Children are special in Islam. Every child is a gift from Allah. Every little boy and every little girl is loved by Allah. Islam gives many rights to children. These rights are rules from Allah that must be followed by all parents, elders, teachers, and even the government. These rights help children to grow in a happy and safe way.
Just like flowers need water, sunlight, and care to grow, children need love, food, safety, and kindness to grow well. In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed us how to treat children with love and care. He always smiled at children. He hugged them. He prayed for them. He told people to be gentle with them. He said, “He is not one of us who is not kind to children.” This shows us how important children are in Islam.
The First Right: A Good Family
The first right of a child in Islam is the right to be born into a good family. When a mother and father get married in Islam, they are told to make a happy and kind home. The child should come into a family that loves Allah and follows Islam. The parents should love each other and care for their home.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Choose a good mother for your child.” This means that both the mother and father must be good Muslims who can teach their children well.
The Right to Life
The second right is the right to life. No one can harm a child. No one can hurt a baby. Islam does not allow anyone to stop a baby from being born. Every baby has the right to live. Allah gives life, and only Allah can take it away.
The Quran says that killing a child is a big sin. Allah becomes very angry when someone hurts children. All children have the right to live in safety and peace.
The Right to a Good Name
The third right is the right to be given a good name. When a baby is born, the parents must give the baby a nice name. The name should have a good meaning. It should not be a bad word or a joke.
The Prophet ﷺ told us to give children beautiful names. He liked names like Abdullah (servant of Allah), Ibrahim, Maryam, Fatima, and Aisha. A good name makes the child happy and proud.
The Right to Love and Care
The fourth right is the right to love and care. Children must be loved. They must be hugged, kissed, and smiled at. They must be told that they are special. Parents must show love every day.
The Prophet ﷺ kissed his grandsons, Hasan and Husayn. He carried them on his back. He played with them.
The Right to Be Fed, Clothed, and Educated
The fifth right is the right to be fed and clothed. Every child must get food and water. They must be given clothes to wear. If it is cold, they must have warm clothes. If it is hot, they must have light clothes.
The sixth right is the right to learn. Learning is very important in Islam. Boys and girls must be given the chance to go to school. They must be taught how to read, write, count, and learn about the world. They must also learn the Quran and Hadith.
The Right to Play and Be Treated Fairly
The seventh right is the right to play. Yes, playing is also important! Children must be allowed to play and have fun.
The eighth right is the right to be treated fairly. All children must be treated the same.
The Right to Health, Respect, and Religion
The ninth right is the right to health and safety.
The tenth right is the right to be respected.
The eleventh right is the right to religion.
The Right to Be Protected, Have a Home, and Express Feelings
The twelfth right is the right to be protected from bad things.
The thirteenth right is the right to have a home.
The fourteenth right is the right to express feelings.
The Right to Ask Questions, Privacy, and Forgiveness
The fifteenth right is the right to ask questions.
The sixteenth right is the right to privacy.
The seventeenth right is the right to be forgiven.
The Right to Grow as Good Muslims
The eighteenth right is the right to grow into good Muslims.
The nineteenth right is the right to be proud of who they are.
The last right is the right to a bright future.
Ameen
In the end, children are a great blessing. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Children are the joy of the heart.” When we see a child, we smile. When we hear them laugh, we feel happy. Islam protects children and gives them rights from birth.
Let us all remember these rights. Let us be good to every child. Let us love them, teach them, and help them grow. If we do that, Allah will be happy with us, and the children will grow up to be strong, kind Muslims. Ameen.