بسم الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We tell our children not to waste their time. But do they really understand what not wasting time means. They don't. A lot of adults don't. If they do, we would be another best generation. We wouldn't see people having TV on 24 hours a day, surfing the internet aimlessly, listening to music, passing time on YM or FB, or sitting smoking Shisha Hookah. Instead, they would be earning a living and if they are not doing that, they would be gathering good deeds.
Most of us have curiosities. These curiosities and our desires dictate our moves. That is why you see many children (even adults) on the internet (and TV) for most of their awake time! For someone who is with Allah, his move is dictated by what Allah wants him to do at that moment, not a desire to fulfill a curiosity. Even if it is nothing haram, he would do no less than the optimal thing that he can do for Allah at that moment.
You want to raise your children so they know Allah. Because when they know Allah, they will love Allah, and when they love Allah, they will do what Allah wants them to do and it will be easy for them to do what Allah wants them to do. It is a huge challenge to raise children in this high technological era, no doubt, but you have to be strong and you have to start somewhere. That somewhere starts at removing them from these modern addictions (of course you have to use good wisdom to be effective) and you have to keep trying. If you fail the first time, the second time, the third time, keep trying. Sometimes you can be alone on this. Make du'a.
Their hearts need to be emptied of the images of created things for the knowledge of Allah to enter into their hearts. Knowledge of Allah is valuable and anything of value requires big payment, big sacrifices and hard work.
Teach your children this hadith.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Take advantage of five matters before five matters--you youth before you before old; and your health before you fall sick; and your riches before you become poor; your free time before you become busy; and your life before your death."
BTW, when you tell your children not to waste their time and read Qur'an instead, it might help them to understand you and your dilemma by asking them, "would you like to have parents who waste their time on the internet, watching movies, listening to music, playing video games or sitting smoking Shisha?" You will be amazed by their looks and their answers.
May Allah bless our children, our families, our teachers and all the Muslims. Ameen, Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
