Rights of toddlers are evident from the following verse, sunnah/hadith of Holy Quran and Prophet respectively; “Send him out with us tomorrow so that he may enjoy himself and play.
And we will really watch over him.” [Surah Yusuf, Verse 12] “Prophet Muhammad kissed his grandson Hasan in presence of Aqra’ bin Habis. Thereupon, Aqra’ remarked: ‘I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them.’ The Prophet cast a glance upon him and said, ‘He who does not show mercy to others (children), will not be shown mercy.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin 893] “One day, when the Prophet was in prostration (sajda) during a prayer, Imam Hasan or Hussain (grand children of Prophet) then climbed on his back. The Holy Prophet remained in prostration until he came down by himself.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i 1141] Prophet Muhammad said: “O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5376]
Religious rights of young child: The child who experiences early and middle childhood period is called young child. During the early childhood phase (3 to 6 years), child starts his pre-schooling and ultimately experiences the middle childhood phase (6 to 12 years), in which his formal-schooling starts. Children during early and middle childhood phase are at a formative stage and develop physically, emotionally, socially, cognitively, educationally, linguistically and spiritually throughout this period. This stage is seen as the beginning of conscious religious development, where children are gradually trained to understand and practice Islam in a gentle and age-appropriate manner. Islam has given great emphasis to developmental rights of young children especially on their educational rights both secular and Islamic.
In early childhood period, Islam says that child should be gently taught to both basic secular and religious education. For example, teach them about Islamic manners, behaviors, values like saying Salam, Bismillah, Alhamdulillah, eating etiquettes, cleanliness, honesty, elder’s respect, simple Arabic words, supplications (duas) before eating, sleeping and waking up etc., short Surahs, names of Allah/Prophets, Prophetic/Quranic storytelling etc.
In middle childhood period, Islam says that child should be gently taught to more structured secular and religious education. For example, teach them about above-mentioned Islamic manners/behaviors/values in more detail including reading/recitation of Holy Quran, how to pray five times a day, method of making ablution (wudu) before prayer, fasting, biography of Prophet, reading/writing/memorization of holy scripts, belief in one God and religious role models etc. The above teachings of Islam pertaining to early and middle childhood periods are evident from the following verse and hadith of Prophet respectively; “My Lord! Enable me and my offspring to establish prayer, and do accept, our Lord, this prayer of mine.” [Surah Ibrahim, Verse 40]
Prophet Muhammad said: “Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim.” [Sunan Ibn Majah 224] Prophet Muhammad said: “Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.” [Sunan Abi Dawud 495] Prophet Muhammad said: “There is no gift that a father gives his son more virtuous than good manners.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1952]
Religious rights of adolescent: Adolescent/Teenager is a stage when children enter in pubertal age and experience critical physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth including option-of-puberty. Islam recognizes this sensitive stage of child’s growth and grant them specific rights, responsibilities and guidance. Adolescents/teenagers are inter alia entitled to right to – dignity/respect, education, religious/moral upbringing, love/care/emotional support, social inclusion/participation, protection from harm/abuse/bullying, privacy, gender equality, inheritance, gradual responsibility/accountability, being heard/involved and learn from mistakes- and are evident from following verses, hadith/Sunnah of Holy Quran and Prophet respectively;
“Indeed, We have dignified the children of Adam, provided them with transport on land and sea, provided them with good things for their sustenance, and privileged them far above many of Our creatures.” [Surah Al-Isra, Verse 70] “When your children reach puberty, let them [always] ask your permission to enter, like their elders used toask permission.” [Surah An-Noor, Verse 59]
The Prophet said: Act equally between your children; Act equally between your sons. [Sunan Abi Dawud 3544] “The Prophet used to seek Refuge with Allah for Hasan and Husain and say: ‘Your forefather (i.e. Abraham) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Ishmael and Isaac by reciting the following: O Allah! I seek Refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, envious eye.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari 3371] From the above discussion, it is concluded that every child is born as an innocent and sinless human being i.e., with apure natural spiritual state towards religion (fitrah) as is evident from the following verse of Holy Quran; “So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people.” [Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 30]
The teachings of Islam for protection of children rights matches with scientific child protection subjects to a large extent. It is therefore, the responsibility of everyone to protect and nurture the fitrah (spirituality) of children by fulfilling their rights as described above. May God bless everyone to fulfill the religious rights of children and raise them as righteous Muslims. Ameen! —Concluded
—The writer is Human Rights Activist, Child Rights Expert& Lawyer.
