I believe that parenting is a serious job which must be undertaken consciously; clearly understanding what it entails. Children have a right to have good parents who can be role models for them and who can not only teach them the tools to succeed in this life, but also to take from the treasures of Allah and succeed in the life to come. Whether you like it or not, you are your child's role model. Your choice is to decide what kind of role model you want to be - one that they can look up to or one that they have to look down on. Children listen with their eyes. They don't care what you say until they see what you do. Today, young Muslim parents are anxious to ensure that their children are brought up as practicing Muslims and are a credit to themselves and their parents. This little book is a consolidation of all the things that I have said to people in answer to their questions.

This book is one of the many Islamic publications distributed by Ahlulbayt Organization throughout the world in different languages with the aim of conveying the message of Islam to the people of the world. Ahlulbayt Organization (www.shia.es) is a registered Organization that operates and is sustained through collaborative efforts of volunteers in many countries around the world, and it welcomes your involvement and support. Its objectives are numerous, yet its main goal is to spread the truth about the Islamic faith in general and the Shi`a School of Thought in particular due to the latter being misrepresented, misunderstood and its tenets often assaulted by many ignorant folks, Muslims and non-Muslims. Organization's purpose is to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge through a global medium, the Internet, to locations where such resources are not commonly or easily accessible or are resented, resisted and fought! In addition, For a complete list of our published books please refer to our website (www.shia.es) or send us an email to [email protected]

Islam places great emphasis on the child, right from infancy to the age of puberty. The reason for this is to prepare him to become a good member of the community. Children learn more by example than by words. Telling our children what to do and not showing them by a good example is a hypocritical act and drives children to confusion and away from us. It is for this reason we are presenting this booklet as a guideline for those parents who are concerned about their present and future offspring

This book is one of the many Islamic publications distributed by Mustafa Organization throughout the world in different languages with the aim of conveying the message of Islam to the people of the world. Mustafa Organization is a registered Organization that operates and is sustained through collaborative efforts of volunteers in many countries around the world, and it welcomes your involvement and support. Its objectives are numerous, yet its main goal is to spread the truth about the Islamic faith in general and the Shi`a School of Thought in particular due to the latter being misrepresented, misunderstood and its tenets often assaulted by many ignorant folks, Muslims and non-Muslims. Organization's purpose is to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge through a global medium, the Internet, to locations where such resources are not commonly or easily accessible or are resented, resisted and fought!

All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, the [One Who] Sustains the Heavens and Earths, Director of all that is created, who sent the Messengers (may the peace and blessings of Allah beupon all of them) to rational beings, to guide them and explain the religious laws to them with clearproofs and undeniable arguments. I praise Him for all of His bounties. I ask Him to increase HisGrace and Generosity. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, whohas no partner, the One, Who Subdues, the Generous, the Forgiving. I bear witness that our leaderMuhammad is His servant and Messenger, His beloved and dear one, the best of all creation. Hewas honoured with the Glorious Qur'an that has been an enduring miracle throughout the years.He was also sent with his guiding Sunnah that shows the way for those who seek guidance. Ourleader Muhammad has been particularised with the characteristic of eloquent and pithy speech, and simplicity and ease in the religion. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, theother Prophets and Messengers, all of their families and the rest of the righteous.NO Copyrights!!!This book can be printed or reproduced or utilized in any form or by anyelectronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, without permission from the publisherfor the sake of spreading the True teachings of Isl

This book is based not only on years of specialised study in this field but also reflects my own personal experiences in a family filled with children over 30 years of married life. I was brought up in a conservative and deeply religious family in the Indian subcontinent. I had my own turbulent experiences of helping my wife raise our own six children, initially in a simple Asian/African community in Kenya, and later in the complex multicultural environment of Britain.Through the progress of my progeny from school to university, I learned of the British educational system, from the egalitarian approach of modern comprehensive schools, an idealistic concept often defeated by lack of funding, to the elitist and successful private sector which insists on rigorous discipline, tradition and high academic achievement.Life in Britain opens the door to a myriad of contrasts in value systems, customs, races and beliefs. The Muslim discovers that his Islamic values and faith are not only alien to the dominant western culture throughout the society, but that the two insist on locking horns in battle. This struggle of two opposing yet equally dogmatic belief systems engulfs and threatens to drown the Muslims. Some fortunate ones swim through the ocean of parenthood with smiling faces, having successfully negotiated the obstacles thrown their way.They smile because not only have they survived the test with their own faith and values intact, but have also succeeded in transmitting their beliefs and norms to their children. Imagine the content and sense of achievement parents must feel when observing their adult children who too share the same love and devotion to the Mosque, the Quran and the many Islamic precepts. In a world obsessed with materialism and denial of God, this is truly a great achievement.Unhappily there are many more parents who flounder and sink, who do not share this sense of achievement and jubilation, and who weep with sorrow and failure when observing their own offspring: aged parents confronted with the dreadful spectacle of their indecently dressed daughter going to the pub with her arms around her current boyfriend, or their beloved son who buys the attentions of street women and even fathers illegitimate children. These parents feel as if the earth is dropping from under their feet and they are being swallowed by quicksand, powerless and helpless. They wish they could have a second chance at raising their children but there is never a second chance.This small booklet is presented to those young men and women beginning the long journey of parenthood, in the hope that they may never shed the tears of the defeated.