Inviting our children

One of the most difficult tasks for me is how to raise my children. It is difficult because of my ego. That is the only plausible answer I can come up with because when they don’t act as I wish, it bothers me so. It is because I have built up a sense that I know what I’m doing. Although I may have some experience and some education in this field, I don’t know what I’m doing to certainty. I know my experiences and lessons in life, but I don’t want them to make the same mistakes. I want their lives to be more emotionally happy and righteous and GOD loving. It’s because that’s what makes me happy; and it took a long time for me to get there. I want them to just do it, because I know better. Do you know what’s is interesting? Even if I know better than them, do I know better than GOD?

GOD gives us an interesting formula in the quran. [20:132] You shall enjoin your family to observe the contact prayers (Salat), and steadfastly persevere in doing so. We do not ask you for any provisions; we are the ones who provide for you. The ultimate triumph belongs to the righteous.

I am familiar with 2 ideas of parenting and religion. The first is an authoritarian approach that forces children to pray as their parents pray. They have no choice and some parents use physical force which can actually repel children from the path of GOD. We pray like this, therefore you pray like this.

The second idea is where the parents don’t pray. The children don’t pray. It is a household that doesn’t believe that religion is important.

GOD seems to give us a 3rd option. Pray and be a good believer to the best of your ability. Invite your children but don’t force them. Make sure that you are an sincere example, and invite and continue to invite.

There is wisdom there. May GOD guide me and all others who need it to understand it and use well.