By Dada Ahmed, Lokoja.
As society continues to grapple with moral decline and youth-related challenges, Muslim parents have been urged to raise their children with constant prayer, sound moral guidance, and the fear of Allah from infancy.
An Islamic scholar, Malam Yakubu Sani, gave the admonition on Wednesday in Lokoja during the naming ceremony of the daughter of Malam and Malama Abdulazeez.
He stressed that the foundation of a morally upright society begins with parents who consciously instill discipline, prayer, and Islamic values in their children.
Malam Sani lamented the growing rate of moral decadence and crime among Nigerian youths, attributing the problem to the failure of many Muslim parents to nurture their children spiritually and morally. According to him, some parents have replaced quality time for family and moral upbringing with the relentless pursuit of material wealth and social status.
He explained that when children are brought up in an environment where prayer, discipline, and moral values are emphasized, they grow to become responsible and God-fearing adults who contribute positively to society. Conversely, he warned, neglecting such spiritual and moral responsibilities exposes children to waywardness, crime, and social vices.
The scholar also expressed concern over the misuse of the internet by young people, noting that instead of using it to acquire beneficial knowledge, many now use it to promote immoral behavior.
He urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities and guide them to use digital platforms responsibly and in accordance with Islamic teachings.
During the ceremony, Malam Sani pronounced the newborn baby’s name as “Kawthar”, among others, and prayed for her to grow in good health, wisdom, and the fear of Allah. He further encouraged her parents to combine both Islamic and Western education in her upbringing, to ensure she grows into a well-rounded and balanced individual capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
He reminded all Muslim parents that children are a trust from Allah, and it is their sacred duty to guide them through prayer, love, and discipline so that they can become the future torchbearers of faith, morality, and good character.
The scholar urged Muslim parents to be exemplary in character, words, and deeds, and to instill the fear of Almighty Allah in their children to help curb youth-related crimes and nurture them into responsible citizens who will contribute to the overall development of Nigeria and the world at large.
