Author: Mirza Yawar Baig
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781503250161
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 122
Book Description
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.
Raising a Muslim Child
Author: Mirza Yawar Baig
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781503250161
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 122
Book Description
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.
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781503250161
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 122
Book Description
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.
Guidelines For Raising Children
Author:
Publisher: Darussalam
ISBN: 9789960897523
Category : Child rearing
Languages : en
Pages : 60
Book Description
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
Publisher: Darussalam
ISBN: 9789960897523
Category : Child rearing
Languages : en
Pages : 60
Book Description
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
Islamic Manners
Author: 'Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah
Publisher: Claritas Books
ISBN: 0953758273
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Written by one of the outstanding scholars of the 20th Century, Islamic Manners is a vital book that exemplifies the character and personality of every Muslim. Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda (1917-1997) was a leading scholar in the field of hadith. This book discusses essential adab (manners) and covers the following areas: Importance of Appearance Entering and Leaving a House The Manners of Visiting The Manners of Conversation Social Manners Communicating with Non-Muslims The Manners of Eating & Drinking Weddings Visiting a Sick Person Condolences
Publisher: Claritas Books
ISBN: 0953758273
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Written by one of the outstanding scholars of the 20th Century, Islamic Manners is a vital book that exemplifies the character and personality of every Muslim. Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda (1917-1997) was a leading scholar in the field of hadith. This book discusses essential adab (manners) and covers the following areas: Importance of Appearance Entering and Leaving a House The Manners of Visiting The Manners of Conversation Social Manners Communicating with Non-Muslims The Manners of Eating & Drinking Weddings Visiting a Sick Person Condolences
Positive Parenting in the Muslim Home
Author: Noha Alshugairi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780974295053
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
The Islamic tradition is rich with values that parents strive to imbue in their children: respect, responsibility, integrity, love and more. Parenting is all too often filled with sleepless nights, tears, and anxiety followed by endless doubts: "Did I do my best?" "What could I have done differently?" "Am I responsible?" Positive Discipline, a philosophy conceptualized by Dr. Jane Nelsen, provides a powerful model for channeling parenting struggles into proven methods that yield results. Positive Parenting in the Muslim Home addresses real challenges faced by real families. This comprehensive book is essential for parents, caregivers, and educators seeking to nurture a grounded parent-child relationship built on connection. It is a book of home. It invites the reader to: - Approach parenting in Islam as a process of love and guidance - Apply Positive Discipline tools to nurture Islamic values in matters of faith, relationships, and everyday life - Empower children to be responsible, capable and proactive individuals - Address sensitive issues constructively, including sex, drugs, bullying, and youth radicalization - Resolve conflicts by focusing on solutions rather than punishments Authors Noha Alshugairi and Munira Lekovic Ezzeldine share timeless principles, describe 49 effective parenting tools, and guide through various parenting challenges. Their experience spans all stages of development from birth to adulthood. The authors masterfully transform theoretical Islamic principles into living realities.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780974295053
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
The Islamic tradition is rich with values that parents strive to imbue in their children: respect, responsibility, integrity, love and more. Parenting is all too often filled with sleepless nights, tears, and anxiety followed by endless doubts: "Did I do my best?" "What could I have done differently?" "Am I responsible?" Positive Discipline, a philosophy conceptualized by Dr. Jane Nelsen, provides a powerful model for channeling parenting struggles into proven methods that yield results. Positive Parenting in the Muslim Home addresses real challenges faced by real families. This comprehensive book is essential for parents, caregivers, and educators seeking to nurture a grounded parent-child relationship built on connection. It is a book of home. It invites the reader to: - Approach parenting in Islam as a process of love and guidance - Apply Positive Discipline tools to nurture Islamic values in matters of faith, relationships, and everyday life - Empower children to be responsible, capable and proactive individuals - Address sensitive issues constructively, including sex, drugs, bullying, and youth radicalization - Resolve conflicts by focusing on solutions rather than punishments Authors Noha Alshugairi and Munira Lekovic Ezzeldine share timeless principles, describe 49 effective parenting tools, and guide through various parenting challenges. Their experience spans all stages of development from birth to adulthood. The authors masterfully transform theoretical Islamic principles into living realities.
