hildren are Allah's greatest gift to couples. Their presence in a house is blessing. Their contribution to matrimonial security is immense. Those are children for you. They can sometimes act as teachers just as they can as students. They learn fast. They teach fast. They are a major security factor for parents in any given environment.
Whether in Ramadan or outside it, children have both temporal and spiritual roles to play in a matrimonial home. And with such roles, they sometimes create hope for humanity and sometimes, they signal despair. They are the greatest asset in the possession of parents in time of peace. They are also the greatest weapon for their parents against the forces of Satan.
Because of their innocence, they pave way for Allah’s forgiveness and quick acceptance of prayers. And, most importantly, children guarantee the continuity of man's existence on earth. It is only with them that the fulfilment of today's promise is possible tomorrow.
In the Qur'an, children are mentioned many times and most often with reverence. They are treated in that glorious book as a major issue in the life of couples. As orphans, they do not only have a role to play, they also compel some adults to play a role relating to them.
As heirs to their parents, they have substantial shares in inheritance. Muslim children are like cubs. They follow the footstep of their parents or guardians very scrupulously to the admiration of the latter. Children are often with their parents during the five daily prayers. They watch their parents as the latter give charity to the poor. They accompany them to public lectures and Islamic social gatherings.
And, in Ramadan, children are part of the Muslims' total spiritual package. They wake up with them at night. They fast with them in the day. They break the fast with them at sunset. They join their parents at Tafsir and night lectures. They participate in Laylatul Qadr and in giving Zakatul Fitr to the poor.
In all these activities, they are supposed to be encouraged. Therefore, at the tender age of seven, they should be guided to fast even if for half a day. And when they reach the age of 10 they should be strengthened in faith and in religious deeds through fasting. They should be provided with necessities of life both on the temporal and spiritual grounds. With these, they will grow up to become the fulfilment of their parents' dreams.
It must be noted that most children grow up as good or bad citizens by emulating their parents. A child is therefore what his parents make him/her. If advantage of Ramadan is not taken by parents to mould their children into good Muslims what other platform will be used? Your child is your sun. Make hey while it shines.
Dr. Femi Abbas is a columnist at The NATION Newspaper and can be reached via: e-mail: femabbas756@gmail.com Tel: 08115708536 (Text only) 
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