10 Ways to Educate Children in Islam that are Right and in Accordance with the Sunnah

Kapanlagi.com - Not only worship, it turns out that Islam also teaches its servants to educate children according to the sunnah and Islamic law. Especially for those of you who are newly embarking on the journey of married life. As parents, of course, children are an invaluable gift. In Islam itself, children are entrusted by Allah SWT to chosen parents. So educating children in Islam is one of the right ways to guide them on the right path.

Teaching children in an Islamic way must be in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. There are many messages from the Prophet Muhammad to us to educate children correctly, both in terms of worship and daily life. This is because children are a guarantee for us to obtain blessings in this world and in the hereafter. Children are the ones who guide us towards the heaven of Allah SWT.

But what are the ways to educate children in a good and proper Islamic manner? According to various sources, here are 10 ways to educate children in accordance with the Sunnah and that parents must know. Let's check it out, KLovers.

1. Listening to the Quran Since in the Womb

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Listening to something for children is not in vain, KLovers. In fact, babies in the womb can hear at 8 weeks and will be perfect at 24 weeks. At moments like this, don't miss the opportunity to teach children to recognize their Lord by playing them the holy verses of the Quran. This will be even more effective and beneficial if the mother reads it directly.

This is because the baby can hear through the amniotic fluid. By the power of Allah, the amniotic fluid turns out to be a medium for the fetus to hear everything around it. Through the placenta, the baby starts to hear sounds. The fetus in the womb can hear the mother's heartbeat and the sound of her intestines, and by the 25th week, the baby can already hear sounds from outside the womb.

Even if you want your child to become a hafidz (someone who has memorized the Quran), you can play juz 1 from birth to 30 days old. Then continue with juz 2 at 2 months old, and so on until completing juz 30 at 2 and a half years old. This way, the child will truly get used to it and make it easier for you to teach the contents of the Quran. You can also add telling Islamic stories related to the Quran.

2. Teaching the Basics of Islam

Then the second way to educate children in Islam is by teaching them the basics of Islam. In educating children in Islam, of course, you must start introducing the basics of Islam to them. This is done to instill their love for Islam and Allah SWT. In fact, this is also in accordance with the hadith from Ibn Abbas which says:

"Open the tongues of your children for the first time with the phrase 'Laila ha illaallah'. And when they are about to die, recite 'Lailaha-illallah'. Surely whoever starts and ends their conversation with 'Laila ha illallah', then lives for a thousand years, no matter what sins, will not be questioned." (H.R Ibn Abbas)

In addition, in the book Al Amali by Imam Al Baqir and Imam ash Shadiq also mention the initial stages of introducing children to Allah SWT. In the hadith, it is mentioned that at the age of 3 years, teach the phrase of Tawhid 'Laila ha illallah' seven times. Then when the child reaches the age of 3 years and 7 months, teach the child the phrase 'Muhammad Rasullullah'.

By implementing these two phrases, it is hoped that the child can also instill their love for Allah SWT and Prophet Muhammad SAW. In addition, you can also instill the child's love for His Messenger by telling stories of the Prophets and Messengers. Of course, this can be made into a bedtime storytelling habit.

3. Establishing Prayer

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Then another way to educate children according to Islam is by teaching them how to establish prayer. Start from an early age to teach your children how to pray. Even if they don't always perform prayer fully and attentively, this can train them on the movements of prayer. When the child understands the right and left directions, you can teach them about the direction of the qibla. After that, try to start inviting them to pray.

Then slowly teach your children the proper way to perform ablution. Of course, you must provide good guidance and not confuse the child. When your child is seven years old, you can instruct them to join in performing prayer. This is also stated in a Hadith from Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

"Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, discipline them for neglecting it after they are ten years old, and separate their sleeping place." (Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud)

4. Training to Fast

Not only performing prayers, you also have to train children by fasting, which is also one of the obligatory acts of worship. When the month of Ramadan arrives, you can involve children in fasting. Invite children to wake up for suhoor. However, in Indonesia there is also a term for half-day fasting. You can also teach children to fast for half a day at first.

However, you also have to teach them to fast the full day. In addition, during fasting, you can also explain why fasting is necessary, or the benefits of fasting. Although not all young children can understand it, this input can be recorded in their memory.

5. Giving a Good Name

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A name is a prayer from parents for their future child. And giving a beautiful name with a good meaning will be a prayer for the future of the child. Even in a hadith, it is mentioned that showing love, educating, and respecting a child through their nickname.

"Honor your children and pay attention to their education because your children are a gift from Allah to you" (HR Ibnu Majah).

6. Getting Used to Being Simple

Getting children used to being simple is one way to educate them in Islam. In fact, this is also an implementation of the example set by the Prophet Muhammad. He was so special in the eyes of Muslims, angels, and to Allah SWT.

Although the Prophet had the power to lead the Muslim community at that time, he never relied on that power for personal gain. When hungry, he chose to endure it rather than asking to be served. The Prophet also taught to wear simple clothes, without the need for long flowing fabric that shows off arrogance.

Therefore, we must also apply ourselves to live simply, and even teach our children to live simply. Because worldly possessions will only make us sinful if used in the wrong way, such as indulging in luxuries and being arrogant towards fellow human beings.

7. Pay Attention to Children's Social Circle

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The next way to educate children in Islam is by paying attention to their social circle. In today's modern age, free association is no longer a taboo. The development of fashion and popular lifestyles can lead children to choose the wrong friends and paths in life. To avoid this, as parents, you must know and pay attention to your children's social interactions and who they associate with. Even in social interactions, the Prophet Muhammad also gave us a message to be careful in choosing a friend. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The example of a good friend and a bad friend is like that of a seller of perfume and a blower of fire.' This hadith means that if your children befriend a positive environment, it will certainly bring forth a good aura in their future. However, if your children are in a negative environment, it may lead them towards a negative path as well.

8. Reuniting Children with Their Mother

Mother is the best teacher in this world, even becoming a path to heaven for their children. Separating a child from their mother is not good in Islam, even something that Allah SWT does not like. In a hadith, it is explained how those who separate a child from their mother will be separated from their loved ones on the Day of Judgment.

Abu Ayyub said, the Prophet once said: "Whoever separates a mother from her child, surely Allah will separate him from the people he loves on the Day of Judgment."

9. Teaching Children about Charity and Sharing

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Islam teaches to share a lot, both with the capable and the incapable. The Prophet taught this many times, like Uthman bin 'Affan whose wealth is still preserved until now, and continued by his descendants.

Allah's promise is certain, the more we share, the more Allah will provide sustenance to His servants, in any form and unexpectedly. Even with various things, we will be given health and also a sense of peace for the soul and body.

10. Teach Speaking Honestly and Keeping Promises

And the last way to educate children in Islam is by teaching them to speak honestly and keep promises. By teaching children to speak honestly and keep promises, this will be ingrained in them until adulthood to become a good person in this world and the hereafter. In fact, this will teach them to become a good leader for the family and the social environment.

Those are 10 ways to educate children in Islam that are in accordance with Islamic law. Although it is quite difficult to educate children in Islam, especially in this era. However, by guiding them well from an early age, this will be able to guide them and their parents to the paradise of Allah SWT. And be kept away from various paths that can mislead us in this world and the hereafter.

(kpl/dhm)