The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
Author: Leila Azzam
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 94
Book Description
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
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 94
Book Description
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
Muslim Girl
Author: Amani Al-Khatahtbeh
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501159518
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 144
Book Description
At nine years old, Amani Al-Khatahtbeh watched from her home in New Jersey as two planes crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. That same year, she heard her first racial slur. Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age is the extraordinary account of Amani's coming of age in a country that too often seeks to marginalize women like her. Her spirited voice and unflinching honesty offer a fresh, deeply necessary counterpoint to current rhetoric about the place of Muslims in American life.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501159518
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 144
Book Description
At nine years old, Amani Al-Khatahtbeh watched from her home in New Jersey as two planes crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. That same year, she heard her first racial slur. Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age is the extraordinary account of Amani's coming of age in a country that too often seeks to marginalize women like her. Her spirited voice and unflinching honesty offer a fresh, deeply necessary counterpoint to current rhetoric about the place of Muslims in American life.
Raising Children
Author: Tahera Kassamali
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781546571186
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 46
Book Description
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!
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781546571186
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 46
Book Description
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!
Parent-Child Relations: A Guide to Raising Children (Revised Edition)
Author: Hisham Altalib
Publisher: International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
ISBN: 1642056421
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 519
Book Description
Modern families face challenges unprecedented in human history. The time, attention and vigilance required of parents is exhausting and consuming family life. Parents are required to balance complex schedules, be technology aware, social media informed, constantly monitor children’s screen time and media communication, cope with academic problems, shield them from the dangers of immorality, find inventive ways to overcome their boredom, organize extracurricular activities, and handle everything within financially constrained circumstances that increasingly require both to be working. Little wonder that anxiety is on the rise and parents are increasingly fearing for their children’s future. The authors in this book attempt to address parents’ concerns and equip them with the confidence and tools necessary to work towards understanding and addressing the real needs of both themselves and their children, to nurture the child’s character, self-confidence, life skills, moral boundaries, spiritual development and much more. There is no quick-fix. Myths are debunked, and practical tips offered throughout which can be implemented immediately, with fun activities outlined at the end of each chapter with the aim of improving parent-child relationships through bonding, love, patience, openness, respect and communication.
Publisher: International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)
ISBN: 1642056421
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 519
Book Description
Modern families face challenges unprecedented in human history. The time, attention and vigilance required of parents is exhausting and consuming family life. Parents are required to balance complex schedules, be technology aware, social media informed, constantly monitor children’s screen time and media communication, cope with academic problems, shield them from the dangers of immorality, find inventive ways to overcome their boredom, organize extracurricular activities, and handle everything within financially constrained circumstances that increasingly require both to be working. Little wonder that anxiety is on the rise and parents are increasingly fearing for their children’s future. The authors in this book attempt to address parents’ concerns and equip them with the confidence and tools necessary to work towards understanding and addressing the real needs of both themselves and their children, to nurture the child’s character, self-confidence, life skills, moral boundaries, spiritual development and much more. There is no quick-fix. Myths are debunked, and practical tips offered throughout which can be implemented immediately, with fun activities outlined at the end of each chapter with the aim of improving parent-child relationships through bonding, love, patience, openness, respect and communication.
