Gem from a pious predecessor

Ibn Abi al-Dunya’s Kitab al-’Iyal, “The Book of Family” begins with chapters on the physical and emotional development of a child, with narrations on parental love, playing with children, caressing them, and greeting them. All this comes before discussing teaching and character-development. The reason for this order is because only when the child is physically (food, drink, and play) and emotionally satisfied (love and affection from both parents), can they then begin to develop a balanced personality and give their attention to learning and exploring the world around them. Religious parents make the mistake of prioritising teaching knowledge, teaching them to read the Qur’an and pray Salah before developing them emotionally, psychologically, and physically.