The Rat Race

By Muftī Ismail Moosa (may Allāh Ta’ālā preserve him)

You do not have to make your child a Ḥāfiḍ/Ḥāfiḍa just because your nephew/niece completed their Ḥifḍ.

Whilst it is pleasing to see the great interest in memorizing the Qur’ān, we should not forget about the priorities that are incumbent upon us before we oblige our young children to embark on this noble but arduous journey of Ḥifdh al-Qur’ān.

When your child is young, it is more important for you to build a strong connection and relationship with your child. This is accomplished by spending quality time with the child. Play with your child, have fun with your child, and create memorable moments in the life of that young human being.  Below the age of seven, allow the child to play. After seven, encourage them to pray.

Whilst the child is so young, your concentration should be on the child’s every emotion.

During this time, the main focus should be in inculcating within the child noble qualities and good character. Your attention should be on the mannerisms, behavior and personality of that growing individual. Teaching good character has been described in the Ḥadīth as being the best gift that one can give to his children. (Jāmi’ at-Tirmīdhi, 3 / 503)

As the child reaches the age of seven, it is important for the child to learn:

• Correct ‘Aqīdah,
• To recite the Qur’ān correctly (fulfilling the rules of Tajwīd),
• The important laws and the method of ablution and prayers.

Training to child to become punctual on prayers has been advised by the Prophet ﷺ. (Sunan Abī Dawūd, 1 / 367)

We are raising a good human and a pious Muslim. That is our duty and responsibility. That is the beauty and that is what is obligatory.

Once the foundation is solid and the roots are strong, now the child can start to memorize slowly, according to his ability. First teach the obligatory, then focus on the complementary. Be wise, and know what to prioritize.

In order to show off and impress others, please do not force the innocent child to join a rat race or enter into a competition. Please do not deprive the child of his childhood and deny him the opportunity of bonding with his parents and feeling the love.

Alternatively, your intentions might be noble, but that should not then cause the child to rebel.

It should not be that, in order to see immediate results which are temporary, we cause permanent damage that is so unnecessary. In order to charm, do not cause more harm.

All the child to learn as his own pace, and do not force him in this rate race. The child does not have to compete, in order to complete.

‘Āisha (may Allāh Ta’ālā be pleased with her) went with her toys. Thereafter, she became the greatest scholar and superseded the boys.

Yes, if your child is a genius and has a high intellectual acumen and great maturity, then that is different. But then, they learn with no effort. And voluntarily the

Remember, there is a time and place for everything. The child will memorize the Qur’ān when the time is right. And if, in the unlikely situation, the child does not complete his Ḥifḍh, but you thought him and trained him to carry out his obligations, then you have fulfilled your responsibility. And if you taught the child good manners, then you have given them the greatest gift, and hence, you are a successful parent.

If you really want, then rather you as a parent should recite the Qur’ān, close to where they are having fun.