Category: Social life

Raising Righteous Children in a Distracting World Raising Children with Good Character: Why Saying “No” is Sometimes a Greater Gift In today’s fast-paced, convenience-driven world, many parents find it difficult to say “no” to their children. Whether it’s a toy at the shop, a treat after dinner, or the latest gadget, the pressure to provide everything a child asks for can be overwhelming. But while we may give in with love, doing so constantly can have long-term consequences on our children’s character and future. The Goal of Parenting: Raising Not Just Happy Children, But Good Ones As parents, our ultimate goal should be to raise children who are kind, patient, respectful, and God-conscious. These qualities form the foundation of strong character, and good character is one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “The best among you are those who have the best character.”(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Manners) Children who are given everything they desire without effort may struggle to develop patience, gratitude, and empathy. These are essential traits for a successful and fulfilling life, both in this world and the hereafter. Why It’s Important to Say “No” Saying “no” doesn’t mean we love our children any less. It means we care enough to teach them: Self-control – Not everything in life comes instantly. Gratitude – They learn to appreciate what they have. Value of effort – Achieving something through work builds confidence. Respect for boundaries – Essential for success in the real world. Character Over Comfort While we want our children to be happy, short-term comfort should not replace long-term values. Giving in too often can breed entitlement, impatience, and poor coping skills. Islam teaches balance — between mercy and discipline, love and limits. Allah says: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire…”(Surah At-Tahrim 66:6) Parenting is about nurturing the heart and soul, not just providing entertainment and gadgets. Controlling the Distractions: Phones, Screens, and Social Media One of the greatest challenges parents face today is managing screen time and social media. Phones, apps, and games are designed to be addictive. When children are given unrestricted access to technology, it can harm their attention span, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. The Illusion of Connection Children who spend hours on TikTok, YouTube, or games often become more: Emotionally unstable Easily distracted Addicted to validation and trends Distant from family, faith, and real-world responsibilities The Prophet ﷺ said: “From the perfection of a person’s Islam is to leave what does not concern him.”(Tirmidhi) Most of what is consumed on social media holds no real benefit — and often exposes children to harmful content, negative influences, and un-Islamic values. Why Too Many Devices Hurt More Than Help Some children own multiple devices — phones, tablets, watches, laptops — and have complete freedom online. This often results in: Missed prayers and laziness in deen Poor academic focus Reduced social and communication skills Exposure to harmful ideologies and content Devices should be tools used with purpose, not toys used for distraction. What Parents Can Do Delay giving personal phones. Start with shared devices with strict controls. Set screen-time boundaries and stick to them. Use parental filters and supervision. Encourage outdoor play, Islamic learning, and offline creativity. Be a role model. Reduce your own screen time and interact with your child directly. “Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned.”(Surah Al-Isra 17:36) Final Thoughts Raising children is one of the most sacred responsibilities in Islam. We are not just raising sons and daughters — we are raising future believers, leaders, and servants of Allah. Saying “no” to unnecessary luxuries, phones, and distractions isn’t oppression — it’s protection. Let us raise children who are grateful, patient, humble, and God-conscious — not just entertained and indulged. May Allah guide us and our children to what pleases Him. Ameen. 🕌 Raise Children with Good Character – Not Screens 📵 Don’t give them everything they ask for.📱 Too many devices = too much distraction.💬 Say “No” sometimes. It teaches: ✅ Patience✅ Gratitude✅ Self-control✅ Focus on Salah and good deeds 🎯 Raise children with: Strong manners Respect for rules Love for Allah ﷻ and His Prophet ﷺ “O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire…”(Qur’an 66:6) 💡 Tip for Parents:You are their role model. Put down the phone and build them up with love, limits, and dua. 🌱