WAMY - Philippines

A parent is said to be responsible for his child’s intellectual capabilities. This doesn’t mean that the parent should do the study for the children. This is such in a way that parent should provide the most possible things which will help him for his learns considering that whatever he provides are in his reach.  A parent is responsible to give his child the best as long as it is not haram - the opposite of halal, and as long as the parent knows that it is good and beneficial to the both of them. One of the things that a parent is responsible of is the emotional aspect. Studies show, children without knowing and experiencing the environment where parents are around are prone to psychological problems and distractions. People who are in this kind of dilemma are usually seen to be weak and emotionally unprepared and lead them to be socially depicted. Parents have the ability to let their children feel emotions like love and care. A statement was made – “The son was cruel for his parents were cruel to him.” Some people would naturally think that a son’s attitude would be the reflection of his’ parents. Socially depicted is another way of saying the lack of knowledge about the ways or processes how to socialize. This doesn’t necessarily means that people should go to school and get a formal education of socialization. It simply means how you get yourself with a group of friends, peers, and organization. It’s on how you put and recognize yourself as a part of the society. Parents are capable of letting their children know the essence of putting one’s self in these things because after all, human beings believe in the saying, “No man is an island.” Some things are learned through friends and of course, society. Parents are responsible to let their children know the morals should always be present wherever they are. Pride has never been an issue but morality. Importantly, a parent is responsible for the spiritual aspect of his children. A Muslim parent is not just responsible but is obliged to show how to make it to the right path – that is ISLAM, to his son. A lot of people especially the youth are now getting blind from this reality because of parent’s presence and discipline and other contributing factors. This is actually one of the main issues today among numbers of Muslim youth in some places.

Generally, Parents are responsible for the totality of their children’s states. This is said so because parents have the greatest influence to their children. According to survey, some of the youth are saying that they are recopies of their parents. It only shows how this influence could get through the veins of a child. Biologically, every drop of blood a child came from his parents. All of these things, aspects are being fulfilled by parents.

Going to the real issue, a question should be made. Does Muslim Youth still pay back to the goodness of their parents have been giving to them? Unfortunately, there are those who do not. They would probably choose being opinionated rather than seeing themselves as a child.  If someone would actually count his parents’ goodness, it might take time. The mother, for instance, had tried to endure all the pain for the 9-month stay of her child in her womb. As the Surah Luqman 031..014 (Yusuf Ali translation), says And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. The father, on the other side, would do all the hard works to provide the best for his family. Parents’ have sleepless night that could not be paid with any amount of money. A child would always be in debt from his parents.  A child could give material things, care and love but could never get paid back to his parents and be equal to the endurance, hardships, and efforts they give you but still, there are ways which are at least show how a child is grateful for having his parents. One of these things is showing effort. If a parent would see his child doing all the efforts to make something good and even better, he will probably feel happy and overwhelmed. Who wouldn’t be filled with joy in that way? A parent shall be fluttered if all of a child’s successes were recognized and his parent’s was recognized. Dedication matters. Respect them; they’ll love you more. Whatever a child dedicates to his parent, a parent will surely be pleasured. As Surah AL-ISRA (THE NIGHT JOURNEY)17.023 (Yusuf Ali translation)  says,
Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor.  Whenever you make your parents one of your priorities and important, they’ll be heartily happy. Whenever you pray, you have to include your parents.
At present, the world experiences economical crisis, as long your parents see you as a true Muslim…they’ll never get tired of being your parents. When parents get older and that they can’t take care of themselves, you’ll surely get the chance to help them as much as you can. Least things you think you can do for your parents, but ways of showing your gratitude towards your parents as recognition of the goodness they give you.