The function of childbearing remains incomplete without its more crucial part of child rearing and upbringing – their education, orientation, character-building and gradual initiation into religion and culture. It is because of this aspect that family care becomes a full-time job. No other institution or even a number of institutions can take care of this function.
“ . . . and be mindful of your duty to God in whose Name you appeal to one another and to (the ties of) The womb”. [Q 4:1]
To be conscious of duty to the ties of the womb as an all-embracing demand includes obligations towards the wife, the children and other relations. “And take care of what is for you” in Surah al-Baqarah also refers to the same function. [Q 2:223] One is enjoined to take care of one’s self and the members of the family.
“O you who believe”, says the Qur’an, “strive to protect yourselves and your wives and children from the Fire”. [Q 44:6] This objective is set forth in the form of prayer in a number of places:
“Our Lord! Grant us in our spouses and our offspring the comfort of our eyes and make us a model for the heedful”. [Q 25:74]
“My Lord! Make me keep up prayer and (also) let my offspring (do so). Our Lord, accept my appeal! Our Lord, forgive me and my parents . . .” [Q 14:40-41]
The family’s role as a basic organ of socialization is referred to by the Prophet in a number of ahadith (traditional sayings) where he has said that every child is born in the nature of Islam and it is his parents who transform him into a Christian, Jew or Magian.
The Prophet has said:
“Of all that a father can give to his children, the best is their good education and training”.
“And whosoever has cared for his three daughters or three sisters and given them a good education and training, treating them with kindness till God makes them stand on their own feet, by God’s grace he has earned for himself a place in paradise”.
Although one’s first responsibility is to one’s children and younger brothers and sisters, this institution of family covers a number of relations, near and distant, according to the circumstances. Care of one’s parents and of the weaker or poorer members of the family has been enjoined again and again by the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
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