Children don’t need another toy—they need your eyes lighting up when they enter the room
Teaching is not merely a profession—it is a sacred mission. The teacher’s role is not confined to shaping the intellect of a child; rather, it extends to nurturing their emotional well-being. A teacher often becomes the emotional outlet for many students, a safe space where a child can express what they might hesitate to share even with their parents.
As an educator associated with a renowned school in Kashmir, which is committed to blending secular and Islamic education, I have observed deeply how children from prestigious families—those of bureaucrats, doctors, and engineers—often lack emotional support despite being provided with every material resource. This insight has reaffirmed to me that our children do not just need education—they need presence, love, and emotional connection.
Children are among the greatest trusts (Amaanah) given to us by Allah. Raising them righteously is not optional—it is a divine responsibility. Allah will ask every parent about how they fulfilled this trust:
> “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6)
This verse is not just a call to teach children how to pray or fast—it is a call to raise them with love, values, and protection from emotional harm.
Today’s professional life has distanced many parents from their children. The house is filled with comfort and wealth, yet it echoes with silence where laughter, stories, and warmth should be. Mothers are caught up in work, and fathers are consumed by screens. A child comes home seeking a hug, a few minutes of attention, but often finds “I’m busy” instead.
What is overlooked is that:
“Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is being content with oneself.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6446)
Children crave emotional richness, not material abundance. When deprived of it, their hearts silently carry wounds that often resurface in adulthood.
Many children, when neglected emotionally, grow into adults who are unable to maintain healthy relationships. Their own children then suffer the same fate, continuing a cycle of emotional deprivation. This is not just a social failure—it is a spiritual failure. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Each one of you is a shepherd and each one of you is responsible for his flock…” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
Parents are the first counsellors, the first teachers, and the first friends of their children. If they fail in their role, the damage ripples through generations.
In the absence of parental availability, a teacher’s responsibility increases. A teacher should not only educate minds but also embrace hearts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was known for his kindness toward children. Anas ibn Malik said:
“I served the Prophet for ten years. Not once did he say to me ‘Uff’… nor did he say anything that I had done, ‘Why did you do that?’” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Such gentleness is what moulds hearts. Our classrooms must reflect that prophetic character—safe, encouraging, and full of compassion.
The early scholars of Islam deeply understood the psychology of children. Hazrat Ali (RA) said:
“Discipline your children differently at each stage—play with them for the first seven years, teach them for the next seven, and befriend them for the final seven.”
Such wisdom reminds us that emotional connection must evolve with age, but must never disappear.
We often tell teachers, “This is your responsibility.” But are we, as parents and a community, fulfilling ours? The Quran and Sunnah are clear about the kind of nurturing and upbringing children deserve. Our goal is not just to raise doctors or engineers, but emotionally intelligent, spiritually aware human beings who are pleasing to Allah.
“And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.’” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:74)
This Qur’anic dua reflects the longing not just for obedient children, but for a family that is a source of peace and comfort.
Let us remember: children are not just our present—they are our future and our Sadaqah Jaariyah (ongoing charity). If we raise them with the love, attention, and values taught by our religion, they will become beacons of goodness both in this world and the next.
“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1631)
Let our children be that righteous legacy. Let our homes become the haven they seek. And let every teacher and parent remember that the hearts of children are sacred trusts—and Allah will ask us how we honoured them
The writer is an educator
Tehmeena yousuf
te***********@***il.com