In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Raising children is one of the most important responsibilities in Islam, because a child is not merely the responsibility of the family but also a trust that Allah has given to parents. Islam does not view raising children simply as a way of making them educated or successful individuals. Rather, it is a process through which their faith, character, morality, responsibility, and relationship with other people are developed.

From a Sunni Islamic perspective, parents have a great responsibility toward their children. Allah says: “O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire…” (Qur’an 66:6). This verse indicates that parental responsibility is not limited to providing food, shelter, and financial support. Parents are also responsible for the moral and spiritual development of their children.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, also emphasized this responsibility. In a well-known hadith, he said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” This reminds parents that they will be accountable before Allah for how they raised their children. Therefore, a child is not the property of the parents, but a trust for which they will ultimately be held responsible.

One of the foundations of Islamic upbringing is teaching children about faith. This does not simply mean teaching them how to pray, fast, or recite the Qur’an. It also means developing an awareness of Allah, gratitude, sincerity, responsibility, and good character. From an early age, children should learn that Islam is not merely a collection of rules, but a way of life that shapes a person’s character and relationship with the world.

The Qur’an provides a particularly important example through Luqman’s advice to his son. His advice includes belief in Allah, prayer, encouraging what is good, preventing what is wrong, patience, humility, and good manners. This example demonstrates that Islamic upbringing is not based only on commands and prohibitions. It also involves communication, advice, patience, and gradually developing a child’s understanding.

Another essential element of raising children is the example set by the parents. Children often learn more by observing their parents than by listening to their words. If a parent tells a child to be honest while frequently lying themselves, the child is more likely to imitate the parent’s behavior than their advice. If a parent speaks about the importance of prayer but does not take prayer seriously themselves, it becomes difficult for the child to understand its value.

For this reason, I believe that one of the greatest problems in modern parenting is the lack of personal example. Parents sometimes want their children to be better than they are willing to be themselves. They want their children to be respectful, responsible, religious, and disciplined, but they forget that children observe their behavior every day.

Islam also emphasizes kindness and mercy toward children. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, showed affection toward children, played with them, and treated them with gentleness. This is extremely important because Islamic upbringing should not be based on constant fear. A child should respect their parents, but at the same time should feel loved, safe, and accepted.

This does not mean that Islam rejects discipline. On the contrary, children should be taught boundaries, responsibility, and the consequences of their actions. However, discipline should not turn into humiliation, abuse, or constant intimidation. The purpose of discipline is not to create a child who is simply afraid of their parents, but a person who understands why certain behavior is right or wrong.

It is also important to distinguish between Islamic upbringing and simply imposing a parent’s culture on a child. Not every family tradition is automatically an Islamic ruling. Parents sometimes present their own cultural attitudes as religious requirements, which can lead children to associate Islam with unnecessary restrictions or burdens.

In my subjective opinion, the best form of Islamic upbringing is one in which a child first learns to appreciate the beauty of faith and then gradually learns its obligations and boundaries. If Islam is presented to a child only through phrases such as “you cannot do this,” “this is haram,” or “Allah will punish you,” there is a danger that the child will begin to associate religion exclusively with fear. I believe that children should also learn that Allah is Merciful, that Islam provides meaning and guidance, that prayer can be a source of peace, and that good moral behavior is not merely a burden but a way of becoming a better person.

I also believe that parents must take seriously the modern environment in which children are growing up. Today, children have access to the internet, social media, and enormous amounts of information at much younger ages than previous generations. Because of this, parents cannot expect to protect their children through prohibitions alone. They need to communicate with them, explain why certain things may be harmful, and teach them how to make responsible decisions independently.

Islamic upbringing, therefore, should not create a person who behaves correctly only when their parents are watching. Its goal should be to develop a conscience. When children grow up, parents will no longer be able to control every decision they make. At that point, the values and principles established during childhood will demonstrate their true importance.

I also believe that education should not be neglected. Islam has emphasized the importance of knowledge from its earliest beginnings. Muslim children should be educated in their faith, but they should also receive useful knowledge that enables them to contribute positively to society. Islamic upbringing should not create a conflict between faith and education. On the contrary, an educated person with strong moral values can be a greater benefit to their family and community.

Ultimately, Islamic upbringing is not simply about how many Qur’anic chapters, hadiths, or religious rules a child knows. The true result of upbringing can be seen in their character: whether they are honest, responsible, compassionate, just, humble, and capable of respecting other people.

In my opinion, one of the greatest mistakes parents can make is expecting to raise their children through words alone. Children are primarily raised through example. If parents want religious children, they should demonstrate what it means to live according to their faith. If they want children who respect others, they should respect their children. If they want children who tell the truth, they must be honest themselves. If they want their children to have a relationship with Allah, they must demonstrate through their own lives that Allah is important to them.

Therefore, I see Islamic upbringing as a combination of faith, love, knowledge, discipline, and personal example. A parent is not merely someone who feeds and protects a child, but also their first teacher and one of their most important role models. A child who grows up in a family where faith is practiced through love, justice, and good character is more likely to eventually embrace Islam as a personal conviction and way of life.

Ultimately, children are a trust, and every trust carries responsibility. Parents will not only be accountable for what they provided for their children materially, but also for the values they passed on to them. Therefore, raising children in Islam is much more than a parental duty—it is an act of worship, a responsibility, and an investment in the future of the family and the entire community.