Do not be negligent of your Children’s Character
By Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Saheb
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We often pursue all the avenues for the success of our children. Some of us give them secular education, some impart religious education whilst others ensure that our children acquire some skill or profession. As for fostering the children physically, even the animals nurse their young. If the children fall ill, thousands are spent on their medical costs. In short, all of our money, luxuries and comforts are sacrificed in favour of our children. But do we ever sacrifice a fraction of the child’s life or a month every year or at least one week to enable the child to spiritually enhance his character in the company of a pious person?

If anyone does think about the character of the child, he mentions a few words of advice to the child but be warned that the admonishment of an ordinary person is not sufficient. Experience has proven that the advice of an ordinary person is likely to be less beneficial.

The mystery lying behind the afore-mentioned fact is that a person’s speech will only take effect when he himself practises upon what he preaches. This is so because without action (amal) the tone of the speech lacks dynamism and force. And dynamism and force are the most indispensable ingredients of an impressive speech. The dynamism of the Noble Qur’ân was one of the chief factors which slashed the spirits of the Arabs once they heard the recitation of the Qur’ân.

Therefore, just as how parents employ a tutor or master for the education of their children, at the same time, it is imperative upon them to pursue a patron (guardian saint). They should send their children to him every now and again and bear the expenses etc. of sending them as well. So tell me, how many Muslims have made concrete arrangements in this regard? The main reason for such indolence and negligence is that people have failed to grasp the indispensability and importance of this matter.