Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii Masjid, Children and the Quran
Honorable Muslims!
Children are both a great blessing and a sacred trust bestowed upon us by our Almighty Lord. As the Qur’an describes them, they are “the adornment of this worldly life”i , and in the words of our Prophet (saw), they are a source of goodness and benevolence who keep our record of deeds open.ii Raising children with love for Allah and His Messenger, and adorning their lives with noble character, is a foremost responsibility of families, society, and all relevant institutions. The Messenger of Allah (saw) reminds us of this duty, saying, وَإِنَّ لِوَلَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا “Indeed, your child has a right over you.”iii
Esteemed Muslims!
It is their rightful due upon us that we raise our children as devoted servants of Allah and as individuals who bring benefit to their families and society. Just as it is important to strive for our children’s worldly success, it is equally important and valuable to instill in them an awareness of what is halal and haram, and to protect them from sins. The Prophet (saw) emphasizes this by saying, “No parent has ever given a gift more valuable to their child than good upbringing.”iv
Dear Believers!
In the age we live in, our children and young people face threats more than ever before. False ideologies, the imposition of secular lifestyles, social agendas that corrupt our moral values, and corrupting media content—all work tirelessly to pull our youth away from their national and spiritual heritage. Virtual gambling, violent games, and contents against natural human disposition spread across digital platforms expose our children to moral decay, isolation, and the scourge of “peer bullying”. These dangerous movements estrange our youth from their families, nation, and faith, turning them into callous, indifferent, and aimless souls.
Dear Muslims!
The surest way to shield our children and young people from all these evils is to raise them with the noble character of our Prophet (saw). In accordance with the our Almighty Lord’s commandment, “O believers! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…”v, it is our duty to safeguard them from every harmful influence. By following the Messenger of Allah’s (saw) advice, “When they reach seven years of age, train your children to pray.”vi , it is our duty to nurture in our children a consciousness of worship. In accordance with the verse, وَلَا تَرْكَـنُٓوا اِلَى الَّذ۪ينَ ظَلَمُوا “And do not be inclined to the wrongdoers.”vii it is our duty to instil in them the resolve to stand against oppression, support the oppressed, and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to faith, homeland, and nation.
Let us not forget that if we do not equip their pure minds and hearts with sound and authentic religious knowledge, they will fall prey to countless superstitions, falsehoods, and misguided ideas. This, in turn, would burden us with a grave responsibility in this world and lead to bitter disappointment in the Hereafter.
I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following hadith of our beloved Prophet (saw): “Learn the Qur’an, recite it, and teach it. Whoever learns, recites, and acts upon it is like a container filled with musk, spreading fragrance everywhere…”viii
[i] Kahf, 18/46.
[ii] Muslim, Wasiyyah, 14.
[iii] Muslim, Siyam, 183.
[iv] Tirmidhi, Birr, 33.
[v] Tahrim, 66/6.
[vi] Abu Dawud, Salat, 26.
[vii]Hud, 11/113.
[viii]Tirmidhi, Fada’il al-Qur’an, 2.
Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii Masjid, Children and the Quran PDF
