Video on Family Relationships

http://www.youtube.com/user/ICNATV#p/c/94C028DF302C2BC6/14/GgT3AQdv3pg

Natural Muslim Parenting

Goals for Muslim Families to Strive Towards -

• Recognizing the Majesty of the Creator, Allah subhannahu wa ta'ala

• Recognizing pregnancy as an ayah (sign) of Allah's power and creation 

 

• Recognizing that Allah subhannahu wa ta'ala has perfectly created women's bodies for childbearing and nursing

 

• Recognizing pregnancy as a natural physical and spiritual phenomena given to women by our Creator

 

• Making a commitment to a natural childbirth, drug free and invasive procedures, by following the example of Maryam (pbuh) in the Qur'an

 

• Making a firm commitment to Ar Rada' (breastfeeding)

 

• Recognizing that Ar Rada' is Allah's gift to children, and that it is the best way to feed and nurture a young infant

 

• Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in welcoming the newborn child

 

• Using the "family bed" in order to promote sleep, nighttime nursing, and bonding between mother, father, and baby

 

• Supporting the right of the Muslim mother to stay at home to nurture and educate her young children

 

• Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in gently disciplining children

 

• Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in playing and joking with our children

 

• Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in showing tenderness and mercy to our children

• Making a firm commitment to raising our children in an environment free from toxic relationships, food and influences

• Making a commitment to ensure that our children receive the best education we can give them, without compromising their modesty, innocence and childhood 

• Supporting educational programs, schools and Islamic homeschooling environments that honor Islam & The Big Picture of Tawhidic education

• Making a commitment to our family's health by promoting excercise and play, creating a balance with foods, activity, rest and work

• Teaching our children to pray & praying with them

• Giving our children the gift of understanding al Qur'an and the Deen

 

• Seperating older boys and girls from one another so that they can remain in a state of haya' (modesty, shyness) as commanded by Allah subhannahu wa ta'ala and His Messenger (PBUH)

• Teaching our children about the sanctity of marriage and marital relations by striving to be compassionate, moral, and by modeling partnership

• Encouraging young girls to wear the hijab and cover their adornments

• Encouraging young men to guard their modesty

• Recognizing that children are an Amana (trust) from Allah subhannahu wa ta'ala, born in a state of complete fitra, and that it is our duty, as Muslim adults, to protect, nurture, and educate them so that they can grow up as strong Muslim men and women.

Reflections for Parents Raising Children

Every day, my actions, reactions, and values are being imprinted on my children. It is my responsibility to conduct myself in such a way that will be worthy of their imitation.


Self-Reflection Questions
1. What is my vision for my children’s future?
2. What values are my children learning from my behavior?
3. Are all my actions worthy of imitation?
4. How can I improve my actions? 

Bread Feeds the Body but, Flowers Feed the Soul

“Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.”
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

From time to time - we can get caught up in the busyness of the world around us and forget that we have choice. We can choose to create a nurturing, slower paced childhood and home life for ourselves and our children. We can choose to slow down and reflect on the natural beauty that surrounds us. We can pause in wonderment of a simple vase of flowers or enjoy a small dab of Rose oil before prayer. We can find ways to invite beauty and simple pleasures into our lives. We can make family time a priority.

"Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world." Mother Theresa

Oh, Allah may peace prevail in this home. May our words be gentle, our actions loving, and our ways mindful and may all our deeds be pleasing to You. Amen