When a child is born, he sees only two people by his side who are with him at all stages of life, willing to help him until death takes them apart, want his success in everything, and are open to any harm for the sake of his success. They give him the basic teachings of life and try to prepare him in the best way to enter society. Their names are the first words a baby utters: mom and dad. In this article, we are going to talk about the place given to the father in Islam and World Father’s Day 2023. In Islam’s view, the father’s role is as the head of the family who is responsible to both his wife and children. The presence of a father figure is vital in the family system, especially as breadwinner. Before going to the topic of parents’ status in Islam, we should mention that Allah also commanded the followers of previous divine religions to respect their parents and that this commandment of Allah was along with several other commandments, including monotheism; Because loving and caring about parents is a natural human trait and is restricted neither to time nor people or religion. Allah says, “…Do not worship except Allah, and to parents do good…” (The Holy Quran 2:83) “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good …” (The Holy Quran 4:36) “Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination” (The Holy Quran 31:14) When you think carefully about these verses, you can see an epic image; Allah places parents in the Muslim’s life right after His high position and goodness to parents beside monotheism. Allah never singles out a parent but mentions both of them meaning that the mother’s placement is as high as the father’s in Islam. Undoubtedly, the dignity of the father is unique before Allah; To the extent that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) said: The father is in the middle of paradise, it is up to you to either keep it or waste it. This means that achieving divine grace depends on the consent of the father. His position and respect are highly recommended in such a way that it cannot be easily overlooked, as far as the Islamic lifestyle is concerned. Of course, in today’s world, parents are not valued as they should be, but in the school of Islam and in various verses that we read above, their placement is high. This position is so great that the Prophet (PBUH&HP) has introduced himself as the fathers of this nation. If a parent curses his child, he will not have a way to heaven. Not only will he not have a way, but he will be deprived of the smell of heaven from afar. One of the moral precepts of Islam is to keep the name and memory of parents alive. Hafez, one of the famous Persian poets said on this topic: How to nurture the sweetness of your heart // When you do not remember your father, you stone-hearted//. The main responsibilities/roles of a father in Islam are . (a) Become a family leader: The most important role of a father is as a family leader. As a leader, the father must set a good example to his family, both wife and kids. (b) Give all the best for the child: A father has rights to do for his children. These rights are giving them a good name, educating the child, and giving a good position. (c) Father as breadwinner: The role of father to be the backbone of the family was already written in the Holy Book of Quran. Father is obliged to support his wife and children with a lawful sustenance. (d) As a fair husband: The others important role of father as the husband is to be a fair husband. A husband must be fair to his wife. Especially if he has more than one wife. (e) Looking for a groom for his daughter: In addition to being the backbone of the family, one important father role is to find a good groom for his daughter. Below here is one of the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrated by Abu Daud. “The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘alaihi Wa Sallam said:” He who keeps three daughters (or two also), then he educates and marries them, and does well with them. then he will get heaven.” (Abu Dawud) (f) Father’s duty to his wife and children: The duty of a father is to feed and clothe his wife and children as well as possible. (g) Dad’s advice: This Quranic verse from Surah’s Joseph is proof of the prophet Joseph AS is a dutiful son to his father. He listened to his father’s advice not to tell him about his dream to his other brothers. “He said (Joseph’s father), ‘O, My son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan to man is a manifest enemy.’” (HQ 12 Verse 12:5) (g) Obey your father’s words: Father is one of our parents, just like a mother, we must always be filial and obedient to them. One example is the following story of Nabie Ibrahim and his son Ishmael. Here Allah says in the Quran. “And when he reached with him (the age of) exertion, he said, ‘O, my son indeed I have seen in a dream that I (must) sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ His son’s said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me if Allah wills of the steadfast’.” (Verse 37:102) (h) Pray for the father: Praying for both parents is highly recommended by our Prophet (PBUH), including to the father. Allah says in Quran. “Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.” (Verse 14:41) (i) Being fully responsible: Every parent including a father should be fully responsible for the Islamic development of their child and future. In the Hereafter, every father will be held accountable for this. Below here is the following hadith. “Every one of you is a caretaker, and every one of you will be held accountable for what is the responsibility of his care: A leader is a keeper, he will be held accountable for what is the responsibility of his care. A man is also a keeper in his family, he will be held accountable for what is the responsibility of his care. And a woman is a keeper in her husband’s home, she will be held accountable for what is the responsibility of her care.” ( Bukhari) (j) Reminds family members to perform prayer: Father in addition to education also plays a role in teaching the religion of his children. The faith given since childhood is the foundation of religion. With religion, it is expected that children can be a pious child. “O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, (all) that is of the matters (requiring) determination” ( Luqmaan Verse 31:17) (k) Honoring the daughters: Having one or two girls is a test. However, if parents can do good, give a good living and be patient with them, Almighty God will set a heaven for him and free them (the parents) from hell. (k) The punishment of ignoring parents: According to holy Prophet (PBUH) anyone who hates and ignores his own parents is like a disbeliever.“Do not neglect (hate and stay away from) your parents. Whoever neglects his parents then he is (like) a disbeliever.” (Muslim) (l) The reward applies the virtues to the parents: For anyone, a Muslim whose parents died or one of them died and they (father or mother) have not performed Hajj or have debts, if (the child) is capable, is obliged to pay off the debt or perform the pilgrimage for both of them. Allah Almighty will promise them to belong to the people who practice virtue. “Whoever pays for both his parents or pay off his debts then he will be raised by God on the Day of Judgment from the group of people who practice virtue.”
