Teaching Islam to our children is usually based on Fear of Allah approach, the same way mothers instill fear of fathers in her children. Should this be "the only" approach to attract children to Islam or should we induce of Allah into the hearts of our children so that they are naturally attracted to their Creator and look up to Him for loving guidance.
Normally word Taqwa is used in the negative term to attain closeness to Allah based on His fear. But shouldn't we explain Taqwa essentially as a meanto inculcate “awareness of Allah” or “piety,” rather than translating it as “fear of God,” though not with the usual meaning of “fear.” The mere fear of Allah translates into Allah getting angry and feel like every breath that we take as a crime? Many immams use Friday prayers and the word of God as a platform to project their own fear and anxiety. Their words come from such an unwholesome place that it feels grating to the ears.
In fact, we should use an approach which more related to love of Allah and less of inculcating fear of Allah. This approach will induce mercy of Allah into our hearts and which will be more refreshing rather than instilling fear which makes one feel like a criminal or a wrongdoer.
Please listen to the video below in which eminent Muslim scholar Nauman Ali Khan dwells on the subject for the guidance of all those trying to understand between love that induces hope rather than fear which induces depression for feeling like being punished for every act of ours.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
No comments:
Post a Comment