As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,
Today’s khutbah focuses on a crucial topic — the responsibility of parents towards their children, especially as we enter the summer holiday period. With six weeks of school holidays just starting in London, this is an opportunity for us to reconnect with our children and fulfill our duties towards them.
Children are among the greatest blessings from Allah ﷻ. Ask those who have longed for children, and they will tell you what a gift they truly are. But with blessings come responsibilities. As parents, we are accountable before Allah for the upbringing of our children.
Allah ﷻ reminds us in the Qur’an:
“O you who believe! 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.”
(Surah At-Tahrim 66:6)
We are commanded not only to save ourselves from Hellfire but also to protect our families — including our children — from it. This is done by obeying Allah’s commands and avoiding His prohibitions.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
Just as a shepherd protects and guides his flock, we must nurture and protect our families. If we neglect our roles, there are forces — especially in today’s digital age — that will lead them astray. The internet, social media, and devices are filled with harmful content that children can access even in private spaces. Therefore, we must be present, loving, and wise in how we raise them.
Allah ﷻ recorded the wise counsel of Luqman to his son in the Qur’an, as a timeless lesson for all parents:
“O my dear son, do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, associating others with Him is a great injustice.”
Luqman continues by teaching his son about:
The importance of gratitude to Allah
The power of even the smallest deed being recorded
Establishing prayer
Encouraging good and forbidding evil
Practicing patience in trials
Avoiding arrogance and pride
Speaking humbly and moderately
These teachings are comprehensive, touching on belief, worship, character, and conduct. They are a model for how we should educate our own children — not just academically, but spiritually and morally.
Unfortunately, many communities still undervalue daughters. But the Prophet ﷺ gave glad tidings to those who raise them well:
“Whoever raises two daughters until they reach maturity will be with me like this on the Day of Judgement,”
and he held his fingers close together.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
In another narration:
“Whoever has three daughters, and he provides for them, clothes them, and shows mercy to them, they will be a shield for him from the Hellfire.”
Let us never forget the honour and reward that come with raising righteous daughters.
The Prophet ﷺ said that there are three people whose duʿā is never rejected:
The oppressed
The traveler
A parent's duʿā for their child
We cannot always watch over them, but we can always pray for them. Pray for their guidance, their success in this world and the hereafter, their protection from evil, and for them to become pious and knowledgeable Muslims.
This holiday season, make time for your children:
Take them to the masjid
Enroll them in Islamic education programs
Spend quality time with them in learning and playing
Consider spiritually beneficial trips like ʿUmrah, which is more accessible than ever
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best gift a father can give to his child is good upbringing.”
Let us reflect on this and use this time wisely.
May Allah ﷻ give us the strength to fulfill our responsibilities, to raise righteous children, and to make our families a source of peace and joy in this life and the next. Āmīn.
