How is the Responsibility of Parents in Raising Children Addressed in the Quran?

In the rich and profound teachings of the Holy Quran, the responsibility of parents in raising children holds an exceptionally high and fundamental position. Children are not merely considered gifts from the Almighty, but rather divine trusts (amanah) that require meticulous attention, care, and proper guidance. The Quran addresses various dimensions of upbringing, urging parents to play an active and comprehensive role in their children's development, not only in providing for their material needs but, more importantly, in nurturing their spiritual, moral, and intellectual growth. This significant responsibility forms the bedrock for building a righteous society and a generation committed to divine values. One of the most prominent examples in the Quran that clearly articulates the parental responsibility in upbringing is the story of Luqman the Wise and his counsels to his son, detailed in Surah Luqman. Luqman, without any coercion or compulsion, but rather with profound love and sincere benevolence, guides his son towards the most essential principles of faith and ethics. His first and most fundamental counsel is the prohibition of associating partners with Allah, for he considers polytheism (shirk) to be a 'great injustice.' This underscores that the primary duty of parents is to familiarize their children with Tawhid (monotheism) and the oneness of God, eradicating any polytheistic thoughts from their hearts and minds. This education should commence from an early age, as the belief in God's oneness is the backbone of any religious and ethical upbringing. Subsequently, Luqman advises his son to establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient in the face of adversities. These counsels encompass the practical and social dimensions of upbringing. Establishing prayer symbolizes a continuous connection with Allah and strengthens the spiritual aspect. Parents should gradually introduce their children to the importance of prayer and encourage them to perform this duty through encouragement and accompaniment. Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong signify the children's social responsibility; parents must teach their children not to be indifferent to misconducts and evils but to invite towards goodness and righteousness. This requires cultivating courage, responsibility, and the ability to discern good from evil within them. Furthermore, the advice on patience highlights the importance of teaching resilience and steadfastness in the face of difficulties, as life is always accompanied by challenges, and parents must prepare their children to confront these challenges. The Quran also emphasizes the necessity of maintaining humility and respect towards people, as Luqman tells his son not to turn his cheek from people and not to walk on the earth with arrogance. This illustrates the significance of moral education and cultivating desirable traits such as humility, respect for others, and abstaining from pride and arrogance. Parents must be practical role models for these virtues, teaching these values to their children through their own conduct. Another pivotal verse in this context is Surah At-Tahrim (66:6), which states: "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones." This verse explicitly places the responsibility of protecting the family from divine punishment upon parents. This protection is not merely achieved by providing food and clothing but by proper upbringing, religious education, familiarizing them with divine commands, and inviting them to piety and righteousness. Parents must warn their children against anything that leads to sin and estrangement from Allah and guide them towards the path of salvation. This responsibility transcends worldly matters and is linked to the children's eternal well-being in the hereafter. In addition to direct instruction, the Quran also highlights the importance of parents' prayers and supplications for their children. The stories of prophets like Ibrahim (Abraham) and Zakariya (Zachariah), who pleaded with Allah for righteous and devout offspring (e.g., Surah Al-Furqan 25:74: "And those who say, 'Our Lord, grant us from our wives and our offspring comfort to our eyes and make us leaders for the righteous'"), demonstrate that parents should always pray for their children's guidance and well-being. This prayer itself is a form of effort and an expression of parents' deep concern for their children's spiritual future. Furthermore, the Quran underscores the importance of maintaining justice among children and preventing any form of discrimination. Although there are no direct verses specifically on this matter in the context of upbringing, the general principles of justice and benevolence mentioned throughout the Quran certainly encompass this topic. Parents must attend to the emotional, educational, and material needs of all their children and avoid favoritism to prevent the seeds of resentment and envy from being sown in their hearts. Creating an environment filled with love, respect, and emotional security is another dimension of parental responsibility. In conclusion, the responsibility of parents in raising children from the Quranic perspective is a multifaceted, continuous, and highly vital duty that encompasses creedal, ethical, practical, and social dimensions. This responsibility not only impacts the children's well-being in this world and the hereafter but also plays a fundamental role in shaping a healthy society imbued with divine values. The Quran calls upon parents to nurture this divine trust with love, wisdom, patience, and steadfastness, and by setting themselves as role models, pave the path of guidance and salvation for future generations.