Essential Advice for Parents: Protecting Young Children in Their Islamic Journey

Guiding Young Muslims: Balancing Recognition and Protection

Advice to parents specifically regarding their young children

Do not be among those who, when their young children have memorised the Qur’ān and some ḥadīth, showcase them here and there, taking them around to various masjids to give talks or lectures, or appointing them as imams. If any of you does this with your child—without safeguarding them—you are exposing them to dangers, such as being affected by the evil eye. Furthermore, it plants in their heart a love for public recognition from an early age, which may stay with them into adulthood, affecting their sincerity. Likewise, it makes them vulnerable to both human and jinn devils who might focus on them to lead them astray. Many fathers have been overjoyed by their child’s memorisation, intelligence, and confidence, only to expose them to these harms, resulting in their child being afflicted by the evil eye to the point of serious harm, abandoning knowledge altogether, or worse. Therefore, protect your child, for if you present them to the eyes of others, they will be harmed; and if you leave them to the corrupt and bad company, they will be ruined.

Abū Ḥudhayfah ’Abdullāh Al-’Abdaliyy

The advice above is a general guidance and not to be taken in the absolute sense 

Abū Anas Nu’mān Ibn Muḥammad commented:

“We have heard of scholars who began delivering sermons and practicing this affair from a young age, as well as leading prayers, and they are now among the memorisers of the Qur’ān and imams of masjids, through whom Allāh has brought great benefit. They are also known for their sincerity in calling people to Allāh, as we perceive, and Allāh is their ultimate Judge.

In fact, in some Salafis centres, they train young children how to deliver sermons. For example, Sheikh Hussein Al-Hateebi’s Center in Salah Ad-Deen (Aden), and Sheikh Bassam in Al-Subaiha…

Things are going well, and in some cases, these young people return to their villages as preachers due to the community’s need for them, despite their young age.

Sheikh Shu’aib As-Subaihi has even authored a small book on teaching young boys how to deliver sermons and train them in this skill.

And if some have been afflicted as a result, it should not lead us to limit and restrict something expensive. 

In fact, some children hear their peers delivering sermons and are motivated to seek knowledge to become like them. Some fathers may even encourage their sons and send them to a Salafis center after hearing a sermon delivered by one of these young preachers.

If the concern is the evil eye, teach the child to recite the prescribed supplications and place reliance on Allah.

And if the concern is about seeking fame, then it is possible that a person might begin an action not purely for the sake of Allah, but Allah does not refuse except that it is done solely for Him. With continuous pursuit of knowledge and learning the importance of sincerity and the dangers of showing off and self-admiration, Allah will grant them sincerity.”