Stages of Development

Three Stages of Life

Islam has divided the upbringing of a child into three stages from birth to age 21. The division is based on the following hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w.): “The child is the master for seven years; and a slave for seven years and a vizier for seven years; so if he grows into a good character within 21 years, well and good; otherwise leave him alone because you have discharged your responsibility before Allah.”

The same hadith has been explained: “Let your child play upto seven years; and keep him with you (for education and training) for another seven years; then if he succeeds
(well and good); otherwise, there is no good in him.”

The First Stage: from birth to age seven

 

As the first stage is a care-free period, the child is to be considered  as “master” of the parents. The Prophet said, “The child is the master for seven years.” This is the age of being a child and playing; he or she is not yet fully ready for education through formal instruction.

What has been said above, however, does not mean that a child cannot grasp or understand
anything; not at all. The child is constantly influenced by the atmosphere in which he lives; he/she learns by observation and imitation; therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the parents to provide good examples by their own behaviour. The Prophet said, “Respect your children and teach them good
behaviour, Allah will forgive (your sins).

Although the child is not ready for formal instructions, religious issues —very basic and simple— should be introduced to them gradually. “Graduality” is the most important point to remember at this stage of life. The following hadith is very significant to understand what is meant by gradually:

“When the child reaches 3 years of age, teach him seven times to recite la ilaha il-lal lāh.

Then leave him at that till he is 3 years, 7 months and 20 days old; then train him to say Muhammadun rasu-lul lāh.

Then leave him at that till he completes 4 years, then teach him seven times to say sal-lal
lāhu `ala Muhammadin wa āli Muhammad.

Then leave him at that till he reaches the age of 5 years; then see if he can distinguish between the right and the left hand. When he knows the difference, then make him face qiblah and tell him to do sajdah.

This is to continue till he is 6 years of age. Then he should be told to pray and taught
ruku` and sajdah.

When he completes 7 years, then he should be asked to wash his face and hands, and then told to pray.

This will continue till he reaches the age of 9 years, when he should be taught proper ritual ablution for prayer and proper salāt

The Second Stage: from age eight to fourteen

This is the age when the child's mind can grasp logical reasoning and is developed for formal
education—it is very important that the child not only be educated but, at the same time, he or she should be raised with proper Islamic ethics. The Prophet emphasized that at this age the parents should be strict in disciplining their children.

In the sayings of the Prophet (s.a.w.), three things have been emphasized for the male children in the second stage of upbringing: 1. literacy for secular knowledge; 2. religious knowledge and  3. physical
education. For example, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “It is the right of the male child on his father to...teach him the Book of Allah...and riding and swimming.” Girls require similar lessons.

Religious education is very crucial at this stage so that the child's religious beliefs are based on sound reasoning and firm foundation. Make haste in teaching your youngsters hadith before they are approached and  misguided.

Literacy, and seeking of secular and religious knowledge has been equally emphasized for the
girls in our ahadith. However, instead of physical education, the ahadith talk about those specific subjects which would help the girls in becoming good wives and educated mothers. The destiny of the future generations of the ummah, after all, depends on the mothers who are learned, informed, and aware of their role in establishing a society which is always conscious of Allah's presence.

The Third Stage: from age fifteen to twenty-one.

The Prophet described this stage of  upbringing as follows: “The child...is an adviser for [the next] seven years.” At the age of fourteen, fifteen and up, a Muslim child is expected to have become a responsible teenager. Therefore, the Prophet says that the parents should now treat him or her more like a ‘friend’.

 

At this stage, the parents should guide and help their teenage child in make correct decisions
for themselves. In mid- and late-teens, the child may start the specific training or education for the career that he/she intends to pursue.. It is also the time when the child is nearing the age of marriage.

At the age of twentyone, the parents’ responsibility towards their children comes to an end.
If anyone brings up his children based on Islamic values, that child surely will  be the apple of the parents' eyes and the delight of their hearts; and it is this child who, in his turn, may be hoped to fulfil his obligations towards his parents.

The Prophet said, “A virtuous child is a flower from the flowers of Paradise.” He also said, “Among the good fortunes of a man is the virtuous child.”

This
lesson is based on  Allamah Rizvi's

book The Family Life of Isam