Should we use Fear of Allah approach to teach Islam to our children

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. 

When we love Allah, Worship becomes joy, not a burden and Obedience becomes natural, not forced. In fact, love of Allah induces hope in Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, and Paradise, especially after repentance. “But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.” (Al-Baqarah 2:165)

Thus, a Muslim’s heart should not be driven by fear alone, but love as well, for love helps us keep us balanced, sincere, and spiritually strong.

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.

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Hadith Qudsi: Allah loves the believers who remain sincere in their worship

No love in this world is greater than the love of Allah for His sincere believers and worshippers. And that in fact should be the endeavour of every Muslim to do whatever is humanly possible to get closer to their Creator so that are blessed, guided and loved.

In our series of Hadith Qudsi, we share today a well-known narration where Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) reports a profound statement from Allah. This hadith is a narration where Allah speaks directly to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), revealing His will and intentions in a personal manner and is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 81: To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq) / كتاب  الرقاق / Chapter 38:  The humility or modesty or lowliness / باب  التَّوَاضُعِ / as Hadith 6502, given herein under:

Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:

 "Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، حَدَّثَنِي شَرِيكُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدِي بِشَىْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَىَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطُشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنِ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَىْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

This hadith beautifully describes the deep relationship between Allah and His devoted worshippers. It emphasizes the importance of both obligatory and voluntary acts of worship in drawing closer to Allah. Allah promises to protect, guide, and answer the prayers of His beloved servants, and He is deeply merciful, even in matters like death. The hadith shows how much Allah loves His believers and how He is always with them, guiding them and fulfilling their needs, as long as they remain sincere in their worship.

This hadith explains several key concepts about Allah's relationship with His believers, focusing on His mercy, love, and guidance. Let's look at the different parts of the hadith and explain their meanings:

"I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine."

• Meaning: Allah is saying that if someone shows hostility, harm, or opposition to a sincere and pious worshiper (a true servant of Allah), He will oppose that person. This highlights the sanctity of those who are devoted to worship and the protection Allah provides to His sincere believers.
• Significance: This is a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of those who are righteous and dedicated to their faith. Those who oppose or harm them will face consequences because of Allah's protection over His servants.
• Related Qur'anic Concept: This idea of protecting the believers and punishing those who harm them is echoed in the Qur'an. For example, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190) says: "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors." Allah protects His believers, and those who harm them will face consequences.

"The most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him." 

• Meaning: Allah is telling us that the most beloved acts to Him are the ones He has commanded us to do — the obligatory acts of worship like the five daily prayers (Salah), fasting in Ramadan, giving charity (Zakat), and other essential duties.
• Significance: This emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the obligations prescribed by Allah. These acts of worship are the foundation of a Muslim's relationship with Allah.
• Related Qur'anic Concept: In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), Allah says: "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets..." This verse highlights that fulfilling Allah’s commandments is the core of righteousness.

"My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (extra deeds) till I love him..."

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