The Committed Believer · Raising Children

Islamic Guidelines for Child Rearing and Protection

Explore Islamic teachings on child parties, protection, and parental responsibilities.

6 questions · Medium · about 3 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

6 questions, about 3 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. What is the ruling on holding a small party to encourage a child who has reached seven years old to start praying?

  • It is permissible if treated as a custom and used to encourage prayer. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden because every child-related gathering is a religious festival.
  • It is only allowed after the child has memorized the entire prayer.
  • It is discouraged in all cases because children should not be encouraged with joy.

Why

A small party to encourage a child to pray at age seven is permissible if it is not treated as a repeated religious festival or act of worship in itself. It falls under customs and educational methods, which are generally allowed so long as they do not involve anything corrupt. Encouraging prayer is a valid Islamic aim, and permissible means such as family encouragement, rewards, or a small gathering may be used to help the child love worship.

View source on IslamQA →

2. Why is it beneficial to let children sit with grown-ups in suitable gatherings?

  • It increases their understanding and helps them imitate mature behaviour. (correct answer)
  • It keeps them away from all learning.
  • It is only useful if they remain silent at all times.
  • It replaces the need to teach them manners.

Why

Letting children attend suitable gatherings and sit with adults can help build maturity, understanding, wisdom, and seriousness. It also gives them good examples to imitate and reduces excessive attachment to games and entertainment. This should be part of a broader upbringing that includes teaching good manners, giving children age-appropriate responsibility, avoiding humiliation, encouraging courage, and protecting them from luxury, idleness, and inappropriate habits.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What is one of the best forms of nourishment parents can give a small child?

  • Love and compassion. (correct answer)
  • Smacking and pinching.
  • Ignoring the child’s crying.
  • Food and drink without emotional care.

Why

A small child needs physical care such as food, drink, sleep, and air, but also needs emotional nourishment through love and compassion. Smacking, pinching, harshness, and shaking a young child are harmful and may cause psychological or physical damage. When a child cries, parents should look for the cause, such as hunger, sickness, discomfort, or fear, and respond with mercy. Showing compassion to children is part of Islamic mercy and sound upbringing.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What is one of the best ways parents can invest in their children?

  • Raising them to memorize and love the Qur’an. (correct answer)
  • Giving them material wealth only.
  • Leaving religious learning until adulthood.
  • Relying only on school education.

Why

Raising children to memorize the Qur’an is one of the noblest acts of worship and one of the best good deeds. Parents can begin early by making the child accustomed to hearing Qur’an, reciting near the child, ensuring the child’s food and clothing are halal, and later taking the child to a proficient teacher when they are able to memorize. Encouragement may include suitable rewards or family recognition when the child memorizes a portion of the Qur’an.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What should a father prioritize when choosing a school to protect his child from harmful influences?

  • An Islamic school that is not mixed, if possible. (correct answer)
  • Any school with the highest academic ranking, regardless of religious harm.
  • A mixed school with no parental follow-up.
  • Relying only on school counsellors to protect the child.

Why

A father should choose the school that is best for the child’s religion, morals, and education, and farthest from corruption. The preferred option is an Islamic school that is not mixed, even if it costs more or requires extra effort. If that is not possible, homeschooling may be chosen even if the academic level is somewhat lower, because protecting religious commitment and morals takes precedence. If no safer option exists and the child must attend a harmful school environment, the parents must closely follow up and work to counter the causes of corruption.

View source on IslamQA →

6. What is the father’s role in his household according to Islamic teachings?

  • He is a shepherd responsible for guiding and protecting his household. (correct answer)
  • He only provides material needs.
  • He may ignore religious problems once children reach puberty.
  • He should leave all religious instruction to others.

Why

A father is responsible for guiding, teaching, and protecting his household. If children reach puberty, they become accountable, but this does not mean the parents no longer advise them or enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, especially if the children still live in the home. The father should not allow evils in the house and should continue advising with wisdom. However, if he is obliged to pray in congregation at the mosque because he can hear the adhan, he should not miss that obligation merely to lead his family at home; he should follow up with them by other means.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Raising Children

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.