[multilanguage_switcher]

One of the very urgent and complex questions simultaneously is the question of parents who live in a majority non-Muslim society: “How do we preserve the religious identity of our sons?”

In short – The subject requires a thorough explanation-. We summarize the answer in the following points:

1) Religion should be a priority for parents: in their actions, educating and guiding sons. It is transmitted to them automatically, and religion becomes the first reference in knowing right from wrong. And this is evident by daily example, not by advice only. Young children can analyze their parents’ behaviour, understand its origins, and imitate them.

The parents’ righteousness-صلاح is pivotal in the children’s righteousness and guidance. 

Righteousness is not only prayer and dhikr, as much as it is achieving Allah’s piety-تقوى الله in dealings, observing the trustworthiness and responsibility of raising the sons, not only caring for them (by providing food and drink).

Allah Almighty mentioned on the authority of Luqman that he was admonishing his son, as the father was directing his son with advice and caution to refine his morals. (Righteousness) is to be on what Allah wants in all your affairs.

2) If the parents are of Arab origin, the family must speak Arabic. It would be preferable if the father speaks in classical Arabic-العربية الفصحى. The mother speaks in colloquial Arabic-العربية العامية or vice versa.

The language of Classical Arabic is intrinsically linked to the texts of revelation (the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet). Children need to be familiar with these meanings and not be caught off guard by them as they grow up. They can comprehend it swiftly and have good vocabularies to express themselves in their language with pride.

There is a close link between Arabic (as the Arab people’s culture and language) and Islam (as a religion) that complemented the excellent morals of the Arabs before Islam, from which their morals have been transmitted with this religion through Islamic Futuhat and trades. 

Preserving Arabic is preserving religion, even with new Muslims or children of Muslims who do not speak Arabic. Arabic – as a second language – brings them closer to Islam.

3) Suppose Arabic language teachers are in the country or state or Arabic and Islamic schools (focusing on Arabic). In that case, it is better than foreign schools (public and private) to avoid the child’s mind being attached to foreign culture as much as possible. 

We mean Arabic competition with English by allowing enough time to communicate with children in Arabic, whether at school or Quranic institute. That is better than fusion in English culture (with schoolmates, on the street, and at home).

Most importantly, to avoid the ideas of perversion (like LGBT) or atheism promoted by some school teachers, most of whom are non-Muslim foreigners. It is a commendable solitude, especially for a child who cannot prevent suspicions of thought.

4) Communicating with the neighbouring family and relatives in the country weekly if possible, and if they are outside the country, then the meeting will be via phone or the Internet, through the camera, daily if possible and weekly at the latest; Such meetups include talking and asking about conditions and the stories of the street, neighbours and parents, reviving the meanings of the family and the belonging to wombs.

5) Integration with excellent and happy Muslim companions (parents and kids) who meet regularly (at close intervals) and go out for picnics, barbecues, games and exercise, and there is an agreement to adhere to those gatherings and not to lag behind them. It makes a mental association between fun times and the Muslim community, where we live happily under Islam.

6) Being open to children in mosques and Islamic centres by talking and encouraging them and involving them in voluntary work that suits their talents (such as preparing for the periodic events’ logistics or arranging the mosque library) and other easy work that connects them to mosques in matters other than rituals-شعائر, gives them confidence in their capabilities, and feel belonging to the place and the brotherhood of Islam.

7) It would be better if our sons had an educator-مُعلِّم مُربِّي to accompany them and learn from his morals, behaviour and dealings with others. He would speak to them in Arabic and teach them acts of worship  (jurisprudence-فقه, Seerah and hadith, and recite the Qur’an together).

Suppose it is not available in your city. In that case, it is possible to use one of the services provided online – such as Ibn Luqman’s Circle – until that person is available. Our sons – males and females – usually need someone older than them to guide and teach them, and this is other than the father and mother.

8) Children should participate in talent-building and skill development courses, whether skills such as agriculture, manufacturing, programming, robotics, or sports, oh, preferably with Muslims, or at least with the presence of Muslim children.

Complete separation from non-Muslim society is not required; Muslim companionship is vital in helping one to belong to Islam and giving the country where one resides its right to benefit.

9) Turning to Allah by praying for wellness-العافية (as in the supplications of the day and night remembrances) that protect children and families from the evil of calamity in their religion and world; Supplication is one of the things that make our hearts present with Allah, and it is the basis of worship, so Allah preserves them in response to our supplication.

And if we are afflicted with them, it is not in their religion; if it is in their world, he is kind to them. By teaching supplications and remembrances, one can seek daily protection from Allah.

10) All of this is in addition to our belief in good neighbourliness’ importance to the people of the society in which we live, with the kind word, good treatment, and all kinds of righteousness, as well as in calling them to Allah’s religion with wisdom and good preaching, and this is (reform-الإصلاح); Islam almost shines for everyone with the accumulation of reform efforts, which is an order of virtue or denial of vice, (a kind of work) that everyone performs according to his ability and what improves him, not by mere preaching and rebuke; As it may not be wise at all!

Not only are we stay affected by their culture and their achievements, leaving them as they are of corruption, following the saying (we found Islam without Muslims!), but we also influence them with the favour of our pledge to Islam, faith in Allah and our benevolence in what we do, and by calling them as well to Islam, the religion of truth and righteousness.

Those are ten complete, we hope it will benefit you, and we want to hear from you about other things we did not mention.