In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
We should have fear for our children especially those who live in societies in which values are distant from Islamic values, even in the so called Islamic countries. This fear, however, should not lead us to despair but rather should lead us to take action. Allah gave the believers a model in the life of the wife of Fir`aun, Asiyah. Although she lived with the tyrant in his palace, she was patient and firm in her faith.
First and foremost, we should shut the doors to corruption as much as we can. One big mistake parents do is to give their children electronics, especially smartphones and iPads (and the like) from an early age and allowing their young children to hook in with social media and internet. You are not putting your children behind if you don't give them this technology. In fact, you are putting them behind in social and learning development because all they do with technology is to watch more useless videos, listen to music, chat and text messages, and play games. These devices that you give your children, in fact, is worse than TV because you can't possibly know everything that they do with these devices -- what they read, watch, listen, and who all their friends are.
Bear in mind that children are like sponges -- they absorb things very fast. So, be very careful what you expose them to.
Children need to be kept busy with activities in order to keep them out of trouble. However, they will be in more trouble when they get hook with electronic games and social media. So if your children are already hooked with these stuff, it's time to remove these things from them. With firmness and du'a, it is not difficult. You must try. Provide them with healthy substitutes. Arrange and involve them in group activities according to their age. These activities should be enjoyable and safe from any harm.
Some of the things that should be given to our children from an early age is the Qur'an. Find a qualified teacher with good manners to teach them and help them memorize the Qur'an. Once they develop the love for the Qur'an, they will not concern themselves with useless things. Give them a portion of adhkar to read and other materials that which illuminates their minds (e.g. seerah, stories of the prophets and the pious, etc). Interest them in Islamic projects -- like learning Arabic calligraphy. Such things will keep them very busy. Take them to visit Makkah and Madinah (for umrah or hajj) and third world Islamic countries, if you can afford it. This will teach them to appreciate what they have and their life of ease and comfort.
If it is possible to move to an environment which is better for your children then do that as long as that does not lead us to neglect any responsibility you have in the place where you are currently living. Otherwise you should remain where you are and be firm in raising a Muslim family. May Allah grant you tawfiq.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًۭا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ﴿٦﴾ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٧[Qur'an At-Tahrim 66:6-7]
O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. (6) O you who have disbelieved, make no excuses that Day. You will only be recompensed for what you used to do. (7)
May Allah protect our children and our families. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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