The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was delivering a khutbah when Hasan and Husayn came wearing red shirts, walking and tripping. He descended from the minbar, picked them both up, and placed them in his lap. He ﷺ said: ‘Allah spoke the truth when He said:
إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
Indeed, your wealth and your children are only a trial for you (at-Taghabun 15).
I looked at these two boys walking and tripping and I could not be patient, even I cut short my speech to pick them up.’ (Tirmidhī)
Many parents will be familar with such a scene.
Our children, especially when they are are babies or toddlers, fill us with delight. It seems that not a day passes without some new milestone being achieved. My son, now 10 weeks old, looks for interaction and has a ready smile and facial expressions that could easily captivate you for hours. Older children may be pursuing or have gained achievements that we are proud of.
Yet despite the great responsibility towards them, we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted for we have to remember that our Deen is a complete one and we have many responsibilities that need to be discharged. The greatest responsibility of all is the one to Allah and His messenger ﷺ and struggling in His way.
It is something that He reminds us in no uncertain terms:
قُلْ إِن كَانَ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلٌ ٱقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَـٰرَةٌۭ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَـٰكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَآ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَجِهَادٍۢ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Say, (O Prophet): ‘If your parents and children and siblings and spouses and extended family and the wealth you have acquired and the trade you fear will decline and the homes you cherish—(if all these) are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and struggling in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about His Will. Allah does not guide the rebellious people.’ (at-Tawbah 24)
May Allah preserve us all on His path and protect us from the fitna that may arise from our children. Ameen.
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