( Ath-Thabarani and Ad-Daar Qutni). (m) The decision is in the hands of the father and mother: Parents, fathers, and mothers are the people to determine the future of their children. In a hadith mentions that every baby born is sacred (natural disposition). However, the decision to make their child a Muslim or not is their decision. “Each baby is born in a holy state (sacred). His father and mother were the ones who made them Jews, Christians or Magi (worshipers and idols)”.(Bukhari) (n). Love and give affection: According to holy Prophet (PBUH), “Love your children. When promising something to them, fulfill it. The only thing they know is you who give them sustenance.”(Narrated by Ath-Thahawi). (o). Fair in giving gifts: According to holy Prophet (PBUH), “Equalize your gift to your children. If I was going to give priority to one another I would give priority to giving to the women.”(girls) ( Ath-Thabrani) (p). Celebrate the newborn baby with aqiqah: According to holy Prophet (PBUH), “Every child is liable with (ransom) aqiqah (one or two goats/sheep/lamb) slaughtered at the age of seven days and shaved head hair (partially or wholly) and named.” ( An-Nasaa’i) (q). The position of a father figure: According to holy Prophet (PBUH), “The eldest brother (eldest)has his position as a father.” (Al-Baihaqi and Ath-Thabarani) (r). The attitude that fathers must have: Fathers should learn from a young man named Luqman Al-Hakim whose name is enshrined in the Holy Book of Quran. This young man always used the call of love for his child. In addition, he also taught his son to not associate partners with Allah SWT and taught his children to always be humble. Hopefully, these points will provide lessons and insights on how important the role of father is as a parent in the family system. Honor your father as you honor your mother, for without them, we will not be a successful and pious person. Father’s Day is a celebration that honours the role of fathers and forefathers. It is a modern holiday, though the ancient Romans did have a tradition of honouring fathers, every February, but only those who had deceased. Around the world, Father’s Day is celebrated on different dates, though the day is celebrated in a similar manner, usually involving giving gifts to fathers and family activities. The most popular date for Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June. This date was first observed in the USA and has since been adopted by many countries. In Spain, Italy and Portugal, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19th, which is the Feast of St. Joseph who is the patron saint of fathers. In Germany, Father’s Day is celebrated on the same date as Ascension Day. Across Scandinavia, the tradition of a Father’s Day was adopted in the 1930s. Originally the American date was used, but in 1949 the Nordic countries decided to move it to the second Sunday in November. This was partly to place it half a year away from Mother’s Day but also it was chosen to increase sales in an otherwise quiet trading period before Christmas. The only country who didn’t fall in line was Denmark. They forgot to inform the public and press about the date change, so Father’s Day remained on the same day as their other early June holiday, Constitution Day. In Taiwan, Father’s Day is celebrated on August 8th as the Chinese for eight is ‘ba’, while a colloquial word for father is ‘ba-ba’ – so the eighth day of the eighth month sounds similar to ‘daddy’. This was also the date for Father’s day in China, but the date was moved to the third Sunday in June.
The traditional functions of fathers are gradually shifting in modern society. The modern-day father fulfils many more roles than just those of an authority figure. They fulfil various functions, such as those of friends, philosophers, and guides. In brief, “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light by showering his unconditional love.” Father is an ideal person in every individual’s life. May Allah protect our families and we pray to Almighty Allah that no trouble fall on our parents in this world or next. Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers out there.
Worldwide the third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father’s Day. This year, Father’s day will be celebrated on 18th June 2023. It is a day that honours dads and father figures of all generations (including grandfathers, great-grandfathers, stepfathers, and foster fathers). It recognises the positive impact that they have had on society by thanking and greeting them. Children depend on their fathers for emotional, physical, financial, and social well-being. For daughters, the father is the ideal man in the world and also the first man they adore; for sons, the father is an idol and the most muscular man they aspire to imitate. Father knowingly or unknowingly the pillars of the child who look after their child uprooting. Father’s Day is celebrated as an opportunity to express greetings and gestures by thanking our precious fathers for all of their unconditional love and affection. Observance of Father’s Day makes fathers feel that their contributions are acknowledged in society and by their children. It is impossible to underestimate or ignore the importance of a father’s role in a family. Traditionally, on the occasion of father’s day, families gather and celebrate the father figures in their lives. In today’s era, father’s day is a relatively modern holiday, so various families celebrate father’s day as per their traditions. Many people send or give greeting cards or traditionally masculine gifts such as sports equipment or clothing, electronic gadgets, outdoor cooking supplies, and housekeeping. Many schools even assist their students in preparing a handmade card or small gift for their fathers in the days and weeks leading up to Father’s Day. Research shows that engaged fathers have a positive influence on their children. Academic success, better social development, and higher self-esteem are some of the effects on children who have dads involved in their everyday life. The influence of a father’s involvement originates from early intervention and extends into adolescence and young adulthood. Several studies find that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with better verbal skills, intellectual functioning, cognitive development, academic achievement, and better career outcomes in a child’s life. The traditional functions of fathers are gradually shifting in modern society. The modern-day father fulfils many more roles than just those of an authority figure. They fulfil various functions, such as those of friends, philosophers, and guides. In brief, “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light by showering his unconditional love.” Father is an ideal person in every individual’s life. May Allah protect our families and we pray to Almighty Allah that no trouble fall on our parents in this world or next. Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers out there.
(The author is Professor Statistics at S K University Of Agriculture Sciences & Technology Kashmir-SKUAST[K] Srinagar, The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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