Role of Parents Towards Living in a Corrupt Society

A very common problem seen in youth in western countries is that their parents allow them to indulge in some form of haram in the hope that will stop them from committing worse haram. An example of this is that parents will say that they allow their children to indulge in music in the hope that will stop them from going out with bad people or leaving their home all together. Parents are afraid that if they enforce the law of Allah in their homes, that their children will leave. 

What is Islam's position on this sort of compromise? Some parents also say that they only have the duty to tell their children something is haram, and then their children have to choose for themselves because they are already young adults (i.e. 13 -18 years old and unmarried, living at home). Don't the parents have to forbid haram by all means, or do they just say that is haram and then leave them be? To what extent do parents have to go to forbid their children from haram?

Parents also believe that once their children reach the age of puberty they are no longer responsible for their sins or actions, and so say they will have no sin if they advise their children something is haram and then leave them. Is this true? Or do parents always have the responsibility of forbidding their children from haram, and will they be responsible if they see their children doing haram and just leave them after advising them?

Praise be to Allah.Firstly: The success or failure of the Muslim in raising his children depends on a variety of factors, which undoubtedly includes the environment in which they live, which plays a major role in the success or failure of that upbringing. Secondly: The parents have ... Continue Reading

Islamic Education in the West

How do we as Muslims living in the west maintain an Islamic Education for our children. Primary and secondary education up to the age of 15/16 may be provided in Muslim schools (which are also very expensive), but as for Higher Education there is no such Islamic Institute. 

Even on the secondary school level on the agenda of Curriculum, we do not have books that deal with the branches of knowledge that are available in secular institutes, such as; Political science, Sociology, Psychology, Pedagogy. Please advise on how we should go about bringing about an Islamic Education system for our Youth in the west (bearing in mind that it is near impossible for us to migrate to Arab/Muslim countries because of the restrictions on immigration etc.).

Praise be to Allah.In order to preserve the structure of the Muslim family in the non-Muslim countries, we need to meet a number of conditions and requirements, both within the home and outside it:Within the home:It is essential for parents to uphold the habit of praying regularly in the mosque ... Continue Reading

He forgot that he did not have wudoo' and he prayed

I forgot that I did not have wudoo' and I prayed. After I finished my prayer, I remembered that. Do I have to repeat my prayer?

Praise be to Allah. Yes, whoever prays forgetting that he does not have wudoo' has to repeat the prayer, because the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «Allah does not accept any prayer if a person breaks his wudoo', until he does ... Continue Reading

Informed about correct direction of qiblah during prayer

What should one who is informed about the correct direction of the qiblah during a prayer?

If there is a congregation praying, and during their prayer they are informed about the right direction of qiblah, they should all turn towards the correct direction. The same is also true for someone praying individually. Whatever part of their prayer has been performed (before changing direction) ... Continue Reading

Islamic Schools in the West- Negative Effect on Students?

Is it true that the person who is used to studying in Islamic schools, and has no previous experience of studying in non-Islamic schools, will never be able to connect with the environment that surrounds him, where most of the people are non-Muslims and that he will grow up shy and will never find any way to succeed either in his academic life or in the workplace? What is your opinion about that?

Praise be to Allah.No rational person doubts that in Western countries there are dangers to the religious commitment and morals of those who live in these countries, and the schools that the children attend pose a serious danger to the students, both male and female, who have no defense against ... Continue Reading

Dhikr and the Muslim Child

How can we teach our children the adhkaar (words of remembrance) to be recited every day and night?

Praise be to Allah.  A child can be taught, from the age of three or four, the adhkaar to be recited in the morning and evening, and when going to sleep, eating and drinking. If a child hears these adhkaar, and memorizes and recites them, this will form a strong bond between his soul and ... Continue Reading

Teaching About the Creator in Simple Terms

How can we help a child to know his Lord?

Praise be to Allah.  A child can be taught about Allah in a suitable manner, according to his level of understanding. He can be told that Allah is One and has no partner. He can be told that He is the Creator of all things, so He is the Creator of the earth, the heavens, people, animals, ... Continue Reading

Dealing With Children Who are Heedless About Prayer

I want to make my children keen to pray, because they will pray once then forget about prayer many times. I always advise them and pray to Allah to guide them. How can I encourage them and make them love prayer?.

Praise be to Allah.Firstly: There is no doubt that prayer is very important and is the most important matter in Islam, as it is the  foundation of religion, the means of success and a sign of piety (taqwa). It is the first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of ... Continue Reading

Raising children in an unrighteous environment

I try my best as a Muslim, but my husband says mean things against Islam, I try explaining things to him but he wont listen, he is educated whereas I am not, I do try and learn about Islam from the Quran and sunnah, but Im not perfect, I have 6 children three over the age of 13 and 3 under 9 years. how should I make myslef a better Muslim? and Instill it in my children as the older ones won't pray all they prayers. Sometimes ok most of the time it brings me down.

Praise be to Allah.Firstly: No matter how far a person is from Islam and its teachings, there still remains in him a kernel of goodness and natural inclination towards the truth, that needs someone to look for it and reach it, and  offer the call to faith and sincere advice. Your ... Continue Reading

Ruling on imitating the kuffaar, and the meaning of the phrase, “What the Muslims think is good is good before Allah”

What is the Islamic ruling on the issue of imitating the kuffaar in their customs and dealings? What are the guidelines concerning that in Islamic sharee'ah? Is every imitation of the actions of the kuffaar regarded as a haraam kind of imitation, knowing that there are many things that the kaafirs do that are not haraam and are not condemned by sharee'ah, where the one who does them does not do them merely to imitate the kuffaar, but because he thinks those things are good, as Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "What the Muslims think is good is good before Allah"?  
Please advise us, may Allah honour you, and please give me a detailed answer and explain to me the guidelines on this matter.

Praise be to Allah.  Firstly: The Muslims have no need to imitate any of the other nations in matters of religious rituals and acts of worship, for Allah has perfected His religion and completed His Favour, and chosen for us Islam as our religion, as He says:  {ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ ... Continue Reading

How should we raise our children?

could you please advise us about how improve our manners, and raise our children to have good manners? As many of the scholars mentioned, they studied under their teachers for years to learn proper manners. I am very concerned because it seems that we are surrounded by bad examples and role models, and the standards of society are very low. I am a revert to Islam so I was not raised with good Islamic manners. I don't have the knowledge or training to be a very good role model. My childrens TV watching is very restricted, but they still interact with cousins and friends who pick up bad words and attitudes from TV. We also educate our children at home. But as much as we shelter them and instruct them, they seem to pick up some of the attitudes of the greater society. I am torn between whether I should continue trying to remain patient and remind them gently, or I should become more strict to enforce better behavior. We would really appreciate any advice that you could offer.

Praise be to Allah.We congratulate you for the blessing that has been bestowed upon you of guidance to Islam, and we ask Allah, may He be exalted, to make us and you steadfast in adhering to this religion until we meet Him when He is pleased with us. We also congratulate you for your keenness to ... Continue Reading

Is it correct to think that fatwas may vary according to time and place?

I read the words: "The scholars are unanimously agreed that fatwas may change according to time, place, local custom and situation so it is essential to take new developments into account". But I am not convinced of this. Is this view correct? I hope that you can answer with evidence from shareeطah and the Sunnah. May Allah reward you with good.

Praise be to Allah.  This principle is expressed by some scholars in the words: "Changing rulings according to changing times is not to be denounced", as it says in Majallat al-Ahkaam al-'Adliyyah al-Maaddah [39]; Sharh al-Qawaa'id al-Fiqhiyyah by al-Zarqa ... Continue Reading

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