them towards what is needed to be learnt.
It is worthwhile that you also cultivate yourself on good character, self-discipline, time management, effective communication skills, patience, positive attitude, creativity, etc. These are very important for Parenting journey. May Allah ease it.
Mubaarak Olayemi Ismail
Abu Muhsinah