Letters to a Young Muslim
Author: Omar Saif Ghobash
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 1250119839
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161
Book Description
**A New York Times Editor's Pick** From the Ambassador of the UAE to Russia comes Letters to a Young Muslim, a bold and intimate exploration of what it means to be a Muslim in the twenty-first century. In a series of personal and insightful letters to his sons, Omar Saif Ghobash offers a vital manifesto that tackles the dilemmas facing not only young Muslims but everyone navigating the complexities of today’s world. Full of wisdom and thoughtful reflections on faith, culture and society. This is a courageous and essential book that celebrates individuality whilst recognising it is our shared humanity that brings us together. Written with the experience of a diplomat and the personal responsibility of a father; Ghobash’s letters offer understanding and balance in a world that rarely offers any. An intimate and hopeful glimpse into a sphere many are unfamiliar with; it provides an understanding of the everyday struggles Muslims face around the globe. *One of Time's Most Anticipated Books of 2017, a Bustle Best Nonfiction Pick for January 2017, a Chicago Review of Books Best Book to Read in January 2017, a Stylist Magazine Best Book of 2017, included in New Statesman's What to Read in 2017*
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 1250119839
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161
Book Description
**A New York Times Editor's Pick** From the Ambassador of the UAE to Russia comes Letters to a Young Muslim, a bold and intimate exploration of what it means to be a Muslim in the twenty-first century. In a series of personal and insightful letters to his sons, Omar Saif Ghobash offers a vital manifesto that tackles the dilemmas facing not only young Muslims but everyone navigating the complexities of today’s world. Full of wisdom and thoughtful reflections on faith, culture and society. This is a courageous and essential book that celebrates individuality whilst recognising it is our shared humanity that brings us together. Written with the experience of a diplomat and the personal responsibility of a father; Ghobash’s letters offer understanding and balance in a world that rarely offers any. An intimate and hopeful glimpse into a sphere many are unfamiliar with; it provides an understanding of the everyday struggles Muslims face around the globe. *One of Time's Most Anticipated Books of 2017, a Bustle Best Nonfiction Pick for January 2017, a Chicago Review of Books Best Book to Read in January 2017, a Stylist Magazine Best Book of 2017, included in New Statesman's What to Read in 2017*
The Child in Islam
Author: Norma Tarazi
Publisher: American Trust Publications
ISBN: 0892591587
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
This book is a mothers’ book—not that it can’t be read by fathers as well—the outgrowth of a mothers’ study group which met in Kuwait before the Gulf War, focused on rearing children in an Islamic way. The mothers were mostly American and British converts to Islam, although in cosmopolitan Kuwaitthere were women from many other backgrounds. The group was an offshoot of meetings for English-speaking Muslim women, held weekly in the home of Sister Zainab Ashry in Kuwait for more than ten years prior to the Gulf War. From their knowledge of Islam, the women involved wanted to study the implications of their faith on their child-rearing practices. The first step was to collect information—any Qur’anic verse or hadith—that a participant found relevant. Other information was collected from such knowledgeable people and books as were available. Monthly discussions were organized on different topics. Since the war, some of the participating sisters have returned to Kuwait, but many of our group are now scattered all over the world. All the notes and papers collected by the study group were in my home in Kuwait when the invasion occurred; fortunately my husband was able to salvage them and bringthem here to our new home in the States. I felt an obligation to compile this collected information to share with other Muslims, especially converts like myself. My deepest thanks must go to my husband, whose support and cooperation gave me the means to carry out this task. This book begins with the birth of a child to Muslim parents, and the traditional Islamic response to the birth, following the example of Prophet Muhammad (S). Very few specific actions are defined, and these mostly relate to practices at the time of birth. All of these fall into the category of sunnah (following the Prophet’s example or what he approved of in others), and though highly recommended, they are not fard (obligatory) actions. Aside from these few simple practices carried out when a baby comes into the world, Islam has no ceremonies devoted exclusively to children—no first communion, no coming-of-age celebrations. Children are not segregated into a special world separate from that of adults; they are members of families in the great, embracing cycle of human life. The family supports them when they are young; they support the family in their productive years, and in old age they are again supported by the family. They grow and develop gradually in a system that encourages growth and learning, but places little emphasis on milestones and anniversaries. A large portion of this book is given to defining relationships from the Qur’an and hadith. To understand the significance of the child in Muslim society, it is necessary to recognize the total number and value of his or her relationships within it, which are different