Sirah/Ta’dib: Child’s Right in Islam – Basic 6 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Learning Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Describe child’s rights in Islam
• Illustrate the rights of children in Islam from parents
• Justify the rights of children in Islam from society

Lesson Content:

Introduction to Child’s Rights in Islam:

Islam was the first religion to clearly establish comprehensive rights for children over 1400 years ago, long before modern international conventions on children’s rights.

Islamic Principle: Children are Amanah (trust) from Allah. Parents and society are responsible for protecting and nurturing them.

1. Child’s rights from parents:

1. Right to Life

Before Birth:

• Right to be born (no infanticide)
• Right to proper prenatal care
• Mother should eat healthy food during pregnancy
• Protection from harmful substances

After Birth:

• Right to live and be protected
• Medical care when sick
• Safe living environment
• Protection from danger and harm

1. Right to Identity

Good Name:

• Parents should give beautiful, meaningful names
• Names that reflect good qualities
• Avoiding names with bad meanings
• Prophet (SAW) changed bad names to good ones

Family Lineage:

• Right to know father’s name and family
• Right to inheritance from family
• Connection to family history and traditions
• Sense of belonging and identity

1. Right to Proper Nutrition

Breastfeeding:

• Quran recommends 2 years of breastfeeding
• Mother’s milk is best nutrition for infants
• If mother cannot breastfeed, find suitable alternative
• Father should support and provide for this

Healthy Food:

• Nutritious meals for proper growth
• Clean and halal (permissible) food
• Regular meals at proper times
• Teaching good eating habits

1. Right to Education

Religious Education:

• Teaching about Allah and Islam
• Learning Quran and prayers
• Understanding Islamic values and morals
• Developing strong faith and character

General Education:

• Learning to read and write
• Acquiring knowledge and skills
• Developing talents and abilities
• Preparing for useful future role

Prophet’s Teaching: “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” “Every child is born on fitrah (natural goodness)”

1. Right to Love and Affection

Emotional Care:

• Parents should show love and kindness
• Hugging, kissing, and expressing affection
• Listening to children’s concerns
• Providing emotional support and comfort

Quality Time:

• Spending time together as family
• Playing and having fun with children
• Teaching through personal example
• Creating happy family memories

1. Right to Justice and Fair Treatment

Equal Treatment:

• No favoritism between children
• Same opportunities for all children
• Fair distribution of attention and resources
• Avoiding discrimination based on gender

Discipline with Kindness:

• Correcting mistakes with patience
• Teaching right from wrong gently
• Using positive reinforcement
• Avoiding harsh punishment or abuse

1. Right to Protection

Physical Protection:

• Safe housing and environment
• Protection from violence and abuse
• Medical care and health services
• Clothing appropriate for weather

Moral Protection:

• Protecting from bad influences
• Teaching good values and morals
• Monitoring friendships and activities
• Creating Islamic environment at home

2. Child’s rights from society:

1. Educational Rights

School Education:

• Right to quality education
• Safe and conducive learning environment
• Qualified and caring teachers
• Equal opportunities regardless of background

Islamic Education:

• Access to Islamic learning
• Mosque and madrasah education
• Learning from knowledgeable scholars
• Understanding Islamic history and culture

1. Protection Rights

Legal Protection:

• Laws protecting children from harm
• Justice system that considers children’s needs
• Protection from exploitation and abuse
• Special courts for children’s matters

Social Protection:

• Community watching over all children
• Neighbors caring about each other’s children
• Reporting and preventing child abuse
• Creating safe neighborhoods

1. Healthcare Rights

Medical Services:

• Access to healthcare facilities
• Vaccination and preventive care
• Treatment for illnesses and injuries
• Special care for disabled children

Public Health:

• Clean water and sanitation
• Safe food and nutrition programs
• Health education and awareness
• Disease prevention programs

1. Social Welfare Rights

Support for Orphans:

• Community care for orphaned children
• Financial support and maintenance
• Educational and emotional support
• Integration into loving families

Care for Poor Children:

• Zakat and charity for needy children
• Free education and healthcare
• Nutrition and feeding programs
• Clothing and basic necessities

1. Participation Rights

Voice and Opinion:

• Right to express views and opinions
• Being heard in matters affecting them
• Participation in family and school decisions
• Respect for their thoughts and feelings

Cultural and Religious Participation:

• Taking part in Islamic festivals
• Learning cultural traditions
• Participating in community activities
• Developing Islamic identity

Why These Rights are Important:

1. Islamic Obligation

• Commanded by Allah in the Quran
• Taught by Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
• Part of Islamic values and morals
• Test of faith and character

2. Child Development

• Physical, mental, and spiritual growth
• Building strong and healthy personality
• Developing talents and abilities
• Preparing for adult responsibilities

3. Community Benefit

• Raising good future citizens
• Creating peaceful and just society
• Continuing Islamic values and traditions
• Building strong Muslim community

4. Individual Responsibility

• Parents accountable to Allah
• Society responsible for all children
• Everyone benefits from well-raised children
• Investment in future generations

Consequences of Neglecting Child Rights:

For Children:

• Poor physical and mental development
• Lack of education and skills
• Behavioral and social problems
• Weak Islamic identity and values

For Parents:

• Accountability in the Day of Judgment
• Problems in family relationships
• Children may not care for them in old age
• Loss of Allah’s blessings

For Society:

• Weak and problematic future generation
• Increase in crime and social problems
• Loss of Islamic values and culture
• Divine punishment and loss of blessings

Quranic Guidance:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents…” (Quran 17:23) “Wealth and children are the adornment of worldly life…” (Quran 18:46)

HOMEWORK:

1. List 7 rights that children have from their parents according to Islam
2. Explain 4 rights that children have from society
3. Write a short essay on why protecting children’s rights is important in Islam