Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Prophet’s Attitude towards Children and Youth

This book is corrected and edited by Al-Hassanain (p) Institue for Islamic Heritage and Thought

• Preface
• Foreword
• Part 1: The Prophet’s Attitude towards Children
• Chapter One: Upbringing
• The Importance of Upbringing
• How to Begin the Child’s Upbringing and Instruction
• The Prophet as an Example for the People
• Respecting the Child’s Personality
• 1. Asking Children’s Views
• 2. Sociability
• 3. Fulfillment of Promises
• 4. Familiarizing the Child with the Difficulties of Life
• 5. Appreciating What the Child Does
• 6. Rising in the Presence of Children
• 7. Foresight for Children
• 8. Teaching Religious Edicts
• Effects of Instructing the Child in the Right Way
• Chapter Two: Affection
• Affection for Children
• The Prophet’s Affection for Children
• The Prophet’s Affection for Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn
• The Prophet Prayed for Children
• Tolerating Children
• The Prophet’s Gifts to Children
• The Way the Prophet Treated the Children of Martyrs
• The Way the Prophet Treated his Children during Prayer
• Chapter Three: Kissing Children
• Justice for Children
• The Prophet Kissed Fatimah
• When Should One Stop Kissing Children?
• The Prophet Kissed Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn
• Chapter Four: Playing with Children
• The Playing Instinct in Children
• The Prophet Played with Children
• Giving a Ride
• The Prophet Let Children Ride on His Steed
• Chapter Five: Feeding, Greeting and Punishing Children
• Greeting Children
• Did the Prophet Punish Children?
• Notes
• Part 2: The Prophet’s Attitude Towards Youth
• Chapter One: The Life Force of Youth
• The Value of Youth
• Attention to Youth
• Some Points
• Questions about One’s Youth on the Day of Resurrection
• Chapter Two: Young People are Attracted to Religion
• The Effect of Religious Teachings upon the Youth
• The Result of Inattention to the Religious Feelings of the Youth
• The Prophet and Youth
• The Struggle of the Youth against the Ideas of the Age of Ignorance
• Chapter Three: State Employment of Youth
• ‘Ali ibn Abu Ṭalib
• ‘Ali Risks His Life in the Prophet’s Bed
• The Battle of Badr
• The Battle of Uhud
• The Battle of Khandaq (Ahzab)
• The Conquest of Khaybar by ‘Ali
• The Conquest of Mecca
• Ja‘far ibn Abu Talib
• Mus‘ab ibn ‘Umayr
• ‘Atab ibn Usayd, the Governor of Mecca
• Mu‘adh ibn Jabal
• Usamah ibn Zayd
• Usamah’s Story - The Outcome
• Chapter Four: Characteristics of Youth
• The Characteristics of Faithful Young People
• 1. Familiarity with Religious Precepts
• 2. Familiarity with the Qur’an
• 3. Familiarity with the Words of the Imams
• 4. Acquiring Knowledge
• 5. Worship
• 6. Repentance
• 7. Hard Work
• 8. Pleasant Appearance
• Threats to Youth
• 1. Inattention to the Power of Youth
• 2. The Transient Nature of Youth
• How to Tackle the Mistakes of Youth
• Imam Khomeini’s Wise Advice to Young People
• Notes