THE METHOD OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ IN EDUCATING CHILDREN

THE METHOD OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ IN EDUCATING CHILDREN

The method of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in educating children has become a separate reference for Muslims.

From Ibn Abbas (RA), he said:
Rasulullah Shallallahu Allaihi Wassalam said :
“Teach, make it easy, don't make it difficult, give good news, don't give threats. If one of you is angry, please be quiet."

(Narrated by Ahmad and Bukhari)

There are many educational methods that can be deduced from the hadiths of the Prophet Muhamamd Shalallahu Allaihi Wassalam and also from The Prophet's social behavior towards children.

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'alla say...

ولقد اٰتينا لقمٰن الحكمة ان اشكر لله و من يّشكر فإنّما يشكر لنفسه و من كفر فإنّ الله غنيّ حميد (١٢)

وإذ قال لقمٰن لابنه و هو يعظه يٰبنيّ لا تشرك بالله إنّ الشّرك لظلم عظيم (١٣)

و وصّين الإنسان بوالديه حملته أمّه وهنا على وهن وّ فصٰله في عامين أن اشكرلي و لوالديك إليّ المصير (١٤)

و إن جاهدٰك على أن تشرك بي ما ليس لك به علم فلا تطعهما و صاحبهما في الدّنيا معروفا وّ اتّبع سبيل من أناب إليّ ثمّ إليّ مرجعكم فأنبّئكم بما كنتم تعملون (١٥)

يٰبنيّ إنّها إنتك مثقال حبّة من خردل فتكن في صخرة أو في السّمٰوٰت أو في الأرض يأت بها الله إنّالله لطيف خبير (١٦)

يٰبنيّ أقم الصّلٰوة و أمر بالمعروف و انه عن المنكر و اصبر على ما أصابك إنّ ذٰلك من عزم الأمور (١٧)

و لا تصعّر خدّك للنّاس و لا تمش في الأرض مرحا إنّ الله لا يحبّ كلّ مختال فخور (١٨)

و اقصد بمشيك و اغضض من صوتك إنّ أنكر الأصوات لصوت الحمير (١٩)

(QS. Luqman :12-19)

12. And indeed we have given Luqman wisdom, namely:
"Give thanks to Allah. And whoever is grateful (to Allah), then verily he is grateful for himself; and whoever is not grateful (kufr), then verily Allah is rich, the most praiseworthy".

13. And (remember) when Luqman said to his son, when he taught him a lesson:

"O my son, do not associate with Allah, Verily associating partners with (Allah) is truly a great tyranny".

14. And We commanded men (to do good) to their two mothers; her mother had conceived her in a state of increasing weakness, and weaned her in two years.
Thank Me and your two mothers and fathers, only to Me is your return.

15. And if both of them compel you to associate with Me something that you do not know about, then do not follow both of them, and associate both of them in the world well, and follow the path of those who return to Me, then only to Me will you return. I tell you what you have done.

16. (Luqman said): "O my son, Verily if there is (an action) as heavy as a mustard seed, and it is in a rock or in the sky or in the earth, surely Allah will bring it (revenge). Verily Allah is the most subtle, the most knowing.

17. O my child, establish prayers and tell (humans) to do good and prevent (them) from evil deeds and be patient with what befalls you. Indeed, this includes things that are required (by Allah).

18. And do not turn away from men (because of pride), and do not walk the earth with pride. Surely Allah does not like those who are proud anymore.

19. And walk modestly and keep your voice low. Indeed, as bad as sound is the voice of a donkey.

Apart from that, something was taken from the direct dialogue between him and the children or to the fathers about how to treat their children.

According to Muhammad Nur Abdul Hafiz Suwaid in the book Prophetic Parenting; The way of the Prophet Educating Children (2010),

The method of the Prophet Muhammad in educating children can be realized in several ways, including the following:

📌First, show a good role model...

Exemplary education is a method that has proven to be influential and has proven to be the most successful in preparing and shaping the moral, spiritual and social ethos aspects of children.

Parents are the best figures in the eyes of children where the actions of their parents are always imitated by them.

A good role model will have a big impact on a child's personality into adulthood.
This is because the majority of children who are imitated come from their parents.
In fact, we can be sure that the most dominant influence must come from the teachings and behavior of the parents.

Rasulullah Shallallahu Allaihi Wassalam
instruct both parents to be good role models in behaving and behaving honestly when dealing with children.

Why?
Because, children will always pay attention and imitate the attitudes and behavior of adults.

If children see their parents behave honestly, then they will grow and develop in an environment filled with honesty and so on. For this reason, both parents should always be required to be good role models for their children.

During the growth period, a child will always pay attention to the attitudes and words of his parents.
So, parents are required to carry out the commands of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'alla and the Sunnahs of His Messenger.

Exemplary should be displayed by parents so that children will be encouraged to imitate them. Unfortunately, this is not easy to do. Therefore, every parent should refrain and keep himself from things that make him go to hell. Self-preservation is meant by the efforts of a father or mother in the context of presenting uswatun hasanah to their children.

📌Second, find the right time to give direction...

Both parents should understand that choosing the right time to give direction to children will have a significant effect on the outcome of the counsel.
Therefore, choosing the right and effective time to ease the task of parents in educating their children must be done.

This is done because at any time the child can accept his advice, but also sometimes at other times he will strongly refuse.
If parents are able to direct the child's heart to accept it, the direction given will find success in educational endeavors.

Rasulullah Shallallahu Allaihi Wassalam
always pay close attention to the right time and place to direct children, build children's thinking patterns, direct children's behavior and foster good morals in children.

When the child is not ready to receive advice, parents should postpone it first.
The closeness between parents and children is also necessary so that there are no disputes or fights that occur when giving directions.

The method of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in educating children is not about children being controlled by parents, but about how parents and children can work together in living and interpreting life to achieve the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'alla...