God informs us in the Quran that our children are a test in this life.

 

Your wealth and your children are but a test, and with God lies a great reward. 64:15

 

So how exactly are our children a test in this life?

 

 

REMEMBRANCE OF GOD 

 

Firstly, let’s look at the reason why we are here, why God created the earth and the human being:

 

We created the human being from a tiny drop of mixed fluid in order to test him, and We made him able to hear and see. 76:2

 

We are here to be tested for our belief: 

 

Did the people think that they would be left to say “We believe” without them being tested? 29:2

 

We must prove to God that we are always turning to Him, throughout all our tests.

 

We learn of some fine examples in the history of the messengers: 

 

Abraham

Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, extremely kind, and always turning to God. 11:75

 

Job

“Take in your hand a bundle of twigs and strike with it, and do not break your oath.” We found him to be patient indeed and a fine servant. He was always turning to his Lord. 38:44

 

David

Be patient in the face of what they say, and mention Our servant David, the possessor of strength, he was always turning to his Lord. 38:17

 

God must distinguish those who remember Him as well as the remembrance of the Abode:

 

Successful indeed is the one who purified himself, and remembered the name of his Lord and observed the Salat. 87:14-15

 

And mention Our servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were possessors of strength and vision. We distinguished them with a pure quality: the remembrance of the Abode. To Us, they were among the best of the chosen ones. 38:45-47

 

Those who turn away from the remembrance of God are indeed the losers:

 

Had they been straight and upright on the path, We would have provided them with abundant water so that We would test them therein. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will insert him into a mounting punishment. 72:16-17

 

Our children are one of many enjoyments of this worldly life:

 

The love of worldly desires has been adorned for the people, such as women, children, hoarded piles of gold and silver, branded horses, livestock and tilled land. These are the enjoyments of the worldly life, while at God lies the best homecoming. 3:14

 

We must not let our children distract us from remembering God, under any circumstances:

 

O you who believe, do not let your wealth or your children distract you from the remembrance of God. Whoever does that, they are indeed the losers. 63:9

 

 

DUAS

 

We also find duas in the Quran related to our children: 

 

“My Lord, make me and of my offspring observers of the Salat. Our Lord, accept my prayer.” 14:40 

 

“My Lord, enable me to give thanks for Your blessings which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do good deeds that You approve of, and make my offspring righteous for me. I have repented to you, and I am one of the Submitters.” 46:15

 

“Our Lord, grant us in our spouses and offspring a source of joy, and make us a leading example for the reverent.” 25:74

 

If you read these duas and God has responded, are you then thankful to God when your children are a source of joy?

 

Are you grateful to God if your children observe the Salat?  

 

Are you appreciative to God if your children become righteous?

 

Or do you carry on as if you never implored Him?

 

He is the One who created you from one single self and made from it its mate to find tranquillty with her. Then when he covered her, she carried a light load that she walked around with. Then when she got heavier, they implored God their Lord: “If You grant us a good one, we will be among the thankful.” 7:189

 

Abraham set a good example in 14:39 when he praised God for granting him his children:

 

Praise be to God for granting me, despite my old age, Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of prayers. 14:39

 

 

OTHER TESTS

 

Will you share the message to your children to worship of God alone: 

 

And Abraham instructed his children and Jacob with the same: “O my children, God has selected the religion for you, so do not die except as Submitters.” 2:132

 

Or were you witnesses when death came to Jacob, when he said to his children, “What will you worship after I am gone?” They said, “We worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac: One God, and to Him we are Submitters.” 2:133

 

If your children become your enemies by not becoming believers, will you pardon and overlook or disown them? 

 

God advises to pardon and forgive your children if they don’t share the same belief:

 

O you who believe, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so be wary of them. If you pardon, overlook and forgive, then indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful. 64:14

 

Would you be willing to leave your children behind in war? Our children cannot be dearer to us than God and striving in His cause:

 

Say, “If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your relatives, the wealth you have acquired, a business you fear may decline, and the homes you cherish are dearer to you than God and His messenger, and striving in His cause, then just wait until God brings about His command. God does not guide the wicked people.” 9:24

 

Will you hoard children for your own status and image?

 

Know that the worldly life is but play, amusement, zinat, boasting among yourselves, and the desire for increases in wealth and children... 57:20

 

 

LAWS & PROHIBITIONS 

 

There are also laws and prohibitions relating to children that the believers are to follow.

 

You must not kill your children:

 

Say, “Come let me recite to you what your Lord has prohibited for you: Do not associate anything with Him, and treat your parents kindly. Do not kill your children because of poverty; We provide for you and for them. Do not go near immoralities, the apparent of it as well as the concealed. Do not take a life; God has prohibited that, except in the course of justice. That is what He instructed you to do, so perhaps you will reason. 6:151

 

You must leave your children with their decreed share as obliged by God in the Quran:

 

God instructs you regarding your children: the male gets the share of two females. If they are only females and more than two, they get two-thirds of what he leaves behind. If she is a single daughter, she gets one-half. His parents get one-sixth each of what he leaves behind if he has any children... 4:11

 

The male must provide clothing and provision for their infant if he has the means to do so:

 

Mothers may suckle their infants for two full years should they elect to complete such a period of suckling. And he, to whom the child was born, shall provide their provision and clothing equitably. No self is assigned except what is within its capacity… 2:233

 

God also tests those entrusted with orphan’s money until they reach the age of maturity;

 

And test the orphans when they reach the age of marriage, then if you sense sound judgment in them, hand over to them their money. Do not consume it wastefully or quickly before they have grown up. Those who are rich shall not charge any wage, and whoever is poor can charge equitably. When you hand over to them their money, have witnesses in their presence. God suffices as a Reckoner. 4:6

 

Those who consume the orphans' money unjustly are only consuming fire in their bellies, and they will roast in a Blaze. 4:10

 

 

TRAITS

 

There are traits of the believers which should come naturally when it comes to treating people, including children. We must treat people with kindness and compassion, lower our voices and no bad language. 

 

We always want the best for our children, but let’s not let our children distract us from enduring good deeds:

 

Wealth and children are the zinat of the worldly life, but the enduring good deeds yield a better reward from your Lord and better hope. 18:46

 

Indeed, those who believed and did good deeds, they are the best of creatures. 98:7

 

Although our children keep us busy, let’s make sure we continue to remember God frequently. 

 

Let’s call upon our Lord as much as possible. 

 

Thank God for the health and well-being of our children. 

 

Each time you feed or clothe them, thank God for providing for you and your family.

 

Exercise patience wherever possible. 

 

And thank God for each moment of joy.

 

Peace & God Bless