Child Upbringing within the Framework of Islamic Family Ideals: Panacea for National Security

Abstract

Childhood is of special importance in man’s life. Islam focuses on maintaining the pristine characteristics of children. It places the innocent child in the sanctuary of the family. So the child will be fashioned and molded upon morals and good conduct. If he is neglected, he may fall prey to many bad qualities such as rage, argumentativeness, carelessness, rashness, cruelty and greed. It is difficult for him to dispose of those qualities once he grows up, as they become deeply rooted in him. Hence these characters will become negatively impacted in the society by such children and they grow up and thus constitute serious security threat to the nation. Using qualitative method, the work will exploit literary materials and where necessary, empirical evidences will be alluded to. The work will analyze, based on Islamic ideals, the role of the family in instilling probity, humility, good character and necessary intellectualism needed for the child to grow and become a good member of the society whose topmost priority is to promote absolute peace and tranquility in his society and the nation at large. In conclusion, for the sake of safeguarding the wholesome nature of the child and protecting it from the lowest degree of worldly life devoid of righteousness, goodness and beauty, Islam considers the family responsible for children’s unblemished nature.

Key words: Child, Upbringing, Islam, Family, National, Security.