from the relationships defined by other societies. Chapter 1 includes some of the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad that apply to the newborn. Chapter 2 describes the nature of the child’s relationship with Allah and the spiritual world, with some suggestions for encouraging spiritual awareness. Chapter 3 contains Qur’anic verses and ahadith relevant to the child’s relationship with his or her parents. In light of these definitions, and with reference to the Islamic teachings concerning morals, manners, and the purpose of life, an attempt is made in chapters 4, 5, and 6 to present an organized structure dealing with the practical how-to of rearing a child in an Islamic way, from a parent’s viewpoint. Chapters Introduction ix 7 and 8 progressively broaden out the child’s world by adding brothers and sisters, extended family, and community relationships. The practical suggestions for improving relationships among adult family members, in order to pave the way for improving the child’s relations with his or her extended family, are an important aspect of chapter 8. The only relationship which really changes for the child as he or she grows up is that of accountability to Allah, since no child is accountable for his or her actions before reaching the age of understanding. All other relationships develop and deepen as the child grows but remain basically the same, for the general commands to honor parents, show respect to elders, be gentle with younger ones, and honor family ties continue for a Muslim throughout his or her life. I pray to Allah that this book may bring only good to mothers and their children, and that He protect them from any mistakes or misunderstandings. I have done my best to prepare the material contained within it in a suitable manner and hope to see other literature published on this important subject, expanding and enriching it. While I alone am responsible for the contents, I am deeply indebted to the many sisters who helped collect references and discussed the practical implications of our findings. I have no list to prompt me and consequently may have unwittingly forgotten some names, but I well remember Terry, Lianna, Salma, Noura, Mia, Khadijah, Sandra, Hicleir, Debbie, Sara, Maryam, Aneesah, Dianne, Karen, Kauthar and Nawal from Kuwait, all of us working together on this project. My friend Daaiyah Saleem in Ohio has also been very helpful, offering many suggestions for improvement and clarification as she aided in proofreading. My sister-in-law Ghada, of course, has helped along the way. In the course of preparing this book for publication, sister Zeba Siddiqui was chosen by the publisher to edit the text. I have known Zeba, a mother of four and a grandmother, and author of several excellent childrens’ books as well as the THE CHILD IN ISLAM Parent’s Manual: A Guide for Muslim Parents Living in North America, for several years. When I heard she had taken on this task, I asked her to add anything she felt was missing, from her years of experience and knowledge of the subject. She has supplied all of the hadith reference numbers in the text, in itself an enormous task. In addition to editing, she has filled out and amplified several topics, checking and adding material where needed. The sections on the Hereafter, tahara, respect for religion, and hospitality are prepared and written by her. It was only fair therefore that her name should appear on the title page of this book in recognition of her valuable contribution. I am deeply grateful to her for her help and input. I also need to thank my children, who suffered through my learning experience and projects for self-improvement in parenting skills, and my mother, whose life-long interest in the growth and development of children helped me understand the importance of the matter and the need for a book such as this. A final note, to the book’s non-Muslim readers: I have chosen to use the word Allah throughout the book instead of the word God. The words are interchangeable in English for Muslims, but all of the women involved in this project have the habit, indeed, they have the love of referring to God, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, by His Arabic name, Allah.
Publisher: American Trust Publications
ISBN: 0892591587
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
This book is a mothers’ book—not that it can’t be read by fathers as well—the outgrowth of a mothers’ study group which met in Kuwait before the Gulf War, focused on rearing children in an Islamic way. The mothers were mostly American and British converts to Islam, although in cosmopolitan Kuwaitthere were women from many other backgrounds. The group was an offshoot of meetings for English-speaking Muslim women, held weekly in the home of Sister Zainab Ashry in Kuwait for more than ten years prior to the Gulf War. From their knowledge of Islam, the women involved wanted to study the implications of their faith on their child-rearing practices. The first step was to collect information—any Qur’anic verse or hadith—that a participant found relevant. Other information was collected from such knowledgeable people and books as were available. Monthly discussions were organized on different topics. Since the war, some of the participating sisters have returned to Kuwait, but many of our group are now scattered all over the world. All the notes and papers collected by the study group were in my home in Kuwait when the invasion occurred; fortunately my husband was able to salvage them and bringthem here to our new home in the States. I felt an obligation to compile this collected information to share with other Muslims, especially converts like