Calling our children to Allah is one of the most difficult activities. At the same time, it is one of the easiest. Its difficulty lies in the selection and employment of the proper approaches and methods to bring about a positive response. The easy aspect of inviting children to Allah is the speed in which children can be positively influenced.
Children are drawn to the latest technology. They appeal readily to movies and to pictures. These can be put to good use in the way we present the message to them. We need to use approaches that are tailored to the age group that we are dealing with. We need to focus on their interest in stories and on novelty – on things that inspire children to ask questions and to want to know more.
The life of our Prophet (peace be upon him) can be used to good effect in inviting children to Islam. A child needs to know early on what will benefit him in life. He needs role models who are a positive influence and who have the power to inspire. The child needs to be brought to understanding in a gradual way. It is wrong to use fear as a means of moral instruction. We need to show Islam as it is – the religion of mercy, goodness, and peace.
We need to recognize our present circumstances. We live in an age where our children are being exposed to vicious attacks against Islam being waged by the media and by society. We also live in an age of swift technological advancement.
We need to take the culture of the society in which we are living into consideration. We need to show how what the child witnesses in society is reflected in what is acceptable in Islam. We should not seek to emphasize conflict between Islamic teachings and societal norms. Let the child draw his own conclusions. Guide the child to realize what is right and wrong on his own. We should not underestimate children by assuming that they are unable to think for themselves. Quite the contrary, thinking skills develop quickly and early in children.
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