This book is meant to recognize the parenthood problems of the TWENTYFIRST CENTURY and lay down their solutions, in the light of The Holy Qur¿an, the Latest Edition of the Holy Gospels of God; so that, we may live in peace, harmony, and happiness in at least our own Sweet Homes; if not on this whole Planet. The parenthood of this generation like any previous generation has the responsibility to become teachers and guides for their Children---who, in turn will soon be the proud parents of their own coming generations. We must make every effort and submit to our All-Merciful Lord God, to follow His guidance as revealed to all of His Holy Prophets, through His Holy Books.
Parenthood and Qur'anic Guidance
A 21st Century PerspectiveBy Syed Iftikhar HaiderAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Syed Iftikhar Haider
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4389-2386-4Contents
Introduction...................................................................1Section One Parenthood Of The Holy Prophets....................................5Chapter One Parenthood Of Prophet Adam And Eve.................................7Chapter Two Parenthood During Holy Prophet Noah................................12Chapter Three Parenthood During Holy Prophet Abraham...........................15Chapter Four Parenthood During Holy Prophet Jacob..............................24Chapter Five Parenthood During Holy Prophet Moses..............................41Chapter Six Parenthood During Holy Prophet Zakriya.............................52Chapter Seven Parenthood Of Holy Prophet Jesus Son Of Mary.....................57Chapter Eight Parenthood, During Holy Prophet Mohammed.........................62Chapter Nine Parenthood Of Imam Ali Bin Abu-talib..............................72Chapter Ten The Will Of Luqman Hakeem..........................................85Section Two Summary Of Guidance For Parents And Children.......................89Part-I, Guidance For Parents...................................................91Part-II, Guidance For Children.................................................100Section Three Qur'anic Ayahs About Parents And Children........................109Section Four Twenty First Century Applications.................................123Part-I, Introduction...........................................................125Part-II, Problems Faced By Parents.............................................128Part-III, Problems Faced By Children...........................................137Books By The Author............................................................147
Chapter One
PARENTHOOD OF PROPHET ADAM AND EVE
Since God the Supreme Creator of the entire Universe is the One who created ADAM and EVE without parents; thus it became His own Merciful Blessings to perform the "Parenthood" role for both of them.
During their early childhood period, He kept them in a "Paradise" like place, where there was plenty of "food", "drinks" and "comfort" available with in their reach".
There were no "enemies" except one "Satan", who was only interested in making them "disobey God" and thus degrade them in His eyes.
In that Garden, there was also a kind of "PLANT" which if eaten, could have produced "undesirable effects" on the children. Therefore, setting a standard of good parenthood, of "warning and advising", they were "guided" at every step.
See the details of their story for yourself in Qur'an, Ayah : 2 : 35-39 / 7 : 19-27 / 20 : 115-125. and notice that how many principles of parent children relationship are expressed in these few Ayah of Qur'an, the book of Wisdom. GOD says,
"Eat and drink out of Paradise whatever you like, but do not go near this tree, otherwise you will become one of those, who brings "harm to their own self", "And be aware of Satan." "He is your and your wife's enemy". "He might not get you both turned out of this Paradise" and place you in a "life of Hardship". Here you are "living in comfort" and you "never remain hungry". You "do not need clothes. You "do not remain thirsty" "nor do you burn in Sun."-
But "Satan", through his "cunningness" "misguided them to make a slip;" and consequently got them "out of paradise". "Satan created a doubt in their heart and betrayed them, to reveal their private parts to them.
He said, "O! Adam! Let me show you a tree. If you eat out of it,
(1) You will live eternal life. - (this is every human being's natural desire.)
(2) You will get such a kingdom which will never get lost - (Every human wants this)
(3) Your GOD has stopped you from eating out of this plant so that you might not become an angel or live an eternal life.
(4) He swore to them that he was only their well wisher." This is how Satan (in spite of God's warnings to Adam and Eve) deceived them and dragged them towards a neglect and so they could not keep their promise.
After they ate out of that plant; then their private parts became noticeable to them; and with shame they started covering themselves with the leaves of Paradise."
(NOTE:-The chemistry of the tree was probably such that it triggered their puberty glands much earlier than they were supposed to be; and thus made Adam and Eve, adult enough to go to Earth much earlier than they were originally scheduled. Otherwise, they were created to live on the Earth to begin with.)
Then their "Lord God" called them and admonished them, "Did I not warn you that do not go near this plant and Satan is your open Enemy "
Then Adam (in this state of shame and sorrow was taught by GOD some words of repentance, so he prayed:
"O! Our Lord God! We have done harm) to our selves, if you will not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will be doomed."
So GOD forgave them. GOD surely is forgiving and Merciful.
Before sending these (now grown up adults) to live their independent "matrimonial life" on this Earth, GOD gave them this sermon,
"Now you both go from here to, where some groups of you will be enemies of the other groups. You will have to live there on the Earth up to a predetermined time. And there you will get, from now on, all your sustenance of Life. That is where now you will have to live and that is where you will have to die, and from the same Earth you will be raised back to life again."
"So when my guidance would come to you; then any one who follows my guidance, will neither go astray nor will he suffer. He will neither have any fear nor any grief."
"But whoever will turn his face away from this guidance, will suffer hardships and will rise blind on the day of judgment. He will then ask GOD, O! My Lord God! Why have I been made to rise as blind? I was able to see very well during my lifetime. GOD, will reply, This has happened because when my guidance came, then you ignored it , and so will you be ignored now.- These will be the People of Fire, who will live in it for Ever and Ever."
From the bringing up of this very first male and female child by GOD, - we can learn some of the fundamental responsibilities of Parenthood. Let us sum up few of these that we have learned from the above mentioned Ayah of Qur'an.
GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS
1. You give them birth, so you nourish them.
2. Give them a comfortable place to live during childhood.
3. Provide them with their needs of livelihood.
4. Protect them from the harmful items.
5. Keep on giving warnings and advise.
6. Explain the reasons for any prohibition or advice.
7. Let them be aware of all kinds of enemies specially, SATAN.
8. Warn them of the cunningness of the enemies, especially those, who come in the guise of well-wishers.
9. Make them aware of the traps of our own set of desires, such as, desiring eternal life; wishing the status of kings; acquiring the powers of angels etc. Our own weakness based on our desires is mostly used by Satan to misguide us.
10. Advise them to thank for the blessings of GOD by remaining steadfast on the right path.
11. Warn them with reasons about the harm of neglecting the parent's advice.
12. Admonish them if they commit mistake and...