myself. My deepest thanks must go to my husband, whose support and cooperation gave me the means to carry out this task. This book begins with the birth of a child to Muslim parents, and the traditional Islamic response to the birth, following the example of Prophet Muhammad (S). Very few specific actions are defined, and these mostly relate to practices at the time of birth. All of these fall into the category of sunnah (following the Prophet’s example or what he approved of in others), and though highly recommended, they are not fard (obligatory) actions. Aside from these few simple practices carried out when a baby comes into the world, Islam has no ceremonies devoted exclusively to children—no first communion, no coming-of-age celebrations. Children are not segregated into a special world separate from that of adults; they are members of families in the great, embracing cycle of human life. The family supports them when they are young; they support the family in their productive years, and in old age they are again supported by the family. They grow and develop gradually in a system that encourages growth and learning, but places little emphasis on milestones and anniversaries. A large portion of this book is given to defining relationships from the Qur’an and hadith. To understand the significance of the child in Muslim society, it is necessary to recognize the total number and value of his or her relationships within it, which are different from the relationships defined by other societies. Chapter 1 includes some of the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad that apply to the newborn. Chapter 2 describes the nature of the child’s relationship with Allah and the spiritual world, with some suggestions for encouraging spiritual awareness. Chapter 3 contains Qur’anic verses and ahadith relevant to the child’s relationship with his or her parents. In light of these definitions, and with reference to the Islamic teachings concerning morals, manners, and the purpose of life, an attempt is made in chapters 4, 5, and 6 to present an organized structure dealing with the practical how-to of rearing a child in an Islamic way, from a parent’s viewpoint. Chapters Introduction ix 7 and 8 progressively broaden out the child’s world by adding brothers and sisters, extended family, and community relationships. The practical suggestions for improving relationships among adult family members, in order to pave the way for improving the child’s relations with his or her extended family, are an important aspect of chapter 8. The only relationship which really changes for the child as he or she grows up is that of accountability to Allah, since no child is accountable for his or her actions before reaching the age of understanding. All other relationships develop and deepen as the child grows but remain basically the same, for the general commands to honor parents, show respect to elders, be gentle with younger ones, and honor family ties continue for a Muslim throughout his or her life. I pray to Allah that this book may bring only good to mothers and their children, and that He protect them from any mistakes or misunderstandings. I have done my best to prepare the material contained within it in a suitable manner and hope to see other literature published on this important subject, expanding and enriching it. While I alone am responsible for the contents, I am deeply indebted to the many sisters who helped collect references and discussed the practical implications of our findings. I have no list to prompt me and consequently may have unwittingly forgotten some names, but I well remember Terry, Lianna, Salma, Noura, Mia, Khadijah, Sandra, Hicleir, Debbie, Sara, Maryam, Aneesah, Dianne, Karen, Kauthar and Nawal from Kuwait, all of us working together on this project. My friend Daaiyah Saleem in Ohio has also been very helpful, offering many suggestions for improvement and clarification as she aided in proofreading. My sister-in-law Ghada, of course, has helped along the way. In the course of preparing this book for publication, sister Zeba Siddiqui was chosen by the publisher to edit the text. I have known Zeba, a mother of four and a grandmother, and author of several excellent childrens’ books as well as the THE CHILD IN ISLAM Parent’s Manual: A Guide for Muslim Parents Living in North America, for several years. When I heard she had taken on this task, I asked her to add anything she felt was missing, from her years of experience and knowledge of the subject. She has supplied all of the hadith reference numbers in the text, in itself an enormous task. In addition to editing, she has filled out and amplified several topics, checking and adding material where needed. The sections on the Hereafter, tahara, respect for religion, and hospitality are prepared and written by her. It was only fair therefore that her name should appear on the title page of this book in recognition of her valuable contribution. I am deeply grateful to her for her help and input. I also need to thank my children, who suffered through my learning experience and projects for self-improvement in parenting skills, and my mother, whose life-long interest in the growth and development of children helped me understand the importance of the matter and the need for a book such as this. A final note, to the book’s non-Muslim readers: I have chosen to use the word Allah throughout the book instead of the word God. The words are interchangeable in English for Muslims, but all of the women involved in this project have the habit, indeed, they have the love of referring to God, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, by His Arabic name, Allah.